Since it’s always best to be well-prepared when it comes to taxes, here are some of the new changes that you should be aware-of. As with anything to do with the government or taxes — if you really want to stay-top of this information, meet with your tax advisor and frequently check for updates on IRS.gov.
Keep in mind, this isn’t legal advice as I’m not in that space … but more a few new tax laws for 2017 that I’ve noticed that business owners should pay attention too.
Section 179 expensing/bonus depreciation
Under Section 179 of the tax code, explains Brian McCuller, JD, CPA, “the expensing provision allows capital investments of up to $500,000 for certain property to be taken as an expense deduction — rather than being depreciated break — which was made permanent under the PATH Act passed at the end of 2015 — phases out for asset purchases above $2 million.”
Additionally, HVAC units are now eligible as an expense deduction instead of depreciation in tax years beginning after Dec. 31, 2015.
“The bonus depreciation provision allows businesses to claim additional depreciation for certain property in the first year of the recovery period if placed in service from 2015 to 2019 (with an additional year for certain property with a longer production period),” adds McCuller. “For property placed in service in 2015, 2016 and 2017, the bonus depreciation is 50 percent. For 2018, it drops to 40 percent; for 2019 it goes to 30 percent.”
In other words, if you purchased or leased new hardware or software for your business, for example, you can depreciate half the cost as part of “bonus depreciation.” For 2017, it may be in your best interest to invest in the most up-to-date equipment possible.
Tighter filing deadlines
Filing deadlines have been changed so that flow-through entity return deadlines are due prior investor return deadlines. This means that partnerships and S-corporations operating on a calendar year will have a new deadline of March 15. The deadline for calendar year based C-Corporations will be pushed from March 15 to April 15.
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