How can I choose straight line depreciation for business SUV. Vehicle wizard chooses 200 DB. Under Assets it won't fill car & truck expenses or vehicle info on form 4562.

[TaxGuyBill]

Out of curiosity, why do you want to use Straight-Line?  If the SUV is under 6000 pounds, it probably won't make a difference (so maybe your SUV is over 6000 pounds?).

[marikomay]

Yes, GVWR over 6000 pounds.

[Coleen3 · Accepted solution]

Keep going in the interview process and you will reach the screen.

[marikomay]

Right, but then it does not let me add car & truck expenses or vehicle info on form 4562 (business/personal miles ratio)? The only way I can see to input that info is using the Vehicle wizard, but then I end up with duplicate entries on line 26 on form 4562.

[TaxGuyBill]

I suspect that can only be done by using the CD/downloaded version of TurboTax and by overriding the forms to change it from 200%DB to Straight Line.

[Coleen3]

Yes, I have been playing with SE for 15 minutes and came to the same conclusion.

[Coleen3]

Recommended Answer (H&B)
To enter an asset using straight-line depreciation, use these steps:

Navigate to the area of your tax return where you want to enter a depreciable asset

Click Add an Asset

On the screen titled Describe This Asset, choose Intangibles, Other property then click Continue

On the screen titled Tell Us a Little More, choose Other asset type then click Continue

On the next screen, enter the details for the description, cost, and date purchased or acquired then click Continue

On the next screen, continue adding details regarding the asset and click Continue

Next, choose the appropriate asset class (class life) and click Continue

Depending on the date the asset was placed in service, there may be an additional screen asking for more information

Next, choose the Straight Line depreciation method, then click Continue

[TaxGuyBill]

@TurboTaxColeen   Your last comment is for a non-vehicle asset.  Vehicles use a separate worksheet (and separate area of TurboTax) to report the miles (the regular assets can't report miles).

[marikomay]

@TaxGuyBill: Bummer, I suspected that might be the case. I already paid for the online version. Do you happen to know if I can switch versions?

[TaxGuyBill]

You should be able to call Customer Support to switch.

[marikomay]

Many thanks.

[pamski40]

I have the same issue.  New son-in-law's preparer used MACRS in yr 1,2. Year 2 business use down to 23% and he did recapture. I have year 3 with 20% business use.  I have correct prior deprecation and increase A/B by the recapture, but I need to get turbo tax to switch to straight line.  I have CD/downloaded version. How do I override the MACRS? 

[AmeliesUncle]

If the vehicle is under 50% use, the program should automatically use Straight-Line, and you don't need to do anything else.

[JSV]

TurboTax should use straightline automatically for cars used for business under 50% in the first year, but it doesn't!  I can't see how to change it.  It's a terrible interface!