TaxGuyBill
Level 15

@Ekhaterina wrote:

For the joint tenancy items, I used 50% of FMV at time of death, plus 50% of initial cost value less accumulated depreciation, as my new basis. 

Then, for the "willed" items, I used 100% of the FMV at date of death as my new basis. 


 

Assuming the year of death is a Joint return, for purposes of depreciation, you should enter the Joint Tenancy items as TWO assets.  Well, for the year of death, three assets.  That is because the Recovery Period continues for your 50%, but the Recovery Period re-starts for the 50% stepped up asset.

For the year of death, split the original asset into two, 50% assets.  Then create a new one.

  • The first original 50% asset (your asset) keeps depreciating, using 50% of the original cost, 50% of the accumulated depreciation, and using the original placed in service date.  
  • The second original 50% asset (the deceased asset), enter the date of death in the disposition section (leave the sales price BLANK) using 50% of the original cost, 50% of the accumulated depreciation, and using the original placed in service date.  That 'stops' the depreciation for the deceased person's asset.  This asset will not carry over to future years.
  • Create a third asset, using 50% of the FMV and the Date of Death as the Placed in Service date.  This is the stepped up portion, and because of the later Placed in Service date, may be depreciated for a longer period of time than the other 50%.

 

For the 100% owned items, if it was a Joint return, you'll keep the old asset on the tax return during the year of death, and enter the date of death as the disposition date.  Then yes, create a new asset with the FMV and use the Date of Death as the Placed in Service date.

0 Cheers