Recapture of Depreciation

recapture of depreciation

The extent to which the price received from selling a depreciated asset represents recovery of depreciation taken in prior years. For example, an asset purchased for $10,000, depreciated to a book value of $6,000, and sold for $9,000 would result in a recapture of $3,000. Also called depreciation recapture.

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Recapture of Depreciation

When depreciable property is sold, gain generally is taxed as ordinary income up to the amount of depreciation claimed (for personal property) and to the extent of the excess of accelerated depreciation claimed over straight-line depreciation that would have been allowed (real property). This ordinary income treatment is referred to as recapture.