Buying a car is an investment many of us make in our lives, often at considerable expense. You use cars so much; commuting to work, getting the kids to school or soccer practice, running errands, or going on weekend trips.
Your vehicles are with us in the happiest and busiest times of our lives – that’s why some people get creative with bobbleheads and tassels! But understandably, all these expenses begin to add up.
Fortunately, there is a way to get some of your money back: Section 179 of the IRS allows business owners to deduct the full purchase price of qualifying equipment as expenses when the properties are placed in service.
So if you’re looking for ways to save money and reduce your expenses, this option is worth considering!
Key Takeaways
- Qualifying vehicles must be more than 50% of the vehicle’s use for business purposes.
- You can receive up to $19,200 in deductions for business vehicles up to 6,000 pounds with the Section 179 deduction and bonus depreciation combination in 2022. It is $18,000 for the second year, $10,800 for the third year, and $6,460 for any future years.
- Generally, you can get up to a $27,000 first-year deduction in 2022 ($28,900 in 2023) for vehicles weighing over 6,000 but not more than 14,000 pounds. After that, you need to follow a regular depreciation schedule.
Understanding Section 179 Deduction
The IRS tax code has long allowed businesses to claim deductions for tangible personal property for business purposes. The most common examples are computers, office furniture, or other equipment used in your day-to-day operations.
For the tax year 2022, the deduction limit is $1,080,000 of the full purchase price of qualifying equipment. In 2023, this limit will increase to $1,160,000 due to inflation adjustment.
Also, this deduction begins phasing out when the total qualifying equipment purchased exceeds a certain threshold ($2.7M for the tax year 2022), so business owners must understand how much they can claim, and what vehicles qualify for the removal.
You can write off your entire purchase price in one lump sum instead of depreciating it over several years, meaning immediate savings.
Furthermore, the real boon for small businesses comes from the Section 179 Deductions – available to those who purchase either new or used vehicles under a certain Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).
You may also like: 4 Reasons to Take Advantage of Section 179 Deduction 2023
Vehicle Qualifications for Section 179 Tax Deduction in 2023
Businesses to have several types of vehicle purchases that qualify for the Section 179 Deductions come 2023, including cars, pickup trucks, and SUVs:
- Heavy Vehicle: Vehicles used in business more than 50% of the time with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating between 6,000 lbs. and 14,000 lbs.
- Small Vehicle: Vehicles used in business more than 50% of the time with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating lower than 6,000 lbs.
In addition, the IRS also specifies specific rules about passenger capacity and other specifications to which vehicles must adhere to qualify.
Also, business owners understand these qualifications before committing to a purchase, so they know they can reap the most significant savings when tax season comes around.
Gross vehicle weight rating
Simply put, this determines whether or not a particular vehicle could be classed as “light duty” versus “heavy duty” – with light duty generally being exempt from limitations (as long as it meets other eligibility requirements).
Section 179 Cars
While there are some exceptions (specifically a passenger van, pickup, or panel truck designed for more than nine passengers), most cars are eligible for this deduction.
Small business owners can save on luxury models like BMWs and Cadillacs without worrying about depreciation over time.
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SUVs
SUVs are another popular option for taking advantage of the Section 179 Deduction. Similar rules apply to other vehicles, though they must meet specific qualifications to be eligible for this tax deduction (specifically, an SUV must have a GVWR of 6,000 pounds or more).
However, larger model SUVs tend to exceed this limit, so those looking for the most significant savings may consider a smaller crossover or light-duty full-size model instead.
Other vehicles
Aside from cars and SUVs, other vehicles qualify under Section 179 Deductions, such as cargo vans and buses with seating no more than nine passengers.
As always, these vehicles must meet all eligibility requirements specified by the IRS for business owners to take advantage of this business deduction.
That said, if you’re in the market for one of these types of vehicles, it pays to know what qualifies before committing to a purchase.
