Maximize Your Savings: Section 179 Tax Deduction on Mortuary Equipment

section 179 tax break for small businesses

Investing in high-quality, Tennessee-built equipment is a significant step toward enhancing your facility's capabilities. The Section 179 tax deduction is a powerful tool from the IRS designed to help businesses like yours make these investments more affordable by allowing you to deduct the full purchase price of qualifying equipment in the year it's put into service.

 

How Section 179 Benefits Your Facility

 

In simple terms, Section 179 allows your business to treat the full cost of new or used equipment as an immediate expense. This means you can write off the entire purchase price of qualifying American Mortuary Coolers and Equipment—such as our walk-in mortuary coolers, freezers, autopsy tables, and medical stretchers—from your gross income. This incentive is designed to encourage businesses to invest in themselves and can significantly lower your tax liability for the year.

 

Current Section 179 Limits

 

The IRS updates the deduction limits annually to adjust for inflation. For the 2024 tax year, the limits are:

  • 2024 Deduction Limit: $1,220,000

    • This is the maximum cost you can write off for your equipment purchases.

  • 2024 Spending Cap: $3,050,000

    • This is the maximum amount of equipment your business can purchase before the Section 179 deduction begins to phase out on a dollar-for-dollar basis.

This structure is specifically designed to benefit small and medium-sized businesses.

 

Understanding Bonus Depreciation in 2025 & Beyond

 

In addition to Section 179, businesses can take advantage of Bonus Depreciation, which is applied to the remaining cost after the Section 179 deduction is taken. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act set a phase-down schedule for this benefit. For equipment placed in service in 2025, you can take a 40% bonus depreciation.

The phase-down schedule is as follows:

  • 60% for property placed in service in 2024

  • 40% for property placed in service in 2025

  • 20% for property placed in service in 2026

Taking bonus depreciation is optional, but it's a powerful tool for maximizing your first-year deductions.

 

Putting Your Equipment to Work: Key Conditions

 

  • Business Use: To qualify, the equipment must be used for business purposes more than 50% of the time.

  • Financed & Leased Equipment: Great news! Section 179 works for equipment that you purchase outright as well as for equipment that you finance or lease. This makes it a fantastic tool for preserving your cash flow while still getting the tax benefits. Check out our Financing Page to see how you can combine an affordable payment plan with this powerful tax deduction.

 

The Bottom Line: Consult Your Tax Professional

 

Tax laws, including Section 179, can change without notice. While this deduction can provide a substantial benefit for your facility, we strongly recommend you discuss your specific situation with a qualified CPA or tax professional to ensure you take full advantage of it.


Disclaimer

The information provided on this page is for informational and illustrative purposes only and is not intended to be tax or legal advice. American Mortuary Coolers and its owners, agents, and employees are not tax advisors. Please consult with your certified public accountant or other qualified tax professionals regarding your specific financial situation before making any purchasing decisions based on tax incentives.

Quick Reference: 2025 Section 179 Limits


Max Deduction (2025):                                        $1,250,000 (phased out above $3,130,000)


Bonus Depreciation (2025):                                40% (applies after Section 179)


New & Used Equipment:                                     Qualifies for full Section 179 deduction


Specialized (Non‐Passenger) Vehicles:          No special limit (treated like equipment)


SUVs & Trucks >6,000 lbs GVWR:                    $31,300 max first‐year Section 179; remainder depreciated


Business‐Use Requirement:                              >50% business use; deduction limited to % of business use

 

 

Installation Inspection Checklist




You can find the American Mortuary Cooler serial number on an orange or blue tag attached to the equipment.





We will send the Warranty Certificate to this email address.



Installation and Inspection Checklist

The purpose of this form is to aid in the installation and connection of the equipment. This form is needed along with pictures to verify equipment was installed correctly. Once the necessary documentation is received and reviewed for approval, you will be notified in writing of your warranty coverage. Some items may not pertain to your equipment and would be N/A. This form must be submitted within 30 days of final installation. If it is after 30 days, the inspection will need to be performed by American Mortuary Cooler for an additional fee.

1. Make sure nothing is obstructing the equipment on all sides and the back. (Required)

2. Verify the equipment is level. There should be no rocking or instability. (Required)

3a. If applicable, verify adjustment of the leveling feet. (Required)


3b. Upload image of air space under equipment (for Grossing Station)

4a. Verify how the power is connected to the unit. (Required)

4b. Upload image showing power connection

5. Check if the main power switch works properly. (Required)

6. Verify the GFCI breakers work properly. (Required)

7. Verify garbage disposal works properly if applicable. (Required)


8a. Verify display screen works properly if applicable. (Required)


8b. Upload image showing display screen

9a. Check plumbing connections for leaks. (Required)

9b. Upload image showing no leaks in plumbing

10a. Verify factory-installed "P" trap bracket is in place. (Required)

10b. Upload image showing "P" trap bracket

11a. Verify ventilation and band clamps connected. (Required)

11b. Upload image showing ventilation and band clamps

12a. Verify equipment is anchored correctly if applicable. (Required)


12b. Upload image showing equipment anchored

13. Verify sealing of floor-mounted/wall-mounted equipment if applicable. (Required)


14. Verify up/down elevation works properly if applicable. (Required)


15. For wall-mounted sinks, verify support brackets are bolted securely. (Required)