Note: This article does not constitute tax advice. Tax law is subject to change. Talk to your tax advisor for full details.
Section 179 is a section of the Internal Revenue Service’s tax code for the United States that lets businesses deduct expenses and depreciate assets so they can have a smaller tax bill.
If you own a business, Section 179 is a great resource for saving money on equipment, software, vehicles, machinery, livestock, and facilities, although there are exceptions to those categories. IRS Publication 946 has a list of those exceptions.
Here’s the deal for 2017: Unlike previous years, the limit for depreciation is a lot smaller—$25,000. That’s because Congress had raised the ceiling in recent years to give small businesses a break after the Great Recession. The economy has improved since then, so unless Congress renews those special provisions before December 31, 2017, we’re stuck with the $25,000 cap.
Section 179 says that for a vehicle to qualify, it has to have a gross vehicle weight rating—that’s how much it weighs when fully loaded with people and cargo—of at least 6,000 lbs. but fewer than 14,000 lbs. You can find the GVWR on the driver’s door sticker. Also, more than 50 percent of its miles must have been for business purposes, and the greater the percentage of business use, the greater the depreciation you qualify for.
Depreciation is good when it comes to taxes because it reduces the amount you have to pay the government.
We’d love to give an example to show how the math works, but the IRS hasn’t released those guidelines yet. What we can say is that you must have purchased the vehicle in 2017. Section179.org says that means that a used vehicle can qualify, too.
Below is a list of vehicles that will likely qualify under this scenario. Talk to a tax professional for definite guidance.
2017/2018 Audi Q7 3.0T
2017/2018 BMW X6 M
2017/2018 BMW X6 XDRIVE35I
2017/2018 Buick ENCLAVE 2WD
2017/2018 Buick ENCLAVE 4WD
2017/2018 Cadillac ESCALADE 2WD
2017/2018 Cadillac ESCALADE AWD
2017/2018 Chevrolet Truck SILVERADO C1500
2017/2018 Chevrolet Truck SILVERADO K1500
2017/2018 Chevrolet Truck SUBURBAN 2WD
2017/2018 Chevrolet Truck SUBURBAN 4WD
2017/2018 Chevrolet Truck TAHOE 2WD LS
2017/2018 Chevrolet Truck TAHOE 4WD LS
2017/2018 Chevrolet Truck TRAVERSE 2WD
2017/2018 Chevrolet Truck TRAVERSE 4WD
2017/2018 Dodge Truck DURANGO 2WD
2017/2018 Dodge Truck DURANGO 4WD
2017/2018 Ford Truck EXPEDITION 2WD
2017/2018 Ford Truck EXPEDITION 4WD
2017/2018 Ford Truck EXPLORER 2WD
2017/2018 Ford Truck EXPLORER 4WD
2017/2018 Ford Truck FLEX AWD
2017/2018 GMC ACADIA 2WD
2017/2018 GMC ACADIA 4WD
2017/2018 GMC SIERRA C1500
2017/2018 GMC SIERRA K1500
2017/2018 GMC YUKON 2WD
2017/2018 GMC YUKON 4WD
2017/2018 GMC YUKON XL 2WD
2017/2018 GMC YUKON XL 4WD
2017/2018 Jeep GRAND CHEROKEE
2017/2018 Jeep GRAND CHEROKEE
2017/2018 Land Rover RANGE ROVER 4WD
2017/2018 Land Rover RANGE ROVER SPORT
2017/2018 Land Rover LR4
2017/2018 Lincoln MKT AWD
2017/2018 Lincoln NAVIGATOR 2WD
2017/2018 Lincoln NAVIGATOR 4WD
2017/2018 Mercedes-Benz G550
2017/2018 Mercedes-Benz GL350 BLUETEC
2017/2018 Mercedes-Benz ML350
2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Cargo Van
2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Crew Van
2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Passenger Van
2017/2018 Nissan ARMADA 2WD
2017/2018 Nissan ARMADA 4WD
2017/2018 Nissan TITAN 2WD CREW
2017/2018 Nissan TITAN 4WD CREW
2017/2018 Porsche CAYENNE
2017/2018 Ram CARGO VAN
2017/2018 Ram RAM 2WD 1500
2017/2018 Ram RAM 4WD 1500
2017/2018 Toyota 4RUNNER 2WD LTD
2017/2018 Toyota 4RUNNER 4WD LTD
2017/2018 Toyota SEQUOIA 2WD LTD
2017/2018 Toyota SEQUOIA 4WD LTD
2017/2018 Toyota TUNDRA 2WD
2017/2018 Toyota TUNDRA 4WD
2017/2018 Volkswagen TOUAREG
2017/2018 Volvo XC90
2017/2018 Volvo XC90 AWD