Jump to content
ATX Community

Travel Trailer Depreciation


grandmabee

Recommended Posts

I used to have a client who was a job foreman for a large construction company, maintained a permanent home in my state,

where he lived between jobs. I took depreciation on his travel trailer, don't remember how many years.

There is lots of case law in this area, that defines the line between permanent and temporary which allows the depreciation of a trailer trailer or a motor home.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

He has a home residence but he is on an out of town temporary job.  Tired of staying and paying hotels so purchased a used RV trailer to use on job site area.  He pays space rent and I was going to depreciate the trailer.  He is planning on selling once done and will report sale also.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You might consider "Certain

On ‎03‎/‎06‎/‎2016 at 7:16 AM, Abby Normal said:

Could be considered "Personal Property With No Class Life", which is assigned 7 years.

Also note that a trailer used for farm worker housing is 7 years (or 15 years with the wheels removed)  per pub 225.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

8 hours ago, Max W said:

I think this topic has run off the road. If it is personal use, which it seems to be, there is no depreciation.  By his own words, it was purchased to save money on hotels.  

But if the the hotel expenses would have been deductible, then I see no reason why the portion of the use of the mobile home that replaces the deductible hotel expense, should not be a business expenses.  But beware of the rules about temporary jobs vs establishing a tax home, and consider the consequences at the end of the temporary job if he converts the RV to personal use or sells it.

  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

10 hours ago, Max W said:

I think this topic has run off the road. If it is personal use, which it seems to be, there is no depreciation.  By his own words, it was purchased to save money on hotels.  

A deduction was allowed for that very reason in Austin Otology Associates v Commissioner (but for only one month). 

The deduction is allowable under section 162(a)(2). Substantiation is critical.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...