FIXED ASSETS

Every asset. Every method. Every jurisdiction.

The most complete fixed asset and depreciation system built into a tax platform. MACRS, ADS, ACRS, Section 179, bonus depreciation, cost segregation, dispositions, like-kind exchanges — all calculated automatically across federal and 50 states.

Instead fixed assets and depreciation module overview
DEPRECIATION METHODS

Every IRS-recognized method. Built in.

MACRS (GDS), ADS, ACRS for pre-1987 assets, straight-line, declining balance, income forecast, units of production, sum-of-years-digits. Instead auto-selects the correct method based on asset class, recovery period, and placed-in-service date.

  • MACRS (GDS) — 3, 5, 7, 10, 15, 20, 25, 27.5, 31.5, 39-year property
  • ADS — required for tax-exempt use, foreign use, listed property
  • ACRS — full support for pre-1987 placed-in-service assets
  • Straight-line, declining balance, income forecast, units of production
  • Auto-selects method by asset class and convention (HY, MQ, MM)
Instead depreciation methods interface showing MACRS and ADS calculations
SECTION 179 & BONUS

Maximize first-year deductions. Automatically.

Full Section 179 expensing with annual limits, phase-out tracking, and entity-level optimization. Bonus depreciation with automatic rate management as the phase-down progresses — 100%, 80%, 60%, 40%, 20%. Elections and opt-outs per asset.

  • Section 179 annual limits with phase-out calculations
  • Entity-level 179 optimization across all assets
  • Bonus depreciation rate management (100%–20%)
  • Per-asset election and opt-out tracking
  • Automatic qualified property determination
Section 179 and bonus depreciation optimization in Instead
Cost segregation study breakdown in Instead
COST SEGREGATION

Accelerate real property depreciation.

Break down real property into component assets for accelerated depreciation. Reclassify 39-year and 27.5-year property into 5, 7, or 15-year recovery periods. Automatic catch-up depreciation via Form 3115 change of accounting method.

  • Component-level reclassification from 39-year/27.5-year property
  • Automatic reclassification to 5, 7, or 15-year assets
  • Form 3115 catch-up depreciation calculations
  • Section 481(a) adjustment tracking
DISPOSITIONS & 1031 EXCHANGES

Sell, exchange, or dispose. Tracked.

Full Section 1031 like-kind exchange tracking with Form 8824 generation. Gain/loss calculations, boot recognition, and basis allocation across replacement properties. Partial dispositions, casualty losses, and abandonment.

  • Section 1031 exchange with Form 8824 generation
  • Gain/loss calculations and boot recognition
  • Basis allocation across replacement properties
  • Partial dispositions under Reg. 1.168(i)-8
  • Casualty loss and abandonment tracking
Disposition and like-kind exchange tracking in Instead
Vehicle and listed property depreciation limits in Instead
VEHICLE & LISTED PROPERTY

Luxury auto limits. Handled.

Auto-applies Section 280F luxury automobile depreciation limits. Tracks business-use percentage year over year. Supports both actual expense method and standard mileage. Annual Lease Value calculations for employer-provided vehicles.

  • Section 280F luxury auto limits applied automatically
  • Business-use percentage tracking by year
  • Actual expense vs. standard mileage method
  • Annual Lease Value for employer-provided vehicles
  • Listed property recapture when use drops below 50%
MULTI-BOOK & AMT

One asset. Every treatment.

Simultaneous depreciation across tax, book/GAAP, AMT, ACE, E&P, and custom treatments.

Tax depreciation

Federal MACRS/ADS with all elections, conventions, and recovery periods applied automatically.

Book / GAAP

Financial reporting depreciation with useful life, salvage value, and impairment tracking.

AMT treatment

Alternative minimum tax depreciation using 150% DB for personal property placed in service before 1999.

ACE & E&P

Adjusted current earnings and earnings & profits depreciation for corporate taxpayers.

Book-tax differences

Automatic M-1/M-3 difference calculations with temporary vs. permanent classification.

State conformity

Attach states and see where each state differs from federal on bonus and Section 179.

