Christopher Just Purchased an Automobile for $40,000 Which He Plans

question 134

Essay

Christopher just purchased an automobile for $40,000 which he plans to claim 100% as being for business use. In order to take advantage of MACRS and § 179, he plans to use the actual cost method for determining his deduction in the first year. In subsequent years, he will switch to the automatic mileage method. Comment on Christopher's proposed approach.

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Definitions:

Accumulated Depreciation

The total amount of an asset's cost that has been allocated as depreciation expense over its useful life, reducing its book value on the balance sheet.

Asset

Tangible or intangible items of value owned or controlled by a person or company, capable of producing future economic benefits.

Straight-Line Depreciation

Straight-line depreciation is a method of allocating the cost of an asset evenly across its useful life.