1. The American College: HS 321 Income Taxation
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The American College: HS 321 Income Taxation
Chapter 11 Cost Recovery Deductions
Student Workbook for HS 321

2. Chapter 11 Overview
State the pre-ACRS history of cost recovery, and explain how accelerated cost recovery systems (ACRS and MACRS) allow the recovery of investment capital for income tax purposes.
Explain how the accelerated cost recovery systems of ACRS & MACRS allow the recovery of investment capital..

3. Chapter 11 Overview - Continued
Explain depreciation recapture and the election to expense certain depreciable business assets.
Describe cost recovery limitations on certain depreciable assets collectively known as listed property, and explain the concept of amortizing certain intangible assets.

4. Learning Objective
Explain what is meant by cost recovery, recovery method, and recovery period; identify the four basic conditions for the allowance of cost recovery deductions.

5. Purpose of Depreciation Deduction
Recovery of capital investment in qualifying property a) used in a trade or business or b) held for the production of income.
Non qualifying property such as raw land, inventory.
Date property placed in service determines the cost recovery method and cost recovery period.

6. Learning Objective
Describe methods for computing depreciation deduction for pre-ACRS assets and distinguish depreciation from obsolescence.

7. History of Depreciation Methods
1971 class life system with ADR or facts and circumstances
1981–present: ACRS/MACRS
Eliminates estimates and salvage value
Shortens recovery period
TRA ’86: MACRS effective 1/1/87

8. Calculating Depreciation

9. Four Methods for Calculating Depreciation
Straight line
Declining balance
Sum of the years digits method
Any other consistent method

10. Straight line Depreciation
Cost of property divided by estimated useful life.
EXAMPLE….20 year property purchased for $10,000 yields 20 equal depreciation deductions of $500.
The adjusted basis is being reduced each year by the depreciation deduction of $500.

11. Declining Balance Method
Fixed percentage of the unrecovered cost of the asset is deducted each year.
EXAMPLE 20 year asset would depreciate at 5%. Under declining balance method up to 10% is depreciation each year.
In year 1, the deduction is 10% of basis.
In year 2 and following it is 10% of remaining basis until full cost recovery.

12. Sum of the Years Digits Similar to a declining balance method
Numerator is number of years of useful life for the year of deduction.
Denominator is the sum of the numbers representing each year of property’s useful life.
Example 5 year property depreciates at
5/15, 4/15, 3/15, 2/15, 1/15

13. Any Other Consistent Method
Any method so long as not resulting in depreciation greater than that under declining balance method during the first 2/3 of asset’s useful life.
Must be based on actual use of the property.
Used for assets undergoing initial intense periods of use.

14. Obsolescence Deduction
Loss of economic usefulness of property due to abnormal causes rather than usual wear and tear.
Deduction is allowed in addition to depreciation.

15. Learning Objective
Explain how the accelerated cost recovery systems of ACRS and MACRS allow the recovery of investment capital for income tax purposes.

16. ACRS and MACRS

17. Cost Recovery Systems ACRS
Property placed into service between 1/1/1981 – 12/31/86
MACRS
Property placed into service after 12/31/1986.

18. Recovery Periods for MACRS
5 year class…..autos, computers.
7 year class…..business equipment, office furniture; most heavy machinery.
27.5 year class…..residential real estate like apartment buildings.
39 year class…..nonresidential real estate like office buildings.

19. Recovery Method for MACRS
Double Declining Balance Method
Example – Autos

20. MACRS 150% Declining Balance Method Examples –
15 year property such as land improvements
20 year property such as municipal sewers.

21. MACRS Straight line depreciation Examples – Residential Real Estate
Nonresidential real estate

22. Operation of MACRS
The depreciation deduction for nonresidential real property placed into service during the month of April would be calculated per Table
1.819% of $150,000 = $2,

23. Cost Recovery Conventions

24. Cost Recovery Conventions
Purpose is to determine how much cost recovery is allowed for the year the asset is placed into service.

25. Cost Recovery Conventions –Half-Year Rule
Half-Year Convention for Assets in property classes fewer than 20 year.
The equivalent of 6 months depreciation (not 12) is allowed in year property placed in service; remaining 6 months are depreciated in year of disposition or in last year of the recovery period.

26. Cost Recovery Convention –Mid-Quarter Rule
If >40% of aggregate bases of all TPP placed in service during the year is placed in service in the last 3 months of the year, a mid-quarter convention will apply.
Purpose of the rule is to prevent the taxpayer from claiming 6 months depreciation for property placed in service during the last 3 months of the year.

