Tax Year Prior to 2020: In home office deduction, what is the appropriate "placed in service" date for permanent improvement assets?

[stevenkkim]

I started using a home office on 1/1/2016 and am claiming a home office deduction for my business. For the home depreciation part of the home office deduction, I noticed that my home has a "placed in service" date of 1/1/2016 when I started using the home office, even though I purchased the house in 2011. I also made a series of "permanent improvements" between 2011 and 2015 which I have added in the home office asset summary. The question is, should I also enter a "placed in service" date of 1/1/2016, or should I use the date when the actual permanent improvement was made (between 2011 and 2015)?

[KarenL2]

The Placed In Service date for anything that was done prior to the date you started using it for business is the business start date.  Also, your permanent improvements prior to that date should be included in the cost basis or fair market value of the home (whichever is lower).  Because of this, there is only the need for one asset (the home).

[stevenkkim]

Very helpful, thanks!!

[KarenL2]

You're welcome!