§179. Election to expense certain depreciable business assets

(a) Treatment as expenses

A taxpayer may elect to treat the cost of any section 179 property as an expense which is not chargeable to capital account. Any cost so treated shall be allowed as a deduction for the taxable year in which the section 179 property is placed in service.

(b) Limitations

(1) Dollar limitation

The aggregate cost which may be taken into account under subsection (a) for any taxable year shall not exceed $17,500.

(2) Reduction in limitation

The limitation under paragraph (1) for any taxable year shall be reduced (but not below zero) by the amount by which the cost of section 179 property placed in service during such taxable year exceeds $200,000.

(3) Limitation based on income from trade or business

(A) In general

The amount allowed as a deduction under subsection (a) for any taxable year (determined after the application of paragraphs (1) and (2)) shall not exceed the aggregate amount of taxable income of the taxpayer for such taxable year which is derived from the active conduct by the taxpayer of any trade or business during such taxable year.

(B) Carryover of disallowed deduction

The amount allowable as a deduction under subsection (a) for any taxable year shall be increased by the lesser of-

(i) the aggregate amount disallowed under subparagraph (A) for all prior taxable years (to the extent not previously allowed as a deduction by reason of this subparagraph), or

(ii) the excess (if any) of-

(I) the limitation of paragraphs (1) and (2) (or if lesser, the aggregate amount of taxable income referred to in subparagraph (A)), over

(II) the amount allowable as a deduction under subsection (a) for such taxable year without regard to this subparagraph.

(C) Computation of taxable income

For purposes of this paragraph, taxable income derived from the conduct of a trade or business shall be computed without regard to the deduction allowable under this section.

(4) Married individuals filing separately

In the case of a husband and wife filing separate returns for the taxable year-

(A) such individuals shall be treated as 1 taxpayer for purposes of paragraphs (1) and (2), and

(B) unless such individuals elect otherwise, 50 percent of the cost which may be taken into account under subsection (a) for such taxable year (before application of paragraph (3)) shall be allocated to each such individual.

(c) Election

(1) In general

An election under this section for any taxable year shall-

(A) specify the items of section 179 property to which the election applies and the portion of the cost of each of such items which is to be taken into account under subsection (a), and

(B) be made on the taxpayer's return of the tax imposed by this chapter for the taxable year.

Such election shall be made in such manner as the Secretary may by regulations prescribe.

(2) Election irrevocable

Any election made under this section, and any specification contained in any such election, may not be revoked except with the consent of the Secretary.

(d) Definitions and special rules

(1) Section 179 property

For purposes of this section, the term "section 179 property" means any tangible property (to which section 168 applies) which is section 1245 property (as defined in section 1245(a)(3)) and which is acquired by purchase for use in the active conduct of in ¹ a trade or business.

(2) Purchase defined

For purposes of paragraph (1), the term "purchase" means any acquisition of property, but only if-

(A) the property is not acquired from a person whose relationship to the person acquiring it would result in the disallowance of losses under section 267 or 707(b) (but, in applying section 267(b) and (c) for purposes of this section, paragraph (4) of section 267(c) shall be treated as providing that the family of an individual shall include only his spouse, ancestors, and lineal descendants),

(B) the property is not acquired by one component member of a controlled group from another component member of the same controlled group, and

(C) the basis of the property in the hands of the person acquiring it is not determined-

(i) in whole or in part by reference to the adjusted basis of such property in the hands of the person from whom acquired, or

(ii) under section 1014(a) (relating to property acquired from a decedent).

(3) Cost

For purposes of this section, the cost of property does not include so much of the basis of such property as is determined by reference to the basis of other property held at any time by the person acquiring such property.

(4) Section not to apply to estates and trusts

This section shall not apply to estates and trusts.

(5) Section not to apply to certain noncorporate lessors

This section shall not apply to any section 179 property which is purchased by a person who is not a corporation and with respect to which such person is the lessor unless-

(A) the property subject to the lease has been manufactured or produced by the lessor, or

(B) the term of the lease (taking into account options to renew) is less than 50 percent of the class life of the property (as defined in section 168(i)(1)), and for the period consisting of the first 12 months after the date on which the property is transferred to the lessee the sum of the deductions with respect to such property which are allowable to the lessor solely by reason of section 162 (other than rents and reimbursed amounts with respect to such property) exceeds 15 percent of the rental income produced by such property.

(6) Dollar limitation of controlled group

For purposes of subsection (b) of this section-

(A) all component members of a controlled group shall be treated as one taxpayer, and

(B) the Secretary shall apportion the dollar limitation contained in subsection (b)(1) among the component members of such controlled group in such manner as he shall by regulations prescribe.

(7) Controlled group defined

For purposes of paragraphs (2) and (6), the term "controlled group" has the meaning assigned to it by section 1563(a), except that, for such purposes, the phrase "more than 50 percent" shall be substituted for the phrase "at least 80 percent" each place it appears in section 1563(a)(1).

