A tax loophole that small business owners have increasingly used to finance the purchase of large SUVs is about to get dramatically larger, the Detroit News reported.

Under a major tax package going through Congress, a deduction for small business equipment purchases – now capped at $US25,000 – is set to go up to as much as $100,000, the paper said.

The Detroit News said the business equipment deduction was included in a $350 billion tax-cut plan the Senate passed on Thursday and that the small-business provision has President Bush’s blessing, virtually assuring that the tax break would become law.

The newspaper said a growing number of small businesses are using the new equipment write-off to purchase luxury SUVs at a deep discount. Under current law, a small business owner can deduct $30,000 or more of an SUV purchase by combining equipment and accelerated depreciation breaks in the tax code.

If the deduction is raised, the Detroit News noted, a small business owner will be able to write off the entire cost of almost every vehicle on the market that the IRS defines as a truck – those having a gross vehicle weight of 6,000 pounds or more. Under the president’s plan, a Hummer H1 buyer could deduct nearly $89,000 of the $106,000 purchase price.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

Under slightly differed congressional plans, the entire cost of the H1 – the most expensive, least fuel-efficient sport utility vehicle sold in the US – would be tax-deductable, the Detroit News said.