Fixed Asset Analysis

The PM Business Advisors Federal Tax Credits & Incentives Practice takes a truly client-centric approach to fixed asset analysis incorporating, as applicable, Construction Tax Planning, Cost Segregation Analysis, and Tangible Property Regulations compliance.

A properly designed and implemented Construction Tax Planning engagement will proactively identify additional tax savings related to new and/or planned construction projects. It should be noted that a Construction Tax Planning engagement should not be confused with a Cost Segregation engagement. As a reminder, there are several differences between a Cost Segregation Engagement and a Construction Tax Planning Engagement.

The Difference Between Cost Segregation and Construction Tax Planning

A Cost Segregation Engagement will methodically review property, plant and equipment, and properly reclassify real property (e.g., property that is generally depreciated for tax return purposes over a period of either 27.5 or 39 years) into personal property (e.g., property that is generally depreciated for tax return purposes over a period of either 3, 5, 7 or 15 years) by reviewing all of the structural components within the building structure (e.g., exterior walls, roof, windows, doors, etc.) and the building systems (e.g., lighting, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, escalators, elevators, fire protection and alarm systems, security systems, gas distribution systems, etc.).

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In general, floor plans and blueprints are meticulously reviewed and site inspections are conducted to review the building envelope as part of a Cost Segregation engagement to ensure sustainable assessments for tax return filing positions per Circular 230.

In contrast, a Construction Tax Planning Engagement utilizes a proactive Pre-Design Phase approach to identifying additional tax savings related to new and/or planned construction projects whether in connection to constructing a new building, adding a new wing to an existing building, or merely renovating a single floor within an existing building.

Construction Tax Planning

Construction Tax Planning enables accelerated depreciation deductions through the recommendation of select materials and supplies to be utilized in the Construction Phase to ensure that the structural components will be classified as personal property as opposed to real property (e.g., the use of a modular wall as opposed to permanently affixing a wall to bifurcate office and/or conference room space within the floor configuration layout will enable the said structural components to be classified as personal property with a 5 year class life as opposed to real property with a 39 year class life).

Construction Tax Planning

In addition, Form 3115 is never filed, as Construction Tax Planning is proactive and not reactive. Noting, there is no need to reclassify asset classifications as all of the structural components of the building envelope are properly classified when they are initially placed into service on a timely filed tax return.

This mitigates IRS audit risk as an accounting method change never occurred and therefore Form 3115 is not filed. It should be recalled that Accounting Method changes only occur when a transaction is treated a certain way on a tax return (i.e., regardless of correctly or incorrectly) for a period of two years or more.

Finally, and as applicable, by combining Cost Segregation analysis with both the principles of Construction Tax Planning and Abandonment Deduction Planning per the Final Treasury Regulations governing Tangible Property (e.g., the retirement or abandonment of structural components within the building envelope before they have been fully depreciated over their asset class life for tax return purposes), you can optimize the true value of a comprehensive fixed asset analysis.

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Please contact PM Business Advisors today for a complimentary consultation on how our client-centric methodology for fixed assets analysis will add the most value to your company’s bottom line through accelerated depreciation planning and increased cash flows for your business.

Fixed Asset Analysis