J
Joe Failla
Guest
Depreciation Questions:
I purchased a 1989 Dodge Caravan in 1990 for $14,000. It was used solely for pleasure until I closed on a rental property on 1/23/98. From that point on, the mini-van was used mainly for travel to and from the rental property. Business use averages about 75%, while pleasure use is about 25%.
My tax program (Tax Cut) runs through a series of steps and questions to help determine the depreciation of the vehicle. Some of them are obvious and straightforward. However, I am having a problem with the following questions:
· Date placed in service
· The vehicles basis
· Useful life
· Salvage value
I am not sure how to answer these questions. For instance………..
· Is the date placed in service the date I bought the mini-van, or the date I started using it for the rental property?
· Is the vehicle basis what I originally paid for it the day I bought it, or what the vehicle was worth the day we started using it for the rental property?
· For useful life, the program says it could be from 5 to 10 years. How do I know what it is?
· How do I determine salvage value? (Is it what the vehicle is worth as a "junker")?
In addition, how does Section 179 come into play?
What is it? How can I best apply it to items I can claim as deductions for my rental property, such as:
· Dwelling
· Furniture
· Mini-van
· Computer
· Anything else
I purchased a 1989 Dodge Caravan in 1990 for $14,000. It was used solely for pleasure until I closed on a rental property on 1/23/98. From that point on, the mini-van was used mainly for travel to and from the rental property. Business use averages about 75%, while pleasure use is about 25%.
My tax program (Tax Cut) runs through a series of steps and questions to help determine the depreciation of the vehicle. Some of them are obvious and straightforward. However, I am having a problem with the following questions:
· Date placed in service
· The vehicles basis
· Useful life
· Salvage value
I am not sure how to answer these questions. For instance………..
· Is the date placed in service the date I bought the mini-van, or the date I started using it for the rental property?
· Is the vehicle basis what I originally paid for it the day I bought it, or what the vehicle was worth the day we started using it for the rental property?
· For useful life, the program says it could be from 5 to 10 years. How do I know what it is?
· How do I determine salvage value? (Is it what the vehicle is worth as a "junker")?
In addition, how does Section 179 come into play?
What is it? How can I best apply it to items I can claim as deductions for my rental property, such as:
· Dwelling
· Furniture
· Mini-van
· Computer
· Anything else