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IRS SECTION 179 FOR 2009
Business Equipment
Business owners who acquire equipment for their business: machinery, computers, and other tangible goods, usually prefer to deduct the cost in a single
tax year, rather than a little at a time over a number of years. This deduction is known by its section in the tax code, a Section 179 deduction.
Under Section 179, businesses that spend less than $800,000 a year on qualified equipment, can write off up to $250,000 in 2009. The rules are designed for
small companies, so the $250,000 deduction phases out when a business purchases more than $800,000 in one year. (Companies cannot write off more than their
taxable income).
Benefits of a Non-Tax/Capital Lease
The benefit of a Non-Tax/Capital Lease is that it can take advantage of Section 179: expense up to $250,000 if the equipment is put in use in 2009. In addition,
you may depreciate any excess on the depreciation schedule for that asset. Examples of Non-Tax/Capital Leases include a $1.00 Buyout Lease, an Equipment
Finance Agreement (EFA), and a 10% Purchase Upon Termination (PUT) Lease.
Tax Code Section 179 & Election to Expense Detail
The election, which is made on Form 4562, is for the tax year the property was placed in service or an amended return filed within the time prescribed by law.
The total cost of property that may be expensed for any tax year cannot exceed the total amount of taxable income during the tax year. Section 179 property
is property that you acquire by purchase for use in the active conduct of your business. To ensure property qualifies, reference Publication 946.
This expense deduction is provided for taxpayers (other than estates, trusts or certain non-corporate lessors) who elect to treat the cost of qualifying property as
an expense rather than a capital expenditure. Under Section 179, equipment purchases, up to the amount approved for a given year, can be expensed (deducted
from taxable income) if installed by December 31st. Non-Tax leases qualify for this deduction in their year of inception. Any excess above the expensed amount
can be depreciated depending on the equipment type. Not all states follow federal law. Contact your tax advisor for further detail or visit www.irs.gov for specific detail.
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