Section 179 Deduction Vehicle List in 2023
With all that said, here is what the IRS currently considers qualifying vehicles under Section 179 Deduction in 2023:
- Audi Q7
- BMW X5, X6
- Buick Enclave
- Cadillac XT5, XT6, Escalade
- Chevrolet Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe, Traverse
- Chrysler Pacifica
- Dodge Durango, Grand Caravan
- Ford Expedition, Explorer, F-150, and larger
- GMC Acadia, Sierra, Yukon
- Honda Pilot 4WD, Odyssey
- Infiniti QX80, QX56
- Jeep Grand Cherokee
- Land Rover Range Rover, Discovery
- Lexus GX460, LX570
- Lincoln MKT AWD, Navigator
- Mercedes-Benz G550, GLS, GLE, Metris, Sprinter
- Nissan Armada, NV 1500, NVP 3500, Titan
- Porsche Cayenne
- Tesla Model X
- Toyota 4Runner, Landcruiser, Sequoia, Tundra
All these vehicles are eligible for Section 179 deductions in 2023 tax year when purchased between January 1st, 2023, and December 31st, 2023.
May Truck Models Qualify For Section 179 Deduction 2023?
If you’re considering buying a truck for your tow truck enterprise, you might be wondering if any of the models exceeding 6,000 pounds in gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) qualify for a Section 179 deduction in 2023. The good news is that some trucks listed below might be eligible for the deduction, which could help reduce your taxable income.
Check out the table below to see which trucks meet your needs. We’ve included their average GVWR so it’s easy for you to compare:
The List of Qualifying Truck Models For Section 179 Deduction
| Truck Model and Year | GVWR (lbs) |
|---|---|
| 2023 Ram 3500 | 10,700-11,400 |
| 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 | 6,700-7,200 |
| 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | 6,700-7,100 |
| 2022 Ford F250 | 10,000 |
| 2022 Ford F450 | 14,000 |
| 2022 Ford F650 | 20,500-29,000 |
| 2021 Kenworth T880 | 34,200 |
| 2020 Ford F550 | 19,500 |
| 2020 Ram 5500 | 19,500 |
| 2007 Peterbilt 378 | 50,000 |
| 2007 Peterbilt 379 | 48,000 |
| 2007 Chevrolet 3500 | 9,700-11,400 |
| 2004 International 4300 | 23,500 |
How Much Can I Receive For Each Eligible Vehicle in 2023?
The Section 179 deduction and bonus depreciation combination in 2022 allows businesses to claim up to $19,200 in deductions for vehicles weighing less than 6,000 pounds, $18,000 for the second year, $10,800 for the third year and $6,460 for any subsequent years.
For vehicles weighing more than 6,000 but less than 14,000 pounds, a maximum first-year deduction of up to $27,000 is allowed for 2022 ($28,900 in 2023), followed by regular depreciation schedules.
Additional Benefits: Special Bonus Depreciation
Business owners can take advantage of the special bonus depreciation rules after claiming section 179 deductions for vehicles to reduce their taxable income further. Businesses can unlock additional savings with special bonus depreciation – which ramps down to 80% in 2023.
This depreciation allows for a dollar-for-dollar deduction of new and used business equipment purchases, providing an additional benefit to the Section 179 Deduction.
Furthermore, the spending cap increased to $4,050,000 in 2023 recently – allowing businesses to save even more money on large capital items with these tax deductions.
Wrap-Up
Working with the Section 179 deduction for vehicles is an excellent way for businesses to save substantial money regarding taxes.
Understanding which types of vehicles qualify and how much you can claim in deductions allows business owners to maximize their savings each year.
With cars, SUVs, cargo vans, and other equipment all eligible for this tax credit, the potential savings are worth investigating. The Section 179 Deduction Vehicle List 2023 represents an excellent opportunity for businesses looking to make their purchases count when it comes time to pay taxes – so take advantage of these significant savings!
