Page 10 - MetalForming December 2010

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METALFORMING / DECEMBER 2010
www.metalformingmagazine.com
Michael Bleau has served manufacturing and consumer- related industries since 1986. Prior to forming Industry Scope, a strategic b2b and b2c sales and marketing consultancy, in 2002, he held executive positions for several automation and press manufacturers. Michael regularly consults with manufacturing companies on strategic planning, sales and marketing, brand and product development, PR and sales-channel development. Industry Scope
tel. 810/397-1429
mbleau@industry-scope.com www.industry-scope.com
If you are a metal stamper or a supplier serving the industry, you have an opportunity to leverage Uncle Sam’s pocketbook. But you’d better hurry, since the best part of this deal ends in 2010. I’m referring to the bonus deduc- tion of Section 179 of the tax code.
This tax code was created to help small businesses deduct the full amount, within limits, for the purchase of equip- ment, vehicles and other tangible per- sonal property. Enacted originally in the early 1960s, it became most notable in the ’80s when Congress upped the lim- its. Most recently, it received special provisions to spur economic growth by doubling the available deduction through The Small Business Jobs and Credit Act of 2010. After a quick review, you may find it enticing as a manufac- turer to quickly take possession of need- ed equipment or encouraging as an equipment supplier to make that big sales push as we close out the year.
Section 179 Summary (Source: www.section179.org)
• Taxpayers can write off up to $500,000 of qualified capital expendi- tures—subject to a dollar-for-dollar phase-out once these expenditures exceed $2,000,000—for 2010 and 2011.
• Chances are if you use it in your business it probably qualifies, including machines, software, computers, office furniture and equipment, vehicles with a gross vehicle weight in excess of 6000 lb. and qualifying real estate.
• Section 179 extends a first-year 50- percent depreciation for qualifying pur- chases placed in service during 2010. However, the 50-percent bonus depre- ciation is not extended into 2011 and can be used in combination with Section 179 assets, but not for the same assets— no double-dipping.
• The code allows a business to deduct, for the current tax year, the full purchase price of financed or leased equipment that qualifies for the deduction. The equip- ment must be placed into service in the same tax year that the deduction is taken.
• By deducting the full cost, you may substantially lower the amount you pay for equipment through earned deduc- tions. And, if the equipment is financed or leased, it’s possible to receive a tax reduction that exceeds the amount of financing that must be paid in the first year or two, thus resulting in a positive cash flow.
• If your company is operating in an Enterprise Zone and Renewal Commu- nity Businesses, the New York Liberty Zone, or the Gulf Opportunity Zone, you may qualify for increased deductions.
David Duffy, managing member of David Duffy, CPA & Co., PLLC, Royal Oak, MI, affirms that Section 179 was designed to benefit small to medium- sized companies. Duffy explains that businesses are allowed to deduct Section 179 to the extent that it doesn’t create a tax loss. And if you take 179 on an item and are in a tax-loss position, then the 179 portion that contributes to the loss is suspended and carried forward to apply in the first subsequent year that you have a tax profit, and then only to the extent that you have a profit. Unused, suspended 179 deductions continue to carry for- ward until they have been fully applied.
While you may have only the balance of this month to act and earn the bonus deduction, it may be well worth the effort. It’s not very often that our friends at the IRS make way for a Merry Christ- mas, so let’s not disappoint scrooge— spend, spend, spend and save. MF
Special thanks to Jim Ward at Coe Press Equipment for bringing Section 179 to my attention.
THE BUSINESS OF METALFORMING MICHAEL BLEAU
Section 179: Buy and Sell Before Time’s Up