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August 6, 2024
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Eligibility to claim Section 179 Deduction and standard mileage or actual cost deduction for a newly aquired car.

  • August 6, 2024
  • 1 reply
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I will be purchasing a used car for business use before the end of this year. To enable myself to claim either standard or actual cost rate deduction in future years, I need to claim standard mileage rate this first year correct? Does this disqualify me from a Standard 179 Deduction however, if I claim standard mileage rate?

    Best answer by Bsch4477

    If you take a section 179 deduction you cannot use the standard mileage rate to calculate your car expenses. Also, if you claim either a section 179 deduction or use a depreciation method other than straight line in the first year the car is in service, you cannot use the standard mileage rate on that car in any future year. You need to use standard mileage rate during the first year of use in order to continue using this deduction

    1 reply

    Employee
    August 6, 2024

    To use the standard mileage rate for a car you own, you must choose to use it in the first year the car is available for use in your business. Then, in later years, you can choose to use the standard mileage rate or actual expenses.

    You can’t in addition take 179 depreciation. 

    August 6, 2024

    So then @Bsch4477,  for the vehicle I am about to purchase, what benefit is the Section 179 Deduction for the purchase cost if I am then not able to do standard mileage rate deduction within the first year? Per your reply I need to use standard mileage rate during the first year of use in order to continue using this deduction correct?

    Bsch4477Answer
    Employee
    August 6, 2024

    If you take a section 179 deduction you cannot use the standard mileage rate to calculate your car expenses. Also, if you claim either a section 179 deduction or use a depreciation method other than straight line in the first year the car is in service, you cannot use the standard mileage rate on that car in any future year. You need to use standard mileage rate during the first year of use in order to continue using this deduction