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Publication 946
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taxmap/pubs/p946-013.htm#en_us_publink1000107452

When Must You Recapture the Deduction?(p24)

rule
previous topic occurrence Depreciation, Recapture next topic occurrence

Words you may need to know (see Glossary)

You may have to recapture the section 179 deduction if, in any year during the property's recovery period, the percentage of business use drops to 50% or less. In the year the business use drops to 50% or less, you include the recapture amount as ordinary income in Part IV of Form 4797. You also increase the basis of the property by the recapture amount. Recovery periods for property are discussed under Which Recovery Period Applies in chapter 4.
EIC
If you sell, exchange, or otherwise dispose of the property, do not figure the recapture amount under the rules explained in this discussion. Instead, use the rules for recapturing depreciation explained in chapter 3 of Publication 544 under Section 1245 Property.
EIC
If the property is listed property (described in chapter 5), do not figure the recapture amount under the rules explained in this discussion when the percentage of business use drops to 50% or less. Instead, use the rules for recapturing excess depreciation in chapter 5 under What Is the Business-Use Requirement.
taxmap/pubs/p946-013.htm#en_us_publink1000107455

Figuring the recapture amount.(p24)

rule
To figure the amount to recapture, take the following steps.
  1. Figure the depreciation that would have been allowable on the section 179 deduction you claimed. Begin with the year you placed the property in service and include the year of recapture.
  2. Subtract the depreciation figured in (1) from the section 179 deduction you claimed. The result is the amount you must recapture.
taxmap/pubs/p946-013.htm#en_us_publink1000107456

Example.(p24)

In January 2008, Paul Lamb, a calendar year taxpayer, bought and placed in service section 179 property costing $10,000. The property is not listed property. The property is 3-year property. He elected a $5,000 section 179 deduction for the property and also elected not to claim a special depreciation allowance. He used the property only for business in 2008 and 2009. In 2010, he used the property 40% for business and 60% for personal use. He figures his recapture amount as follows.
Section 179 deduction claimed (2008)$5,000.00
Minus: Allowable depreciation using Table A-1
  (instead of section 179 deduction): 		 
2008$1,666.50 
20092,222.50 
2010 ($740.50 × 40% (business))296.204,185.20
2010 — Recapture amount$ 814.80
Paul must include $814.80 in income for 2010.
EIC
If any qualified zone property or qualified renewal property placed in service during the year ceases to be used in an empowerment zone or renewal community by an enterprise zone business or a renewal community business in a later year, the benefit of the increased section 179 deduction must be reported as other income on your return. Similar rules apply to qualified section 179 GO Zone property.
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