Amortization (tax law)

In tax law, amortization refers to the cost recovery system for intangible property. Although the theory behind cost recovery deductions of amortization is to deduct from, basis in a systematic manner over their estimated useful economic lives so as to reflect their consumption, expiration, obsolescence or other decline in value as a result of use or the passage of time, many times a perfect match of income and deductions does not occur for policy reasons. The United States Congress gives taxpayers larger deductions in the early years of an asset’s useful life.

Depreciation

A corresponding concept for tangible assets is depreciation. Methodologies for allocating amortization to each tax period are generally the same as for depreciation. However, many intangible assets such as goodwill or certain brands may be deemed to have an indefinite useful life, or “self-created” and are therefore not subject to amortization. [House Report No. 103-111, 103rd Congress, 25 May 1993.]

Intangible property

Intangible property which is subject to amortization must be described in 26 U.S.C. §§ 197(c)(1) and 197(d) and must be property be held either for use in a trade, business, or for the production of income. Before 1993, the United States Tax Code did not contain provisions for cost recovery of intangible assets; rather, the intangible assets were depreciated under the current provisions for depreciation of tangible assets, 26 U.S.C. §§ 167 and 168. However, the problem before 1993 was, many intangible assets did not meet the burdensome requirements of §§ 167 and 168 because intangible assets can not necessarily be subject to “wear and tear”. This led to taxpayers having the incentive to ignore any basis in the intangible asset until it was sold.

Under §197 most acquired intangible assets are to be amortized ratably over a 15-year period. [House Report No. 103-111.] This is not the best treatment of an intangible where the actual life of the intangible is much shorter than 15-years because the asset would have be amortized over 15-years even if the actual life is, for example, only five years. Furthermore, if an intangible is not eligible for amortization under § 197, the taxpayer can depreciate the asset if there is a showing of the assets useful life. [Treasury Regulation § 1.167(a)(3).]

tart-up expenditure

For amortization as it relates to start-up expenses for a new business or activity. [26 U.S.C. § 195.] Start-up expenditures are defined as investigatory expenses incurred prior to commencing a trade or business activity which would have been deducted had it been paid or incurred when the taxpayer was already engaged in the trade or business activity. Unlike other sections in the tax code which lack in allowing current deductions for most start-up expenses, section 195 allows a taxpayer prorate start-up expenditures over a 180-month period. The policy behind this provision is to encourage taxpayers to explore new business ventures.

ee also

* Writing down allowance

References

ources

* Samuel A. Donaldson. "Federal Income Taxation of Individuals: Cases Problems, and Materials". 2nd ed. 2007.