(8) Treatment of partnerships and S corporations

In the case of a partnership, the limitations of subsection (b) shall apply with respect to the partnership and with respect to each partner. A similar rule shall apply in the case of an S corporation and its shareholders.

(9) Coordination with section 38

No credit shall be allowed under section 38 with respect to any amount for which a deduction is allowed under subsection (a).

(10) Recapture in certain cases

The Secretary shall, by regulations, provide for recapturing the benefit under any deduction allowable under subsection (a) with respect to any property which is not used predominantly in a trade or business at any time.

(Added Pub. L. 85–866, title II, §204(a), Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1679 ; amended Pub. L. 87–834, §13(c)(2), Oct. 16, 1962, 76 Stat. 1034 ; Pub. L. 91–172, title IV, §401(f), Dec. 30, 1969, 83 Stat. 603 ; Pub. L. 94–455, title II, §213(a), title XIX, §1906(b)(13)(A), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1547 , 1834; Pub. L. 97–34, title II, §202(a), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 219 ; Pub. L. 97–354, §3(f), Oct. 19, 1982, 96 Stat. 1689 ; Pub. L. 97–448, title I, §102(aa), Jan. 12, 1983, 96 Stat. 2369 ; Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title I, §13, July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 505 ; Pub. L. 99–514, title II, §§201(d)(3), 202, Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2139 , 2142; Pub. L. 100–647, title I, §1002(a)(19), (b)(1), Nov. 10, 1988, 102 Stat. 3356 , 3357; Pub. L. 101–508, title XI, §11813(b)(11), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–554 ; Pub. L. 103–66, title XIII, §13116(a), Aug. 10, 1993, 107 Stat. 432 .)

Amendments

1993-Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 103–66 substituted "$17,500" for "$10,000".

1990-Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 101–508, §11813(b)(11)(A), substituted "section 1245 property (as defined in section 1245(a)(3))" for "section 38 property".

Subsec. (d)(5). Pub. L. 101–508, §11813(b)(11)(B), amended par. (5) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (5) read as follows: "This section shall not apply to any section 179 property purchased by any person described in section 46(e)(3) unless the credit under section 38 is allowable with respect to such person for such property (determined without regard to this section)."

1988-Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 100–647, §1002(b)(1), amended par. (3) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (3) read as follows:

"(A) In general.-The aggregate cost of section 179 property taken into account under subsection (a) for any taxable year shall not exceed the aggregate amount of taxable income of the taxpayer for such taxable year which is derived from the active conduct by the taxpayer of any trade or business during such taxable year.

"(B) Carryover of unused cost.-The amount of any cost which (but for subparagraph (A)) would have been allowed as a deduction under subsection (a) for any taxable year shall be carried to the succeeding taxable year and added to the amount allowable as a deduction under subsection (a) for such succeeding taxable year.

"(C) Computation of taxable income.-For purposes of this paragraph, taxable income derived from the conduct of a trade or business shall be computed without regard to the cost of any section 179 property."

Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 100–647, §1002(a)(19), substituted "tangible property (to which section 168 applies)" for "recovery property".

1986-Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 99–514, §202(a), in amending subsec. (b) generally, substituted "Limitations" for "Dollar limitation" in heading, in par. (1) substituted as heading "Dollar limitation" for "In general" and in text "shall not exceed $10,000" for "shall not exceed the following applicable amount:" and a table specifying amounts for specific years, added pars. (2) to (4), and struck out former par. (2) which read as follows: "In the case of a husband and wife filing separate returns for a taxable year, the applicable amount under paragraph (1) shall be equal to 50 percent of the amount otherwise determined under paragraph (1)."

Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 99–514, §202(b), inserted "in the active conduct of".

Subsec. (d)(8). Pub. L. 99–514, §201(d)(3), substituted "Treatment of" for "Dollar limitation in case of" in heading and amended text generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "In the case of a partnership, the dollar limitation contained in subsection (b)(1) shall apply with respect to the partnership and with respect to each partner. A similar rule shall apply in the case of an S corporation and its shareholders."

Subsec. (d)(10). Pub. L. 99–514, §202(c), struck out "before the close of the second taxable year following the taxable year in which it is placed in service by the taxpayer" after "at any time".

1984-Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 98–369 amended table by dropping items setting applicable amounts of $0 for 1981 and $5,000 for 1982, substituting an applicable amount of $5,000 for 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, and 1987 for former table items which had set applicable amounts of $5,000 for 1983, $7,500 for 1984, $7,500 for 1985, and $10,000 for 1986 or thereafter, and added items setting applicable amounts of $7,500 for 1988 or 1989, and $10,000 for 1990 or thereafter.

1983-Subsec. (d)(10). Pub. L. 97–448 added par. (10).

