Section 179 expensing can be a very powerful tax-planning tool for small- and medium-sized businesses acquiring capital assets. While it doesn’t change the amount of depreciation you can take over the life of a capital purchase, it can change the timing by allowing you to deduct your purchase in the first year you place it in service.

Review these details if you’re considering depreciating your business assets under Section 179:

• Section 179 allows deducting the expense of up to $510,000 of qualified business purchases.
• A Section 179 deduction cannot create a loss for the business.
• A Section 179 deduction must be for business use. If an asset is not entirely used for business, the allowance is reduced.
• If you sell a Section 179 asset prior to the full depreciation period, you will have to record any sales proceeds as taxable income.
• Many states limit the use of this federal shifting of depreciation.

Taking Section 179 for capital purchases can be useful, but it’s not for everyone. Using it for an immediate tax break means it’ll no longer be available for future years.