1. Chapter 10 Depreciation Howard Godfrey, Ph. D
Chapter 10 Depreciation Howard Godfrey, Ph.D., CPA UNC Charlotte Copyright © 2013, Dr. Howard Godfrey Edited October 23, 2013.

4. Concept Review
The capital recovery concept allows a taxpayer to recover all invested capital before income is taxed
An asset’s basis is the maximum investment that qualifies as capital for recovery
Legislative grace allows the capital to be recovered systematically over the life of the asset

5. Categories of Assets
Realty includes land and buildings
Personalty is any asset that is not realty and includes machinery and equipment
Personal-use property is any property used for personal purposes

6. Capitalized until disposal or
Capital Expenditures
The cost of a business asset with a useful life extending beyond the current year may be
Deducted currently
Capitalized until disposal or
Capitalized with the cost allocated to the years the asset’s use benefits (cost recovery period)

7. Basis of Property
Basis is the taxpayer’s unrecovered investment in an asset that can be recovered without tax cost
As the asset’s basis is recovered (through depreciation, depletion or amortization deductions), basis is reduced and is called adjusted basis

8. The original basis of an asset includes
Basis of Property
The original basis of an asset includes
Cash plus fair market value of property given up by the purchaser
Money borrowed and used to pay for the property
Liabilities of the seller assumed by the purchaser
Expenses of the purchase such as attorney fees or brokerage commissions

9. After-Tax Cost
Tax savings from depreciation deductions reduce the effective after-tax cost of an asset
The annual tax saving equals the depreciation deduction multiplied by the marginal tax rate
Recovering an asset’s basis over a shorter time period reduces the after-tax cost of the asset

10. Methods of Recovery Depreciation: used for tangible assets that
Are used for a business or production of income purpose
Have a determinable life
Depletion: used for wasting assets
Amortization: used for intangible assets

11. History of Depreciation
Section 179 Election
to Expense Assets
1981
1987
MACRS
Based on method and life
prescribed by law;
less accelerated than ACRS
ACRS
Based on method and life
prescribed by law
Based on facts and circumstances
related to asset life and taxpayer’s
situation

12. Congress simplified depreciation
Asset lives used for depreciation are specified in the tax law.
Do not subtract estimated salvage value when computing depreciation.
Standard Conventions: Mid-Month, Mid-Year, Mid-Quarter

13. Section 179 Election
A taxpayer may elect to expense rather than capitalize qualifying property placed in service during the year.
Promotes administrative convenience
Treated as a depreciation deduction

14. Section 179 Election Qualifying Property
Tangible, personal property
Real estate does not qualify
Used in a trade or business
Investment property does not qualify

15. Section 179 Deduction Limits
The Sec. 179 limit of $500,000 for 2013 was not extended to 2014.
New limit is $25,000 Until Congress Acts.

16. Section 179 Deduction Limits
Limitations apply to each entity
Cannot exceed $500,000 in 2013
Cannot exceed taxable income from the business
Excess may be carried forward

17. Section 179 Deduction Phase-Out
Deduction decreased if total cost of qualifying property placed in service exceeds $2,000,000
by $1 for every $1 of value over $2,000,000.
What is maximum Section 179 write-off.
See next 2 slides

18. Firefly, Inc., (1) acquires equipment in July 2013 for $2,100,000.
 a. What is Firefly's maximum Sec. 179 deduction for 2013?
b. What happens to any part of the annual limit not deducted in 2013?
 c. What is the depreciable basis of the equipment? Explain.

20. The bonus depreciation allowance of 50% of the cost of equipment, etc
The bonus depreciation allowance of 50% of the cost of equipment, etc. (after subtracting Sec. 179 write-off) has not been extended. There is no bonus depreciation for Just Sec. 179 write-off and regular depreciation.

22. Section 179 Strategy
Expensing the assets with the longest class life generally maximizes the value of the Section 179 deduction
Section 179 expensing can also alter the application of the mid-quarter convention because property expensed under Section 179 is not counted in calculating the 40% test for the mid-quarter convention.
The 100% bonus depreciation (until end of 2011) makes Sec. 179 pretty irrelevant.

