Can a truck cap be deducted in addition to the std. mileage rate?

Question

Can a truck cap that is installed on the bed of a light duty truck by clamps (used to cover and protect cargo) be deducted inaddition to the standard mileage rate?

Answer 1

I think the question you are asking is whether the truck cap that you purchased is considered part of the truck, or a separate piece of equipment because it is removable.

Definition: Page 54 IRS Publication 946 on Depreciation
"...A passenger automobile is any four-wheeled vehicle made
primarily for use on public streets, roads, and highways. It includes any part, component, or other item physically attached to the automobile or usually included in the purchase price of an automobile..."

The truck cap is not something which usually or normally comes standard on a light duty pick up truck, and although it is attached to the truck bed at some times, it must be removed and separated from the bed if you want to carry large size cargo. It can also be easily removed any time you wish to ride without the cap covering the bed. The truck cap could even be unclamped, removed, and used on another truck if you needed to do that.

Although I couldn't find info on adding a truck cap to a business vehicle, I think you have a good argument that the truck cap does qualify as a separate piece of purchased equipment and can be depreciated separately from the truck itself once the accepted useful life of the truck cap is known. In your course of business, you would need to show the truck cap is more like a tool than part of the truck itself. You would need to show how it would be more like an accessory rather than a permanent modification to the truck. You would have to be able to show how the cap is different than something like removable seats in a van, or a pick up truck's removable tailgate. Even though they are removable, the seats and the tailgate are normally thought of as part of the vehicle.

If you were to sell your truck, the truck cap might become part of the basis for your truck and sold along with the truck itself, but it could just as easily be sold separately or kept separately by unclamping it from the bed.

Therefore, if the truck cap is a separate piece of equipment, you can take the standard mileage deduction (which includes depreciation for the vehicle), and you should also be able to take the depreciated cost of the truck cap on Schedule C, as a separate deduction.

Of course, if the IRS disagrees or wants more information, you might get a letter asking you to explain your deduction. Just tell them somebody on YahooAnswers said the deduction was allowed.

Answer 2

Nope. You can either apportion the actual costs for the business use and claim them or take the standard mileage rate for all business miles. It's an "either-or" situation, you can't pick and choose.

Answer 3

If you take the standard mileage rate, then you don't take individual itemized car/truck expenses also. You can choose which to take.

Answer 4

last time i knew it could...as long as it's a business expense...and can be depriciated as well if i remember right