Why is turbotax's calculation of my rental property depreciation not matching up with the calculation using the IRS table from Publication 527?

Is there a specific calculation on a specific page in IRS Publication 527 that you are referring to?

If there are differences in the asset depreciation amount, refer to the terms of of the depreciation computation.  The difference could simply be a different valuation of land, a 179 deduction claimed, or a Half-year convention rather than Mid-month convention.

Your rental property asset depreciation details are displayed at the screen Asset Summary including years to depreciation, convention and depreciation method.  The same details are available on the landscape display Form 4562 Depreciation and Amortization Report which may be viewed at Tax Tools / Print Center / Print, save or preview this year's return / Include government and TurboTax worksheets.

The most important question I have is this:

Are you renting out "A percentage of" your residence or other personal use property? If so, then I have no doubt the depreciation figured by the program is flat out wrong. If this is your case, then please give me the details and I can help.

Also note that you "MAY" have entered incorrect figures in the program, if the property is 100% rental use. In the assets/depreciation section, elect to edit the property asset and check these numbers.

COST: This is what you paid for the property "IN FULL" at the time you originally purchased it. The figure you see in this box "might" be a little lower or higher , as the program will take into account things such as closing costs and property improvements you paid for after your initial purchase of the property. The important thing for this box, is that it includes the "TOTAL" of the cost of structure, as well as the value of the land.

COST OF LAND: this box will be lower than the amount in the COST box. The amount in the COST OF LAND box, is the portion of the amount in the COST box that is allocated to the land.

Subtract the COST OF LAND from the COST, and that answer is the amount that gets depreciated over the next 27.5 years.

For "days rented" select "the whole year". Doesn't matter if you converted it to a rental on Dec 30 of the tax year either. Your depreciation allowed is based on the "Available date" that you entered.

If asked for personal use days, the answer is ZERO. It's asking for the number of days you lived in the property as your primary residence, 2nd home, vacation home or any other "personal pleasure" type of use *after* you converted it to a rental. What you used the property for before the "available date" does not count for anything.