Auto Rules 

Course Description:

Operating costs for vehicles used in the course of a taxpayer's business are deductible. Thus, when taxpayers use their vehicles in their businesses or employment, they can deduct that portion of the cost of operating their vehicle. Such costs that can be deducted are property taxes that are paid on their vehicle if deductions are itemized on Schedule A. This mini-course reviews apportionment of personal and business use, the actual cost method, and the standard mileage method, and expensing. Moreover, this presentation informs practitioners about topics such as the benefits and costs of leasing versus owning, and working condition fringe benefits.

Learning Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Recognize tax vehicle depreciation (§168) and expensing (§179) methods including their requirements and limitations under MACRS and recognize basis, business use and deduction computations
• Specify the predominate business use rule emphasizing the result of less than 50% qualified business use, cite the pros and cons of auto leasing and determine how to estimate monthly lease payments indicating what factors affect payments so clients may recognize leasing costs and know common leasing terms.
• Identify items included under the standard mileage method listing items that may be separately deducted, determine the taxable fringe benefit value of an employer provided automobile using the general and special valuation methods and specify several qualified non-personal use vehicles discussing what reporting standards apply