Capitalize or Expense Truck Repairs

Trucking companies are routinely faced with repairs and maintenance expenses on their equipment. The tax implications of these expenses are whether they are expensed immediately or must be capitalized and depreciated over the course of the asset’s useful life.

Famous tax court cases such as Lasalle Trucking Co. v. Commissioner provide guidance as to the type and nature of the repairs & maintenance expense and aid in determining the capitalization of these costs.

The cardinal rule is costs must be capitalized to the extent they materially add to the value of, substantially prolong the useful life of, or adapt the airframe to a new or different use. In addition, costs incurred as part of a plan of rehabilitation, modernization, or improvement must be capitalized. Common examples of capitalization of costs are rebuilding of engines, tanks and cabs on tractors, and rebuilding of trailer beds, boxes and frames is a common practice in the trucking industry.

See the chart below that is an aid for either Capital or Repair expenses:

Capital	Repair
Improvements that “put” property in a better operating condition	Improvements that “keep” property in efficient operating condition
Restores the property to a “like new” condition	Restores the property to its previous condition
Addition of new or replacement components or material sub-components to property	Protects the underlying property through routine maintenance
Addition of upgrades or modifications to property	Incidental Repair to property
Enhances the value of the property in the nature of a betterment
Extends the useful life of the property
Improves the efficiency of the property
Improves the quality of the property
Increases the strength of the property
Increases the capacity of the property
Ameliorates a material condition or defect
Adapts the property to a new use
Plan of Rehabilitation Doctrine

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