How expense floating vinyl plank flooring in a rental?

[Andreas W.]

Hi all:

I wonder if this topic can be put to rest. I talked to a few CPAs and got varying answers as to how expense correctly the installation of new floating vinyl planks. Can I regard vinyl planks as property like carpet and use section 179 or is it classified as residential property and needs to be depreciated over 27.5? The useful life of vinyl planks is clearly less that 27.5. Can I depreciate those over a 15 year horizon? Maybe a CPA here can shed light on this problem. Thank you.

[Michael Plaks]

Useful life does not have anything to do with depreciation. I mean, the concept was that it should, but in reality it does not.

Floating vinyl planks are a 5-yr personal property and eligible for Section 179. Also eligible for bonus depreciation but Section 179 allows 100% while bonus depreciation does not. Why CPAs gave you different answers is a mystery to me.