missed depreciation on rental

Forum|Forum|1 year ago
March 3, 2025
2 replies
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From prior messages i see that I must do a 3115 for missed rental property depreciation.
Twice I have called TurboTax help line and been told that if I did not take it I do not need to deal with recapture upon sale of the property.
I believe this is false..??

MindyB

You are correct- to resolve this you probably need to file a 3115. Upon disposition, you must recapture depreciation allowed or allowable (meaning the amount missed gets included here which is not a good result.)

If you only filed one year with missed depreciation, you can choose to go back one year and amend, or file a 3115. That's because an error becomes your "accounting method" when done for 2 years or more, then the option goes away and you must file a 3115.

Form 3115 is not supported for e-file or TurboTax Online, so use a Desktop version and paper file.

Here is an article you may find helpful: What should I do if I didn’t take depreciation on my rental property?

cjnesAuthor

Thanks- I had never taken depreciation as I was not even making much money on the rental and was advised I did not need to take it. I now hear this was incorrect-----info provided by turbotax online agent (twice).
I will do 3115 this year to catch-up.

will this drastically affect what i owe this year (2024) in taxes?

AmeliesUncle

@cjnes wrote:
for missed rental property depreciation.

Just a bit of a clarification: It isn't merely for "missed" depreciation; it is for missing depreciation due to an incorrect Accounting Method.

If you did not take depreciation in the first or second year of it being "placed in service", yes, you need Form 3115 to start claiming depreciation and to 'catch up' on the missed depreciation. If you originally started taking depreciation in the first and/or second year, but then later stopped claiming depreciation, that can only be corrected by amending.

cjnesAuthor

You are correct- not "missed" actually never taken (7 years)

So if I do form 3115 for 2024 I also take the depreciation for 2024 on schedule E correct?

AmeliesUncle

Yes, Form 3115 needs to be filed, which will allow you to enter the 'catch up' depreciation. And you will claim the current-year depreciation as well.

Yes, the additional deduction due to the 'catch up' depreciation could significantly impact your tax return. But rental property usually is a "passive" activity which sometimes limits your current-year deduction, so it is possible some of that deduction will need to be carried forward (depending on your specific circumstances).

I recommend going to a good tax professional this year to do that.