Lesson · Facts First
Equipment Leasing
The question is never "can we afford it" - it is who owns the depreciation and who carries the risk of obsolescence.
The facts
- 01Section 179 lets a business elect to expense qualifying equipment in year one, capped yearly (2026 cap $2,560,000 with a $4,090,000 phase-out threshold under Rev. Proc. 2025-19) - income limits apply.
- 02Bonus depreciation continues its statutory phase-down (40% for 2026 placed-in-service property); Section 179 and bonus interact - plan the mix.
- 03True leases (operating) keep the asset off your books and the payments deductible; $1-out capital leases are purchases in disguise - depreciation belongs to the owner for tax.
- 04Selling or trading in equipment has its own gain/recapture math (IRC 1245) - the year you dispose matters as much as the year you buy.
Sources
- IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-19 (2026 Section 179 caps)
- IRC Sections 179, 168(k), 1245
Educational content only — not tax, legal, investment, or VA-benefits advice. Figures verified against the cited sources for 2026; confirm your own situation with a qualified professional before acting.
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