The federal government has made it more attractive to purchase commercial trucks in 2008, says Navistar International, and the truck maker has launched an online tool to help buyers.

The Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 increases the depreciation provision for new truck purchases in 2008 from 30 percent to 50 percent. This "bonus depreciation" will reduce a buyer's 2008 federal business tax liability by thousands of dollars for each new truck placed into service during the year. Navistar Truck Group has developed an online destination to learn more and share information about the benefits of this new law at www.InternationalTrucks.com/TaxSavings.
Learning more about the bonus depreciation could help truck customers generate more cash flow in 2008.
To qualify for bonus depreciation, the new truck purchase must satisfy the following four criteria:
• The truck must have a recovery period of 20 years or less under normal tax depreciation rules
• The original use of the truck must commence with the taxpayer seeking to claim the deduction
• The truck generally must be acquired during 2008 and no written binding contract for the acquisition must have been in effect before 2008
• The truck must be placed into service during 2008 (or, in certain limited cases, 2009)
If a new truck purchase meets these requirements, the owner is entitled to deduct 50 percent of the adjusted basis of the property in 2008. The remaining 50 percent of the adjusted basis of the property is depreciated over the ordinary tax depreciation schedule.