Depreciation of Fence - Pasture Land Rented Out (Passive Income)

[Greenblue]

I am renting out pasture land. I do not provide any services. I will report the income and expenses on Schedule E, Part I. It will be classified as passive income.

The fence needed to be replaced and cost $6,500. I am planning to report the depreciation on Form 4562, Part III MACRS Depreciation, Section B. I will use the General Depreciation System. When I read Pub 946 fences are listed under 5, 7 and 15 year property classifications.

Am I correct in the reporting of depreciation and which property classification 5, 7 or 15 do I use?

[tagteam · Accepted solution]

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@Greenblue wrote:

Am I correct in the reporting of depreciation and which property classification 5, 7 or 15 do I use?

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Yes, except farm fences typically have a recovery period of 7 years (residential land improvements, such as fences, are typically 15-year property).

However, you can most likely recover the entire $6,500 in the form a special allowance (bonus depreciation) and thus not have to track depreciation deductions (and cumulative depreciation) over several years. 

Further, if you input this scenario into TurboTax, you will have to use "Intangibles, Other property", and then select "Other asset type" in order to get to the proper asset class and method.

[Greenblue]

Thank you.