Custom treatments

Define custom depreciation books for management reporting, projections, or regulatory requirements.

Side-by-side comparison

Compare depreciation across all treatments for any asset or group of assets in a single view.

STATE CONFORMITY

50-state depreciation. Automatic.

Every state handles depreciation differently. Some conform to federal bonus depreciation, some don’t. Some limit Section 179, some match. Instead tracks every state’s conformity rules and calculates the difference from federal automatically.

Auto-conformity

State rules applied automatically based on current conformity dates and elections.

State overrides

Override bonus and 179 rules at the state level. See the depreciation impact vs. federal.

Multi-state reporting

State depreciation schedules for every jurisdiction. Ready for state return attachment.

OIL & GAS · NATURAL RESOURCES

Depletion, IDCs, and mineral rights.

Full support for the unique depreciation and depletion rules of oil & gas, mining, and natural resource industries. Cost depletion, percentage depletion, intangible drilling costs, and geological & geophysical amortization.

  • Cost and percentage depletion calculations
  • Intangible drilling costs (IDC) — expense vs. capitalize election
  • Geological & geophysical (G&G) amortization
  • Working interest and royalty tracking
  • Section 613/613A depletion limitations
Oil and gas depletion and IDC tracking in Instead
Form 4562 and depreciation schedule generation in Instead
REPORTING & FORMS

Every form. Every schedule.

Auto-generates Form 4562, Form 8824, AMT depreciation schedules, and state depreciation reports. Run projected depreciation forecasts for any time horizon. Model what-if scenarios before committing elections.

  • Form 4562 — Depreciation and Amortization
  • Form 8824 — Like-Kind Exchanges
  • AMT and state depreciation schedules
  • Multi-year depreciation projections
  • What-if scenario analysis for elections and methods
IMPORT & AI

Add assets in seconds,
not hours.

OCR and AI scanning of asset invoices. CSV import from any prior system. Bulk asset entry for large portfolios. Barcode scanning for physical asset tracking. Lump-sum purchase allocation across multiple assets.

  • OCR/AI invoice scanning — extract asset details automatically
  • CSV import from any depreciation software
  • Bulk asset entry for large portfolios
  • Barcode scanning for physical asset tracking
  • Lump-sum allocation across multiple assets
AI-powered asset import and OCR scanning in Instead
SECURITY

Enterprise-grade protection for every asset.

User permissions

Owner and Member roles. Control who accesses which clients and asset records.

Full audit trail

Every change to every asset logged. Revert any modification at any time.

SOC 2 Type II

Annual security audit. IRS-authorized e-file. 256-bit encryption.

File tax returns nationwide

First company in decades to receive approvals at every level of government.

Federal
IRS-approved
48+
State jurisdictions
Local
Supported
ALAlabama
AKAlaska
AZArizona
ARArkansas
CACalifornia
COColorado
CTConnecticut
DEDelaware
FLFlorida
GAGeorgia
HIHawaii
IDIdaho
ILIllinois
INIndiana
IAIowa
KSKansas
KYKentucky
LALouisiana
MEMaine
MDMaryland
MAMassachusetts
MIMichigan
MNMinnesota
MSMississippi
MOMissouri
MTMontana
NENebraska
NVNevada
NHNew Hampshire
NJNew Jersey
NMNew Mexico
NYNew York
NCNorth Carolina
NDNorth Dakota
OHOhio
OKOklahoma
OROregon
PAPennsylvania
RIRhode Island
SCSouth Carolina
SDSouth Dakota
TNTennessee
TXTexas
UTUtah
VTVermont
VAVirginia
WAWashington
WVWest Virginia
WIWisconsin
WYWyoming
PRICING

The software is free. You pay for the agent.

Manage every fixed asset by hand at no cost. When you want the agent to handle depreciation calculations, elections, and multi-state conformity, pay per credit.

Track any asset

Free to start.

Run the agent

Pay per credit.

See fixed assets in action.

Watch Instead calculate MACRS depreciation, optimize Section 179 elections,
and generate Form 4562 automatically.