Update on Luxury Auto Depreciation Deductions for Businesses

Federal income tax deductions for taxpayers who use passenger autos more than 50% for business were permanently expanded by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). These increased depreciation allowances are indexed annually for inflation. Here's what you should know about depreciation allowances for passenger autos that are classified as luxury autos for 2023 and yet-to-be-filed 2022 federal income tax returns.

The Basics

For new and used passenger autos driven over 50% for business, the TCJA increased the so-called luxury auto depreciation limitations. For this purpose, passenger autos include cars and SUVs, trucks and vans with gross vehicle weight ratings (GVWRs) of 6,000 pounds or less.

Annual inflation-adjusted allowances assume 100% business use. If business use is more than 50% but less than 100%, the allowances are proportionately reduced.

The luxury auto depreciation limitations are the same for cars, light SUVs, light trucks and light vans. (Before the TCJA, the limits for light trucks and light vans were slightly higher.)

If first-year bonus depreciation is claimed for a new or used passenger auto, the maximum first-year luxury auto depreciation allowance is increased by $8,000. However, to claim first-year bonus depreciation for a used vehicle, it must be new to the taxpayer (you or your business entity).

2022 Limitations

If you haven't yet completed your 2022 tax return, you might be interested in reviewing last year's inflation-adjusted limits. For passenger autos placed in service in 2022, the maximum luxury auto depreciation deductions are:

• $19,200 for year 1 if bonus depreciation is claimed ($11,200 if bonus depreciation isn't claimed),
• $18,000 for year 2,
• $10,800 for year 3, and
• $6,460 for year 4 and thereafter until the vehicle is fully depreciated.

For vehicles acquired and placed in service in 2022, the $11,200 first-year luxury auto depreciation limit applies only to vehicles that cost $56,000 or more. If first-year bonus depreciation of $8,000 is claimed, the $19,200 first-year luxury auto depreciation limit applies only to vehicles that cost $64,000 or more.

2023 Limitations

For passenger autos placed in service in 2023, the maximum luxury auto depreciation deductions are:

• $20,200 for year 1 if bonus depreciation is claimed ($12,200 if bonus depreciation isn't claimed),
• $19,500 for year 2,
• $11,700 for year 3, and
• $6,960 for year 4 and thereafter until the vehicle is fully depreciated.

For vehicles acquired and placed in service in 2023, the $12,200 first-year luxury auto depreciation limit applies only to vehicles that cost $61,000 or more. If first-year bonus depreciation of $8,000 is claimed, the $20,200 first-year luxury auto depreciation limit applies only to vehicles that cost $69,000 or more.

Deductions for Leased Passenger Autos

Taxpayers that lease passenger autos and use them for business can deduct all or part of the lease payments, based on the business use percentage. But leased vehicles can't escape the luxury auto depreciation limitations that apply to owned passenger autos. Lessees must include a designated amount in taxable income—known as the lease income inclusion—for each year of the lease if the vehicle's fair market value (FMV) exceeds the applicable dollar amount at the beginning of the lease.

This rule is applied by reducing the lease deduction for the year by the income exclusion amount for that year. The IRS publishes an updated lease income inclusion table for each calendar year. The FMV threshold for the lease income inclusion rule to come into play is $60,001 for passenger autos first leased in 2023 (up from $56,001 for 2022).

Rules for Nonluxury Vehicles

Less expensive passenger autos used over 50% for business are depreciated as five-year modified accelerated cost recovery system (MACRS) property. For example, in 2023, Angela buys a $40,000 car that she uses 100% for business. She claims first-year bonus depreciation of $8,000 for 2023. The car's cost is well below the annual inflation-adjusted threshold for the luxury auto limitation ($69,000 for 2023).

So Angela's allowable MACRS depreciation deductions are calculated as follows:

Rules for Heavy SUVs, Pickups, and Vans Used for Business

More-generous federal income tax depreciation rules can apply to SUVs, pickups and vans with gross vehicle weight ratings (GVWRs) in excess of 6,000 pounds if they're used more than 50% for business. Specifically, these vehicles can potentially qualify for substantial first-year bonus depreciation and Section 179 deductions. Ask your SSB tax advisor for details.

For More Information

The federal income tax rules for depreciating vehicles used over 50% for business vary depending on whether they're classified as passenger autos vs. heavy SUVs, trucks and vans and how much they cost. If you're considering buying a new or used vehicle to use in your business, check with your SSB tax advisor before finalizing the deal to understand the tax results.

©  2023