24. MACRS applies to New and used tangible, depreciable property
Used in a trade or business or for the production of income
Depreciable basis is:
The asset’s original basis for depreciation
Reduced by any § 179 deduction
Adjusted basis: the remaining unrecovered capital of an asset = asset basis minus accumulated depreciation

25. MACRS Recovery Period
Each asset is placed in a MACRS class according to its class life
Most personal property is in a 3, 5, or 7 year class
Most land improvements and specialized property are in a 10, 15, or 20 year class
Real estate is in a 27.5, 31.5, or 39 year class

26. MACRS Conventions
Three assumptions are made about the time property was placed in service during the year
Mid-year convention applies to all property except real estate
Mid-month convention applies to real estate only
Mid-quarter convention applies to some personal property (when major acquisitions are made in final quarter)

27. Mid-Year Convention
Assumes property is placed in service and will be disposed of at the mid-point of the year
One-half year depreciation allowed in the first year of service
One-half year depreciation allowed in the last year of service
IRS tables reflect the mid-year adjustment only for the first year

32. Mid-Month Convention
Assumes property is placed in service and will be disposed of at the mid-point of a month
One-half month allowed at the beginning
One-half month allowed at disposition
IRS tables reflect the adjustment only for acquisition

34. Mid-Quarter Convention
If > 40% of the total depreciable basis of all personal property is placed in service during the 4th quarter of the year, mid-quarter:
Assumes property is placed in service and will be disposed of at the mid-point of a quarter rather than at mid-year
Determine the 40% after taking §179 expense

38. Depreciation Method Alternatives
Regular MACRS
with Section 179
Straight-line MACRS
Straight-line Alternative Depreciation System (ADS)

39. Regular MACRS Method is double declining balance
IRS tables provide the depreciation rate
Designed to permit full recovery of depreciable basis
Incorporate the conventions
Maximizes acquisition year deduction using the Section 179 election

40. Straight-Line MACRS
Taxpayers may elect to use the slower straight-line method
Election is made each year
MACRS recovery periods are used
Mid-year convention applies

42. Alternative Depreciation System
Taxpayers may elect to use ADS
Use is mandatory for Alternative Minimum Taxable Income
Uses a longer recovery period than MACRS
Election is made on a class-by-class, year-by-year basis
Table yr. Page 10-22
S/L:20%, Mid year: 10%. 150% DB:15%

43. Limits on Listed Property
Most mixed-use property is considered listed property and subject to special limitations
Examples: automobiles, computers, cellular phones, etc.

44. Limits on Listed Property
Treatment depends on the percentage of business usage
if >50% business use, treated like other depreciable assets
if < 50% business use, deductions are limited to ADS without Section 179
In either case, only the business portion of the asset’s basis is depreciable

45. Limit on Passenger Autos
The total amount of depreciation and § 179 expense that can be deducted is limited
Annual maximum limit set and linked to the year the car was placed in service
Annual limit is further reduced by the business use %

46. Adequate Record Keeping
Listed property is subject to strict record keeping requirements
No deduction without proof of
Why? The business purpose of the use
What? The amount
When? The dates of use
Where? The reality of the use

48. 56. On June 1, 2013, Kirsten buys an automobile for $60,000
56. On June 1, 2013, Kirsten buys an automobile for $60,000. Her mileage log for the year reveals the following: 20,000 miles for business purposes; 7,000 miles for personal reasons; and 3,000 miles commuting to and from work. What is Kirsten's maximum cost-recovery deduction for 2013?

50. Vehicle Ceiling Limits
When a vehicle is used less than 100% for business purposes, the ceiling limit allowed is reduced accordingly
If an employee uses an employer’s car for personal use but is taxed on that use, the employer calculates depreciation as if all use is business use
Special rules apply to cars used by a more-than-5% owner or someone related to the employer

51. Heavy SUVs
Heavy SUVs (gross vehicle weight over 6,000 lbs.) are not subject to the vehicle depreciation ceiling limits
But the 2004 Jobs Creation Act reduced to $25,000 the cost of heavy SUVs (acquired after 10/22/04) that can be expensed under Section 179

