The lowdown on depreciation

Description

Abstract: Changes in tax rules for depreciation may have unexpected effects on borrowers’ financial statements. Lenders who don’t understand their potential impact might respond incorrectly to their borrowers’ financials. This article discusses the effects that Section 179 expensing and bonus depreciation will have on some borrowers’ balance sheets and income statements — effects that are different for borrowers who provide tax-basis financial statements than for those who use Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). A sidebar discusses these breaks as they affect companies with leasehold, restaurant or retail properties.