Bonus depreciation represents an attractive tax-benefiting tool for businesses by allowing them to recover a good portion of their eligible purchases without having to use the traditional approach (and timeline) of amortization and depreciation. This incentivizes business owners to invest in their companies by purchasing assets through the bonus depreciation process, instead of having to wait to gain tax breaks in the long run. Businesses can use bonus depreciation to deduct the cost of assets such as computers and equipment, furniture, fixture and certain vehicles.

For business owners to qualify for bonus depreciation, the assets must be new, and paid in full or financed (does not include leased assets). Also, the assets must be business use and not used for personal use. The timing of the asset purchase affects current year tax benefits. If a business purchases an asset before the end of the tax year, it will receive the deduction for the entire value of the asset. If the business purchases the asset in the following year, the deduction will only be for the remaining value of the asset.

Form 4562, commonly referred to as Depreciation and Amortization Form, is used to report bonus depreciation, in addition to other types of depreciation and amortization, for both business and individual use. The form is also used for any Section 179 deductions, which is an additional tax incentive for businesses that allows them to deduct the full purchase price of qualifying equipment from their taxes. In summary, bonus depreciation is a tax incentive of enormous benefit to businesses, and form 4562 is the form business owners use to keep records of their investments and deductions when claiming such incentives.

Bonus depreciation is an important tool for business owners to consider when investing in their businesses, with the ability to reduce their taxable income, and thus lowering their tax liability. It is necessary that business owners keep track of the changing rules and regulations, so that they are able to effectively use the program for maximum benefit.