1982-Subsec. (d)(8). Pub. L. 97–354 substituted "partnerships and S corporations" for "partnerships" in heading, and inserted "A similar rule shall apply in the case of an S corporation and its shareholders."

1981-Pub. L. 97–34 amended section generally, changing its content from provisions that formerly made available an additional first-year depreciation allowance for small businesses to provisions allowing a taxpayer to elect to treat the cost of section 179 property as an expense which is not chargeable to capital account, with any cost so treated to be allowed as a deduction for the taxable year in which the section 179 property is placed in service.

1976-Subsecs. (c)(1), (2), (d)(6)(B). Pub. L. 94–455, §1906(b)(13)(A), struck out "or his delegate" after "Secretary".

Subsec. (d)(8), (9). Pub. L. 94–455, §213(a), added par. (8) and redesignated former par. (8) as par. (9).

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 94–455, §1906(b)(13)(A), struck out "or his delegate" after "Secretary".

1969-Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 91–172 substituted reference to component members of a controlled group for reference to members of an affiliated group in pars. (2)(B) and (b), and substituted definition of controlled group for definition of affiliated group in par. (7).

1962-Subsec. (d)(5). Pub. L. 87–834, §13(c)(2)(A), substituted "section 167(h)" for "section 167(g)".

Subsec. (d)(8). Pub. L. 87–834, §13(c)(2)(B), substituted "section 167(g)" for "section 167(f)".

Effective Date of 1993 Amendment

Section 13116(b) of Pub. L. 103–66 provided that: "The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 1992."

Effective Date of 1990 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 101–508 applicable to property placed in service after Dec. 31, 1990, but not applicable to any transition property (as defined in section 49(e) of this title), any property with respect to which qualified progress expenditures were previously taken into account under section 46(d) of this title, and any property described in section 46(b)(2)(C) of this title, as such sections were in effect on Nov. 4, 1990, see section 11813(c) of Pub. L. 101–508, set out as a note under section 29 of this title.

Effective Date of 1988 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 100–647 effective, except as otherwise provided, as if included in the provision of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, Pub. L. 99–514, to which such amendment relates, see section 1019(a) of Pub. L. 100–647, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.

Effective Date of 1986 Amendment

Amendment by section 201(d)(3) of Pub. L. 99–514 applicable to property placed in service after Dec. 31, 1986, in taxable years ending after such date, with exceptions, see sections 203 and 204 of Pub. L. 99–514, set out as a note under section 168 of this title.

Amendment by section 201(d)(3) of Pub. L. 99–514 not applicable to any property placed in service before Jan. 1, 1994, if such property placed in service as part of specified rehabilitations, and not applicable to certain additional rehabilitations, see section 251(d)(2), (3) of Pub. L. 99–514, set out as a note under section 46 of this title.

Effective Date of 1984 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 98–369 applicable to taxable years ending after Dec. 31, 1983, see section 18(a) of Pub. L. 98–369, set out as a note under section 48 of this title.

Effective Date of 1983 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 97–448 effective, except as otherwise provided, as if it had been included in the provision of the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981, Pub. L. 97–34, to which such amendment relates, see section 109 of Pub. L. 97–448, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.

Effective Date of 1982 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 97–354 applicable to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1982, see section 6(a) of Pub. L. 97–354, set out as an Effective Date note under section 1361 of this title.

Effective Date of 1981 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 97–34 applicable to property placed in service after Dec. 31, 1980, in taxable years ending after that date, see section 209(a) of Pub. L. 97–34, set out as an Effective Date note under section 168 of this title.

Effective Date of 1976 Amendment

Amendment by section 213(a) of Pub. L. 94–455 applicable in the case of partnership taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1975, see section 213(f) of Pub. L. 94–455, set out as an Effective Date note under section 709 of this title.

Effective Date of 1969 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 91–172 applicable with respect to taxable years ending on or after Dec. 31, 1970, see section 401(h)(3) of Pub. L. 91–172, set out as a note under section 1561 of this title.

Effective Date of 1962 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 87–834 applicable to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1961, and ending after Oct. 16, 1962, see section 13(g) of Pub. L. 87–834, set out as an Effective Date note under section 1245 of this title.

Effective Date

Section 204(c) of Pub. L. 85–866 provided that: "The amendments made by this section [enacting this section] shall apply with respect to taxable years ending after June 30, 1958."

Savings Provision

For provisions that nothing in amendment by Pub. L. 101–508 be construed to affect treatment of certain transactions occurring, property acquired, or items of income, loss, deduction, or credit taken into account prior to Nov. 5, 1990, for purposes of determining liability for tax for periods ending after Nov. 5, 1990, see section 11821(b) of Pub. L. 101–508, set out as a note under section 29 of this title.

Section Referred to in Other Sections

This section is referred to in sections 30, 42, 179A, 263, 280F, 1245, 1397A, 1397C of this title.

¹ So in original. The word "in" probably should not appear.