In January 2026, the Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) published an important guidance concerning the change in the additional first-year depreciation deduction as a result of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. This deduction is commonly referred to as bonus depreciation. Its main consequence is that businesses can allocate the cost of certain property to their tax returns sooner. Let us explore more about this update in this detailed blog.
What Is Bonus Depreciation?
When a firm invests in property that will be used in its operations, and such property includes equipment, machinery, qualified plants, or vehicles, normally the cost has to be spread out for several years. This is what depreciation is all about.
With the bonus depreciation, the business is allowed to write off a substantial portion or even the whole amount of that cost in the year the property is put to use. Thus, the taxable income is reduced in the year of purchase, which in turn can reduce the taxes to be paid for that year.
The recent legislation, popularly known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, has made a permanent change to bonus depreciation by fixing it at 100% for eligible property purchases done after January 19, 2025. As a result, the businesses will be able to claim the complete amount of the qualifying property as a write-off in the year of its installation.
Why the New IRS Guidance Matters for US Taxpayers
The IRS's guidance, released as Notice 2026-11, lays down the rules for the application of the bonus depreciation. It also made the following clarifications:
- What property is eligible?
- When property has to be bought or taken into use.
- What is the method to compute the deduction?
- What choices do companies have?
- How do some sound recording productions qualify?
This issue delivers a comprehensive explanation of the IRS's stance on the matter since the law's inception. It provides reassurance to the taxpayers that their interpretation of the rules is correct.
What Property is Eligible for Bonus Depreciation
The new rules are applicable to the qualified property which passes the following general tests:
Business Use: The property has to be purchased for business use.
Acquisition Date: The property has to be bought after January 19, 2025.
Placed in Service: It has to be put into use in a tax year after it is purchased.
Eligible Property Types: These comprise tangible property that has a recovery period of 20 years or less, including:
- Machinery
- Laptops
- Office chairs and desks
- Certain specified plants (must be planted or grafted after Jan. 19, 2025)
- Qualified sound recordings (under specific rules)
The law permits bonus depreciation for both new and qualifying used property as long as the acquisition meets certain requirements.
The (Internal Revenue Service)IRS has provided guidance on how to enforce these rules and how to determine if property qualifies for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
How Much Can You Deduct?
One Big Beautiful Bill covers:
A hundred percent bonus depreciation is a benefit for the future and forever in the case of the qualifying property acquired and in use after January 19, 2025.
The total cost of the property can be deducted in the first year instead of being distributed over many years.
Nevertheless, the IRS regulations give some guidance on the elections you can make:
- There is an option for the property that is placed in service during the first year after January 19, 2025, to be claimed as 40 % bonus depreciation rather than 100 %.
- For certain aircraft and other such properties with long production cycles, the nonstandard bonus rates could be 60% instead of 100%.
These alternatives allow you to devise a more prudent tax plan. For instance, a firm that anticipates paying higher taxes in the future might opt for lower bonus depreciation now and thereby spread deductions.
Elections and Options the IRS Guidance Covers
IRS Notification outlines regulations of several elections that taxpayers can opt for. Among these are the following:
- Deciding on the reduced bonus depreciation proportion.
- The full depreciation of certain designated plants is proffered.
- Treating larger self-constructed property components as qualifying.
- Declining to apply the bonus depreciation to eligible sound recording productions.
In legal terms, an "election" signifies the taxpayer's decision made while filing their tax return. The respective elections are bound by certain timing and reporting rules. Usually, once an election is made, it is irreversible without seeking IRS' consent.
The IRS notice specifies the rights of the taxpayers regarding their fiat and the adjustment of the bonus depreciation calculation resulting from the above elections.
Special Rule: Qualified Sound Recording Productions
The legislation of the latest amendment made the definition of property eligible for bonus depreciation broader by including some specific sound recordings into it.
To be eligible:
- The production must kick off in the taxable year ending after July 4, 2025.
- It is regarded as acquired when principal recording starts.
- It is regarded as being in service when it is first released or broadcasted.
This advantageous rule is a boon to the musicians, producers, and recording companies as they are allowed to recover the costs of music production over a period of time. The IRS Notice provides clarity on the qualifications and the time for claiming the deduction.
How This Affects Small Businesses in the USA
This is a major change for a lot of small businesses. The One Big Beautiful Bill had not yet come into force, and therefore, the bonus depreciation rules were going to be phased down and eventually discontinued. This was going to make long-term tax planning more difficult.
Now with the full bonus depreciation of 100% made permanent:
- Small businesses now get to write off the total expense of new and used qualifying property in the first year.
- This can lead to a considerable decrease in taxable income in the purchase year.
- Lower taxable income will mean lower taxes and better cash flow.
To illustrate, if a company invests in a new manufacturing machine costing $100,000, it would be able to claim a tax deduction of up to $100,000 in the year the machine is put into operation. Thus, the company will recover its investment faster.
How This Helps US Real Estate and Investment Firms
The real estate investors will gain a lot too. For the taxation purposes, some categories of assets such as machinery or improvements might be classified as full depreciation during the first year. Hence, after-tax cash flow from rentals or property development would become positive and even higher.
Developers and investors ought to seek the advice of their tax advisors on which specific assets of a real estate project can be considered for bonus depreciation. It's a complex area; therefore, not all types of real estate will qualify. Despite that, in cases where the items are qualified, the deduction might turn out to be considerable.
What Should US Businesses Do Next in 2026?
A straightforward plan is here to utilize the updated guidance:
- List Recent Purchases: Specify the property whose purchase date is after January 19, 2025.
- Review Eligibility: Verify that each item is eligible for the 100% bonus depreciation.
- Consider Elections: Make your choice between full or partial bonus depreciation.
- Talk to a Tax Professional: The interpretation of complex rules usually needs a specialist like The Fino Partners.
- Document Everything: Gather receipts, purchase dates, and service dates as proof.
- File Correctly: Abide by IRS regulations while reporting depreciation on tax returns.
These actions will, in the long run, allow you to exercise the rules rightly and, at the same time, not lose a great deduction chance.
The IRS guidance about the additional first-year depreciation deduction elucidates a central tax benefit that has been made permanent under the One Big Beautiful Bill. A clear path to claiming 100% bonus depreciation in the first year is now open for businesses that purchase qualifying properties like equipment, machinery, sound recording productions, etc.
Related Resources
- 2026 IRS Tax and Retirement Update: What Every Saver and Taxpayer Should Know
- IRS Reminds Tax Professionals to Renew PTINs for the 2026 Tax Season
- IRS Guidance on Qualified Tips and Tipped Occupations
The newly enacted regulations provide room for strategic decisions, enhance cash flow, and facilitate investments in business growth. Whether you are running a small business, or are an investor, or a tax preparer, being familiar with the guidance will enable you to make the best tax decisions.
Get in touch with The Fino Partners to get the latest IRS updates for your business in 2026.
