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hlbaus72
New Member

Do I depreciate a leased vehicle or just deduct the lease expense?

I leased a new vehicle in 2017. In this case do I claim is as an asset and depreciate it, or do I just deduct the lease payments as a rent expense since I'm just leasing the vehicle?

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4 Replies
AmandaR1
New Member

Do I depreciate a leased vehicle or just deduct the lease expense?

Are you in TurboTax Business or are you in Self-Employed/Home & Business?
hlbaus72
New Member

Do I depreciate a leased vehicle or just deduct the lease expense?

Turbo Tax Business
AmandaR1
New Member

Do I depreciate a leased vehicle or just deduct the lease expense?

I provided an answer for both situations below.
AmandaR1
New Member

Do I depreciate a leased vehicle or just deduct the lease expense?

You should not enter your lease payments under rent expenses. Instead, you should use the Vehicle Expenses categories, but your options depend on what type of 'business' you have. 

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If your business is a separate entity (such a Multi-Member LLC, Partnership, S-corp and you are in TurboTax Business) then you should enter your leased vehicle under Auto and Truck Expenses. You'll be able to enter your actual lease payments, as well as other expenses. The business should own the vehicle. 

Enter under: Federal TaxesDeductions Business Expenses Auto and Truck Expenses 

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If your business is taxed as self-employed (such as Sole Proprietor, you receive 1099-misc, or Single Member LLC and you are in TurboTax Self-Employed (online) or TurboTax Home & Business (desktop), then you need to enter your leased vehicle under Vehicle Expenses

If your vehicle is used for part-personal, part-business than you'll be able to choose between the Actual Expense Method and the Standard Rate Method. The software will walk you through comparing your deduction. You'll only enter your lease payments under the Actual Method. The Standard Rate Method simplifies record keeping. 

Note: With a leased vehicle particularly, whatever method you choose this year, you won't be able to switch in future years (until you have a new vehicle).

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