Truck cap

[KBTS]

Client is a self employed carpenter. . I am trying to determine if he should use standard mileage or actual expenses (he can use either because he used standard mileage in 2005 and it was the first year he owned the vehicle). In 2006, he installed a cap on his pickup truck to provide protection from the elements for his tools and materials. How should I handle the truck cap?

1. Fixed asset and depreciate/Section 179?
2. Vehicle expense and use only if I use actual expenses?
3. Other options?

Thanks for your help.

[DaveO]

Personal Property

I would consider it personal property and depreciate seperate from the truck under either method.

[KJ Judd]

I have considered personal property. You could sell the truck and keep the cap. In fact, I had a client due that this year.

[OldJack]

I expect that the cap would last longer than 1 year so a 100% write-off as just vehicle expense under item 2 doesn't seem likely. Item 1 would be the preferred way.