27. Alternative Recovery Periods Under MACRS
Taxpayer may elect straight line treatment if property otherwise eligible for the declining balance method
Taxpayer may elect 150% declining balance method for property otherwise eligible for 200% declining balance method.

28. Implications of Depreciation on Basis to Property
Basis must be reduced by allowable depreciation regardless of whether the taxpayer claims the depreciation deduction on the tax return.

29. Learning Objective
Explain the concepts of depreciation recapture and the section 179 expensing of certain depreciable business assets.

30. Depreciation and Recapture

31. Recapture
When some assets are sold or disposed of at a gain, part of the gain may be “recaptured” by adding it to ordinary income.
Depreciation recapture is limited to the lesser of the gain realized or the depreciation already taken.
Recapture rules for personalty are under section 1245; real estate under section 1250.

32. Recapture Rules under sections 1245 and 1250
Sale of most TPP and real estate for a gain — recapture is lesser of the realized gain or the depreciation already taken
Personal (Sec. 1245) Property: Full recapture

33. Section 1250

34. Section 1250
Rules
Realty (Sec. 1250): Only excess depreciation recaptured on ACRS property.
Post 1986 realty (Sec. 1250): “Special” 25% rate applies to capital gain attributed to depreciation upon sale.

35. Expensing: Section 179

36. A Key Deduction: Expensing Section 179
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A Key Deduction: Expensing Section 179
General rule for Section 179
Businesses may expense, rather than capitalize and depreciate, some asset depreciable personal property.
Real estate ineligible for Section 179 Expensing.
Property held for the production of income also ineligible for Section 179.
This is now the only graphic from this section.
Student Workbook for HS 321

37. Expensing Under Section 179
Deductible amounts are $500K for 2011 and $125K for 2012.
Phaseout begins at $2.0 M in 2011 and $500K in 2011.

38. Amortization of Intangibles

39. Learning Objective
Explain the amortization of certain intangible assets; describe the cost recovery limitations on certain depreciable assets collectively known as “listed property,” and.

40. Amortization of Intangibles
Amortize using SL method, over useful life (Sec. 197).
Examples: Goodwill and Covenants not to compete
Amortize over 15 years, SL
Effective as of August 11, 1993

41. Listed Property: Section 280F

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Limitations for Some Property Used for Both Personal & Business Use (a.k.a. “Listed Property” Section 280F)
“Luxury” automobiles: Section 280F limits both MACRS depreciation and Section 179 expensing.
A “luxury” auto is a passenger car excluding taxis and rental cars
Added approx
Student Workbook for HS 321

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Limitations for Some Property Used for Both Personal & Business Use (a.k.a. “Listed Property” Section 280F)
“Listed property does NOT include: Trucks, vans, and “heavy land yachts” (i.e., Hummers) weighing over 6,000 pounds, ambulances, hearses, and vehicles used in transporting services (limo services).
Student Workbook for HS 321

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Limitations for Some Property Used for Both Personal & Business Use (a.k.a. “Listed Property” Section 280F)
Listed property
Passenger automobiles (under 6,000 pounds)
Other property used for transportation (motorcycles, boats, planes)
Computer or peripheral equipment unless used exclusively in a regular business establishment (includes home offices under Sec. 280A)
Student Workbook for HS 321

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Limitations for Some Property Used for Both Personal & Business Use (a.k.a. “Listed Property” Section 280F)
Listed property
Property used for entertainment, recreation or amusement, unless used in a regular business establishment
Student Workbook for HS 321

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Limitations for Some Property Used for Both Personal & Business Use (a.k.a. “Listed Property” Section 280F)
Limitations:
If “qualified business use” ≤50% in year the listed property is placed in service
No Sec. 179 expensing
ADS depreciation required (i.e., straight-line depreciation)
Student Workbook for HS 321

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Limitations for Some Property Used for Both Personal & Business Use (a.k.a. “Listed Property” Section 280F)
Limitations:
“Qualified Business Use”
Includes only T/B use (business for which Sec authorizes deductions)
But, use of assets for production of income is included in calculating depreciation
Student Workbook for HS 321

48. ________________________________________________________________________
Limitations for Some Property Used for Both Personal & Business Use (a.k.a. “Listed Property” Section 280F)
“Luxury” automobiles: Section 280F limits both MACRS depreciation and Section 179 expensing.
Added approx
Student Workbook for HS 321

49. ________________________________________________________________________
Limitations for Some Property Used for Both Personal & Business Use (a.k.a. “Listed Property” Section 280F)
Cost recovery limitations significantly limit depreciation. The maximum limitations represent 100% business/production use.
Numbers Removed
Student Workbook for HS 321

50. End of Chapter 11