The new tax law of January 2, 2013 to avoid the “fiscal cliff” had a few Key Business Issues to deal with, extending some expiring provisions retroactive to the beginning of 2012 and extending them thru 2013.

•  The law, called “The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012”  had these key points for businesses:

1. Section 179 Deduction – Businesses can elect to “expense” qualified property placed in service during the tax year.  For 2012 the new law restored the maximum deduction to $ 500,000, good through 2013. 

2. Bonus Depreciation – In addition to the Sec. 179 expense election and regular depreciation deductions the new law extends the 50% bonus depreciation deduction for 2012 and 2013 on qualified new property put into service during these years.

3. Leasehold Improvements 15 year cost recovery period is extended for 2012 and 2013 on qualified leasehold improvements, restaurant buildings and improvements, and retail improvements. 

4. Enhanced Charitable Donations of property by a business, such as food inventory, books and computer equipment, expired December 2011.  The New Law extends the donation of food only for 2012 and 2013.

5.  Qualified Small Business Stock sale exclusion of 100% is extended for stock acquired before January 1, 2014 (and held at least 5 years).

6.  Extends various energy saving improvements by business entities.

7. Credits – extends various credits for 2012 and 2013, such as the Research and Experimentation Credit, the New Markets Tax Credit and the Work Opportunity Tax Credit. 

Visit IRS.Gov for more complete details.