Writing off small items on a schedule E

[pbmunkey]

I have an airbnb. can I write off small items such as a $30 iron under supplies or does it have to be depreciated on the property assets page?

[Vanessa A]

A small item such as a $30 iron would be a miscellaneous expense not a depreciable asset. 

[pbmunkey]

• Is there a Dollar threshold, where a small item would just be considered a miscellaneous expense

[MonikaK1]

It depends. The IRS does allow the expensing of certain items up to $2,500 without having to depreciate them. TurboTax asks questions in the rental interview to help you identify which items to treat as assets subject to depreciation versus current-year expenses.

Rental property is considered a depreciable asset, as are major improvements such as new roofs, landscaping, refrigerators, water heaters, furniture, and so forth. Depreciation lets you deduct the "used up" part of an asset's cost year after year, until the entire cost is used up or you no longer own it. It provides for wear and tear or obsolescence of the property or asset.

Depreciation deducts the asset's cost over time rather than deducting it all at once, as you would when deducting an expense.

Expenses are used to deduct the entire cost of services, utilities, fees, and consumable items (like cleaning supplies, light bulbs, smoke alarms, and batteries).

Deductible expenses include, but aren't limited to:

• Cleaning and cleaning supplies
• Maintenance and related supplies
• Repairs
• Utilities
• Insurance

See this TurboTax help article and this one for more information.

[AmeliesUncle]

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@pbmunkey wrote:

• Is there a Dollar threshold, where a small item would just be considered a miscellaneous expense

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Yes, it is $200 and less.

As was mentioned above, there is an election that could potentially increase that UP TO $2500.  But you would need to (1) qualify for the election (qualifying for it is something that most people forget about) and (2) actually make that election.

[pbmunkey]

I have a lot of items that are $200 or less, such as blow, dryers, and irons, and other things that have a useful life of under one year. Can I classify them along with my regular supplies, such as toilet papers and cleaning supplies or should I put them under misc expenses as you mentioned 

[AmeliesUncle]

Items $200 and less are just "supplies" (or whatever other category applies).  The category rarely matters anyway (except meals).