52. Leased Automobiles
Taxpayers who lease autos can deduct the business portion of lease payments, but must add a lease inclusion amount to income
The inclusion amount is obtained from an IRS table, based on
the car's FMV and the tax year in which the lease commences, and
is prorated for the number of days the car is leased

53. Lease Inclusions
Examples of inclusion amounts for a new auto leased in 2009
If FMV = $40,000 then
$58 for year 1,
$127 for year 2,
$188 for year 3, $225 for year 4, and
$259 for year 5 and later years

55. Depletion
The basis of natural resource assets subject to wasting away is recovered using depletion
Basis used is generally fees paid to acquire a lease and the costs of the lease, exploration, and drilling
Computed using two methods
Figure both each year and use the largest as deduction

56. Cost Depletion Method
Allocates unrecovered basis over the number of estimated units of resource
Unrecovered Basis
Estimated Recoverable Units
= Depletion per Unit
Cost Depletion = Depletion per Unit X # of Units Sold

57. Percentage Depletion Method
Depletion is the lesser of
50% of taxable income before depletion, or
Gross income from the sale of the natural resource times a statutory depletion rate
Different statutory % for each type of resource is given in IRS tables

58. On July 4 of the current year, Lawrence invests $240,000 in a mineral property. He estimates that he will recover 800,000 units of the mineral from the deposit. During the current year, Lawrence recovers and sells 100,000 units of the mineral for $3.50 per unit.
What are Lawrence's cost depletion deduction for the current year and his adjusted basis for the mineral deposit after deducting depletion?

59. On July 4 of the current year, Lawrence invests $240,000 in a mineral property.
Cost depletion is calculated using the units of production method. Each year the remaining depreciable basis is allocated based on the formula:
Units Recovered During the Year
Total Estimated Units Remaining
For Lawrence, this results in a deduction for cost depletion of $30,000.
$240,000 x 100, = $30,000
800,000

60. Lawrence invests $240,000 in mineral property.
b. If the percentage depletion rate for the mineral is 10%, what are his depletion deduction for the current year and his adjusted basis for the mineral deposit?
Percentage depletion is calculated by multiplying the selling price of the mineral by the statutory rate for the mineral. Sales are $350,000 (100,000 x $3.50) and percentage depletion is $35,000 ($350,000 x 10%).
Property basis after deducting percentage depletion is $205,000 ($240, $35,000).

61. Intangibles Intangible assets are grouped into 3 categories
Intangibles with perpetual life that cannot be amortized
15-year intangibles (including goodwill) acquired as part of a business purchase (Section 197 assets)
Intangibles amortizable over a life other than 15 years

62. Amortization
Basis of intangible assets is recovered using straight-line method over the life of the asset
Intangible assets acquired through purchase generally use a 15 year life
Created assets and assets specifically excluded from use of 15-year period are amortized over their legal life

63. On June 2, 2013, Lokar Corporation purchases a patent for $68,000 from the inventor of a new extrusion process. The patent has 12 years remaining on its legal life.  
Determine the maximum 2013 cost-recovery deductions for the asset purchased.
The patent acquired separately (from the inventor) is amortized over the remaining useful life.

65. Next few slides show financial accounting with full year of depreciation in year of acquisition.
This is done to simplify the illustration.
That is not allowed by the tax law.

66. Double Declining Balance – Slide 1 of 2 On January 1, Year 1, office equipment was purchased and placed into service. The equipment cost $400,000, has an estimated useful life of 10 years, and an expected salvage value of $48,000. The depreciation expense under the double-declining balance method for Year 2 is: a. $64,000 b. $80,000 c. $72,000 d. $70,400

68. Depreciation Methods for Tax Purposes
Depreciation Methods for Tax Purposes. Refer to next slide for Turtle Co. which uses straight-line method for financial reporting and accelerated method for tax returns. Asset cost $50,000 and has 5 year life. How much depreciation is shown on each report in year one? (For this illustration, use full year of depreciation with both methods.) If Turtle has a 30% tax rate, what is the tax savings for using the accelerated method? How much taxes will be saved in year 2?

73. On the preceding slide, what is the balance in the deferred tax account at the end of year 2?