The Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 provides incentives to businesses. These incentives include a special 50-percent depreciation allowance for 2008 purchases and an increase in the section 179 expenses.

50-Percent Special Depreciation Allowance.

Under the Stimulus Act of 2008, a taxpayer is entitled to depreciate 50 percent of the adjusted basis of certain qualified property during the year that the property is placed in service. To qualify for the 50 percent special depreciation allowance, the property must be placed in service after Dec. 31, 2007, but generally before Jan. 1, 2009.

To reflect the new 50-percent special depreciation allowance, the IRS is developing a new version of the depreciation and amortization form for fiscal year filers. The new form will be designated as the 2007 Form 4562-FY.

Section 179 Expensing

Under the new law, a qualifying business can expense up to $250,000 of section 179 property purchased by the taxpayer in a tax year beginning in 2008. The $250,000 amount provided under the new law is reduced if the cost of all section 179 property placed in service by the taxpayer during the tax year exceeds $800,000.

The new law does not alter the section 179 limitation imposed on sport utility vehicles, which have an expense limit of $25,000.