Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System (MACRS)

Definition of "Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System (MACRS)"

Term given to two depreciation systems defined by the Internal Revenue Service:

  1. The main system is called the General Depreciation System (GDS). Under GDS, most property is assigned to eight property classes based on their class lives. These property classes provide the recovery period to be used by establishing the number of years over which the basis of an item in a class is recovered.
  2. The Alternative Depreciation System (ADS) generally provides for a longer recovery period and uses only the straight line method of depreciation to figure your tax deduction.


Both systems establish conventions determining how many months property can be depreciated in the first year it is placed in service and in the year of disposition.

  1. 20-year property. This class includes property such as farm buildings.
  2. Residential rental property. This class is comprised of rental buildings or structures for which 80% or more of the gross rental income is from dwelling units. Examples are living in a house or apartment. It excludes hotels and motels. Residential rental property is depreciated over 27.5 years.
  3. Nonresidential real property. This class includes real property that is not residential rental property. This property is depreciated over 31.5 years.

image of a real estate dictionary page

Have a question or comment?

We're here to help.

*** Your email address will remain confidential.
 

 

Popular Real Estate Terms

As a hopeful house hunter, renter, or seasoned real estate investor, you've probably come across baffling terms. One such term is "adhesion contract." It might sound complex, but don't ...

(1) Methods that involve discounting the future cash flows generated by an income property. These techniques are used primarily for valuation. (2) Methods of selecting and ranking ...

A recorded plat defines a subdivision map that you have to file in the county recorder’s office. It will show the location and boundaries of your parcels of land. Knowing this, we can ...

(1) Judgment against a defendant who does not respond to the plaintiffs lawsuit or fails to appear in court at the hearing or trial date. (2) Judgment issued by the court against the ...

Characteristic of a trust that prevents the invasion of its principal by the trustees while providing a lifetime income to its principal beneficiary with the rest going to the son's ...

Legal lien on property on behalf of an individual who has not been paid for material furnished in constructing property. The material enhanced the value of the property, and as such the ...

Homes with division of ownership or use of a resort unit on the basis of time periods. For example, a resort home may be divided into 25 time shares of two weeks each, with two weeks left ...

A reassessment or a reappraising is a decision or strategy made by the owner or the state or local authorities. The reassessment definition is a revision of an earlier assessment. Property ...

Underground pit or tank used to store sewage. ...

Popular Real Estate Questions