Depreciation & Expensing Provisions in the PATH Act

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Depreciation & Expensing Provisions in the PATH Act

The PATH Act makes permanent the enhanced Code Sec. 179  expensing and phaseout limits, and 15-year write-off for qualifying leasehold improvements, restaurant buildings and improvements, and retail improvements. In addition, the Act provides for a retroactive extension of provisions that had expired at the end of 2014, including 50% bonus first-year depreciation (at a rate that gradually decreases). For further information and to discuss whether your purchase is a “qualifying property”, please contact us.

Enhanced Expensing Made Permanent

Under pre-Act law. For tax years beginning after Dec. 31, 2014, the maximum expensing limit had dropped to $25,000, and the investment ceiling dropped to $200,000.

New law. The Act makes the following changes to the Code Sec. 179 expensing election:

  • The $500,000 expensing limitation and $2 million phase-out amounts are retroactively extended and made permanent. After Dec. 31, 2015, both the expensing and phase-out limits are indexed for inflation.
  • The rule that allows expensing for computer software is retroactively extended and made permanent.
  • Qualified real property (generally qualified leasehold improvements, qualified restaurant, and qualified retail property) is eligible to be expensed.
  • For tax years beginning after Dec. 31, 2015, air conditioning and heating units are eligible for expensing.

15-Year Write-off for Qualified Leasehold and Retail Improvements and Restaurant Property Made Permanent

Under […]