Deductions and Write-Offs

The IRS standard business mileage rate for 2018 is 54.5 cents a mile
.
The rate for medical expense and moving expense for certain military personnel deductions is 18 cents a mile.

For charitable volunteers the mileage rate is unchanged at 14 cents a mile.

The maximum amount of age-based long-term care premiums that can be included as deductible medical expenses for 2018 (subject to the AGI floor is $420.

If you are age 40 or younger at the end of 2018; $780 for those age 41 through 50; $1,560 for those age 51 through 60; $4,160 for those age 61 through 70; and $5,200 for those over age 70.

Beginning on January 1, 2017, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car (also vans, pickups or panel trucks) will be 53.5 cents per mile for business miles driven, 17 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes, 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations. Taxpayers always have the option of calculating the actual costs of using their vehicle rather than using the standard mileage rates. A taxpayer may not use the business standard mileage rate for a vehicle after using any depreciation method under the Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System (MACRS) or after claiming a Section 179 deduction for that vehicle.

In 2015, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car, van, pickup or panel truck is 57.5 cents per mile for business use, 23 cents a mile for medical or moving purposes and 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations.

In 2016, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car, van, pickup or panel truck is 54 cents per mile for business use, 19 cents a mile for medical or moving purposes and 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations.

In 2016, for passenger automobiles, the limits are $5,100 for the second tax year; $3,050 for the third tax year; and $1,875 for each successive tax year,
If placed in service between 2006 and 2011 then the allowed amount is $1,775. If placed in service between 2004 and 2005 then the allowed amount is $1,675.

The current tax law sets a specific annual dollar limitation (adjusted each year for inflation) on the amount of depreciation allowed for any "passenger automobile". generally referred to as the "luxury automobile" limitations.
The limitations apply to four-wheeled vehicles that are manufactured primarily for use on public streets, roads, and highways, and that are rated at 6,000 pounds gross vehicle weight (GVW) or less (except for trucks and vans, a vehicle's "unloaded" GVW rating is used).

For passenger automobiles (other than trucks or vans) placed in service during calendar year 2016, the depreciation limit under Sec. 280F(d)(7) is $3,160 plus $8,000 first year special allowance = $11,160.
For passenger automobiles (other than trucks or vans) placed in service during calendar year 2016, the depreciation limit under Sec. 280F(d)(7) is $3,560 plus $8,000 first year special allowance = $11,560 for the first tax year,

Section 179 limits are now locked-in by the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 which allows businesses to write-off up to $500,000 of qualified equipment each year.
If you elect to expense section 179 property, you must reduce the amount on which you figure your depreciation or amortization deduction (including any special depreciation allowance) by the section 179 expense deduction.
You may elect to deduct all or part of the cost of certain qualifying property in the year you place the asset in service as opposed to recovering the cost over the assets useful life(depreciation). This choice is called a Section 179 Election.
Any disallowed amount in the current year may be carried over to future years.
The 179 deduction is reportable on IRS Form 4562. You can elect to expense part or all (up to $500,000) of the cost of section 179 property that you placed in service during the tax year and used predominantly (more than 50%) in your trade or business.