Can I claim a firearm on my taxes?

B

B-Dubbz

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I own a small business and was wondering if anyone knows if I can claim the handgun I bought for security reasons. Thanks for any help.
 
You probably can if you can meet a list of criteria.
I'm only guessing but that criteria would probably involve:
- Buying the gun with "company" funds.
- Keeping the gun on company property most of the time.
- Using the gun exclusively for protecting the company assets.
- Keeping it listed on the company's list of assets.

There may be more requirements such as registering it with the company as owner.
 
Don't forget it is also a business asset and you get to pay taxes on it. :) You get to claim the purchase once on your taxes and pay annual taxes for owning it forever.
 
I was able to write off two guns, and my liberty safe. Now when ever I want a gun I just tell the wife,"dont worry honey, well get it all back at the end of the year".She still doesnt by that arguement though.
 
I would be careful. For one, I am not sure that a state corporation (or other business entity) can own a firearm. Otherwise, a convicted felon could simply form a corporation, then make a purchase just like you have. The company may need a federal license to own.

There are many IRS opinions out regarding mixing hobbies and business. I would ask a CPA or an attorney.

I would not worry so much about the IRS, you are talking about a chump change deduction. I would worry more about trying to have a firearm owned by a non-natural person. Many legal questions here, you could easily get zapped.
 
You also probably won't be able to deduct the full amount. Usually, durable property must be depreciated over time (say 5 years). So get tax help from someone who knows what they are talking about.
 
Felons are not prohibtied from owning firearms they are prohibited from possessing them. So forming a company, that would own the firearms, would not relieve a felon from the prohibtion against possession.

You can own something and not possess it.
 
I would be careful. For one, I am not sure that a state corporation (or other business entity) can own a firearm. Otherwise, a convicted felon could simply form a corporation, then make a purchase just like you have. The company may need a federal license to own.
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Meh... many corporations own firearms. Colt Inc? Blackwater? All those PI and security companies.

It doesn't change the fact that no felon could be in actual or constructive possession of the guns. Ie, if you are the owner and have the keys to the gun safe/arms room.... you are breaking the law I suspect.
 
I would be careful. For one, I am not sure that a state corporation (or other business entity) can own a firearm. Otherwise, a convicted felon could simply form a corporation, then make a purchase just like you have. The company may need a federal license to own.

There are many IRS opinions out regarding mixing hobbies and business. I would ask a CPA or an attorney.
Click to expand...

Corporations may own firearms legitimately. Consider all the security companies, armored car companies and others which issue firearms to employees.

I've never bought a firearm for a business, so I have no idea how the 4473 form is done for a business purchase.

Let's suppose John owns a liquor store & check cashing business and he buys a gun to protect himself from robberies both at his business and when going to the bank. He buys the gun as a "company asset" with company funds. So far so good. But he has to get a CCW to carry it. Any ammo he uses to practice with it and the cost of the CCW could be paid for by the business. If he makes monthly trips to the range to stay proficient, he could write that off.

Unless... he buys the gun as a company asset but he sometimes takes it on vacations with him or he carries it during his non-working hours. Likewise, he buys a snubby .38 "for the business" but keeps it at home and carries his personal 1911 for "security" reasons. That won't fly with the IRS.

For those of you with a business who want to acquire a firearm "for the business" should talk to both your corporate counsel as well as a tax-specialist. There are some legal liabilities as well as tax code requirements that may "bite" your posterior.
 
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