Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System (MACRS)

Definition of "Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System (MACRS)"

Term given to two depreciation systems defined by the Internal Revenue Service:

  1. The main system is called the General Depreciation System (GDS). Under GDS, most property is assigned to eight property classes based on their class lives. These property classes provide the recovery period to be used by establishing the number of years over which the basis of an item in a class is recovered.
  2. The Alternative Depreciation System (ADS) generally provides for a longer recovery period and uses only the straight line method of depreciation to figure your tax deduction.


Both systems establish conventions determining how many months property can be depreciated in the first year it is placed in service and in the year of disposition.

  1. 20-year property. This class includes property such as farm buildings.
  2. Residential rental property. This class is comprised of rental buildings or structures for which 80% or more of the gross rental income is from dwelling units. Examples are living in a house or apartment. It excludes hotels and motels. Residential rental property is depreciated over 27.5 years.
  3. Nonresidential real property. This class includes real property that is not residential rental property. This property is depreciated over 31.5 years.

image of a real estate dictionary page

Have a question or comment?

We're here to help.

*** Your email address will remain confidential.
 

 

Popular Real Estate Terms

The definition of accommodation covers different meanings of the word, but they all express providing space, room, either physical or metaphorical. In other words, accommodation can be ...

Provision in a loan agreement where a debtor authorizes a judgment against him in the event of a default. These agreements are widely restricted, but when they are lawful, the creditor is ...

If buyers are considering a home with an assumable mortgage at a fair interest rate or if the sellers have already paid their mortgage, remember to consider seller financing. With seller ...

Clause in a mortgage that allows the borrower to pay more than the monthly amount and to retire the loan early without a penalty. ...

Governmental body having the responsibility for planning the future development of a jurisdictional area. A planning commission is responsible for developing and managing a zoning ordinance ...

A fund constituted in certain states to compensate aggrieved individuals who incurred losses in a real estate transaction associated with a licensed real estate broker or agent. Normally, ...

Directly enhancing the physical nature of the property such as renovating the building, installing a new driveway and parking lot, and gardening. ...

What Is a Real Estate Bubble? One definition for a real estate bubble is the fast increase in prices, usually driven by investors and speculators in major urban areas. Properties are ...

In general terms, the upside potential signifies the potential of a present investment, be it an asset or property, to bring a profit for the investor in the future. This measure enables ...

Popular Real Estate Questions