Small Business Taxes

How to Deduct Startup Costs and Business Equipment Purchases (Section 179 vs. Bonus Depreciation)

Updated 2025-10-28

Understand startup cost limits, when to expense vs. depreciate, and how Section 179 compares to bonus depreciation.

  1. Startup & organizational costs
  2. Section 179 expensing
  3. Bonus depreciation
  4. Choosing a method

Startup & organizational costs

Eligible startup and organizational costs can be expensed up to certain limits in the first year, with the remainder amortized over time.

Section 179 expensing

Bonus depreciation

Choosing a method

Model cash flow and future income. Section 179 is flexible but capped by income; bonus applies broadly and can create losses—useful for growth phases.