Discussion:Client wants a new car to lower profit

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Revision as of 15:09, 28 October 2009
Death&Taxes (Talk | contribs)
(Here was my take)
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Revision as of 15:14, 28 October 2009
Seaside CPA (Talk | contribs)
(If the SUV is bu)
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 +{{ForumReplyPost|UserID=Seaside CPA|Date=28 October 2009|Text=If the SUV is built on a truck chassis and exceeds 6,000 pounds LOADED gross vehicle weight, you can take up to $25,000 in Section 179. If Loaded GVW is less than 6,000 pounds, you will be subject to the auto depreciation limits.}}

Revision as of 15:14, 28 October 2009

Discussion Forum Index --> Basic Tax Questions --> Client wants a new car to lower profit
Discussion Forum Index --> Tax Questions --> Client wants a new car to lower profit

KCGuy (talk|edits) said:

27 October 2009
I have a client who will be making over $100k on Schedule C and is worried that Self-Employment tax will be too high..He asked me about buying a SUV for business use only..he does have a SUV (small one) right now and has been taking SMR for last 3 years...he will give the old one to his son and buy new one weighing 5800lbs...can he take a section 179 on the new purchase and take SMR on the old one for the miles he drove for this year...if he can, how much is maximum if the cost is $42k...

Belle (talk|edits) said:

October 28, 2009
I believe the SUV weight limit for § 179 is 14000 lbs GVW. (fondly known as the Hummer rule)

Pickup trucks with 6 foot beds = 6000 lbs GVW. Either way - 5800 lbs isn't going to work for § 179. But yes, I do believe SMR for the first vehicle and actual for the replacement vehicle is allowable.

Belle (talk|edits) said:

October 28, 2009
Well, now I'm rethinking my position (after a bit of reading). §280f doesn't apply to SUVs (check the definition of SUV - being built on a truck chassis is part of the mix). So §179 is limited to $ 25000 (times the business % of use). What I just read (NOT IRS code as I'm at home w/o my research materials) seems ambiguous about an SUV weighing less the 6000 lbs GVW - as in your example.

Sorry - maybe I've just confused you more!

Death&Taxes (talk|edits) said:

28 October 2009
Good lord, sounds like you are back in 1983-84 again, when come late fall, many many clients would call and ask for my blessing to buy a new car. First question should be, 'do you need this?' Second should be, 'have you maxed out your SEP/401K?' and finally, "are you hoping for another 'cash for clunkers' in 2017?"

CrowJD (talk|edits) said:

28 October 2009
When you buy one of these monstrosities, it's wise to hedge your bet by buying stock in one of the oil giants. That way, at least you're paying yourself for the privilege of driving the thing.

I recommended to our senior pastor the other day that the church buy a SUV to get in good with the Muslim's who've set up a prayer house around the corner. He's partial to vans though, on account of entertaining his girlfriends.

Wiles (talk|edits) said:

28 October 2009
Agree with D&T. Don't let the tail wag the dog.

Just ask those folks who invested in LP's in the 80's how that worked out for them.

Just ask those folks who attempted to hold their ISOs 12 months in 1999-2000 how that worked for them.

Or ask those folks who 1031 exchanged into a TIC in 2006-2007 how it is working out for them. Oh wait! They haven't yet realized that their investments been hosed.

Unfortunately for us in this business, we will lose clients if we congratulate them about their profitability and recommend (after suggesting real solutions) that they are just better off paying the tax.

Death&Taxes (talk|edits) said:

28 October 2009
Here was my take from 2001 on the 'Gimme Shelter' questions:

http://www.writing.com/main/view_item/item_id/312669-MONEY-SCREAMS

Seaside CPA (talk|edits) said:

28 October 2009
If the SUV is built on a truck chassis and exceeds 6,000 pounds LOADED gross vehicle weight, you can take up to $25,000 in Section 179. If Loaded GVW is less than 6,000 pounds, you will be subject to the auto depreciation limits.