Cost Segregation/Fixed Asset Review

With the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), 100% bonus depreciation was made permanent for qualified property placed in service after January 19, 2025. This legislative change significantly enhances the value of cost segregation, a proven tax strategy that accelerates depreciation deductions by identifying and reclassifying building components into shorter recovery periods—typically 5, 7, or 15 years—instead of the standard 27.5 or 39 years. By front-loading depreciation, cost segregation can substantially improve cash flow and reduce tax liability in the early years of property ownership....

When converting personal property to investment use, taxpayers must maintain clear documentation of both the original cost and the fair market value at the time of conversion. This documentation is crucial for supporting depreciation deductions and avoiding IRS challenges. In Sherman Derell Smith v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 2025-24 (March 24, 2025), the U.S. Tax Court ruled against the taxpayer, who had disputed the IRS’s denial of a depreciation deduction for a rental property on his 2018 federal income tax return. The court found that Smith failed to establish a proper depreciable basis under IRC §167 and Treas. Reg. §1.167(g)-1. This case underscores the importance of maintaining accurate records when transitioning personal property to investment use....

President Donald Trump signaled a strong commitment to reinstating full bonus depreciation under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), a provision currently set to phase out by the end of 2026. The reinstatement, according to Trump, would be made retroactively to January 20, 2025. If implemented, this move would have significant implications for real estate investors, making cost segregation studies even more valuable in maximizing tax benefits....

A partial disposition occurs when a taxpayer disposes of a portion of an asset rather than the entire asset. This can happen during renovations or improvements when parts of the building are replaced or retired. For example, a taxpayer upgrading to energy-efficient LED lighting, installing a new HVAC system, replacing an aging roof, or demolishing old tenant improvements can elect a partial disposition to write off the remaining value of the removed assets in the year of disposal....