Question

Bonnie Jo purchased a used computer (5-year property) for use in her sole proprietorship. The basis of the computer was $2,800. Bonnie Jo used the computer in her business 60 percent of the time and used it for personal purposes the rest of the time during the first year. Calculate Bonnie Jo's depreciation expense during the first year assuming the sole proprietorship had a loss during the year (Bonnie did not place the property in service in the last quarter): (Use MACRS Table 1)

Answer 1

Basis of computer = $2800

Property period = 5 years

For half year convention applies

Depreciation rate for first year for 5 year property = 20% = 0.20 ( from the MACRS table 1 shown below)

Asset used in business = 60% = 0.60

Loss during the first year = $2800 x 0.20 x 0.60 = $336