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De minimis safe harbor

An election that lets a business expense items costing up to $2,500 each (or $5,000 with an applicable financial statement) instead of capitalizing and depreciating them.

What is De minimis safe harbor?

An election that lets a business expense items costing up to $2,500 each (or $5,000 with an applicable financial statement) instead of capitalizing and depreciating them.

Why it matters on your return

It removes most laptops, furniture, and small equipment from the depreciation schedule and takes the deduction immediately. The election must be made each year on the return.

Example

A design studio buys six monitors at $900 each. With the election, $5,400 is expensed this year. Without it, each monitor is depreciated over five years.

Do I need to make the election every year?

Yes. It is an annual statement attached to a timely filed return.

Last reviewed September 15, 2026. Tax rules change; confirm current law before acting.

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