Free real estate calculator

Rental Property Depreciation Calculator

Build a mid-month straight-line depreciation schedule for a rental building.

By Calculate My Property EditorialUpdated September 30, 2026Professional review pending
01 / Your inputs

Start with your property.

Property3 inputs
USD
USD
Land is not depreciable.
Timing1 inputs
month (1–12)
Month available for rent, not necessarily the purchase month.
All amounts in USD.
Your estimate

First-year depreciation

$4,667Based on your inputs · USD
Depreciable building basis
$280,000
Full-year deduction
$10,182
Recovery period
27.5
The formula

Building basis ÷ recovery years; first year uses mid-month convention

Assumptions & limitations (1)
  • Straight-line GDS mid-month model. Conversion basis, ADS, disposals and short-life components need separate treatment.
External resource

Review your tax scenario.

Bring the report and basis records to a credentialed tax professional.

Find a tax professionalExternal provider or resource. No paid referral arrangement is active.
Planning estimate. Editorially sourced; independent professional review is pending. How we calculate
The detail

Your calculation table

29 rows · full data in CSV
Tax yearDeductionUnrecovered building basis
14,666.67275,333.33
210,181.82265,151.52
310,181.82254,969.7
410,181.82244,787.88
510,181.82234,606.06
610,181.82224,424.24
710,181.82214,242.42
810,181.82204,060.61
910,181.82193,878.79
1010,181.82183,696.97
1110,181.82173,515.15
1210,181.82163,333.33
1310,181.82153,151.52
1410,181.82142,969.7
1510,181.82132,787.88
1610,181.82122,606.06
1710,181.82112,424.24
1810,181.82102,242.42
1910,181.8292,060.61
2010,181.8281,878.79
2110,181.8271,696.97
2210,181.8261,515.15
2310,181.8251,333.33
2410,181.8241,151.52
2510,181.8230,969.7
2610,181.8220,787.88
2710,181.8210,606.06
2810,181.82424.24
29424.240
Worked example

Follow the default numbers.

With total acquisition basis of $350,000, the model gives first-year depreciation: $4,667.

The formula is building basis ÷ recovery years; first year uses mid-month convention. Open the breakdown to trace expenses and assumptions. Change one input at a time to see how your decision changes. This example uses scenario inputs; it is not an offer, tax bill, appraisal or legal determination.

Land cannot be depreciated

The depreciable building basis is total qualifying acquisition basis less the allocated land value. Allocation needs support from appraisals, assessment data or other reasonable evidence. Borrowing does not change the building’s depreciable basis. Acquisition costs, later improvements and a conversion from personal to rental use can create separate basis questions or schedules.

Placed in service is the important month

A building begins depreciation when it is ready and available for its intended rental use. That can be later than the purchase closing. Residential rental buildings generally use a twenty-seven-and-a-half-year GDS recovery period; nonresidential real property uses thirty-nine years. This model applies straight-line depreciation with the mid-month convention. It is not an ADS or special-election calculator.

The last year reconciles the building basis

The first year gives half a month for the service month plus the remaining months in the year. Full years follow, and the final schedule row deducts the unrecovered basis. The table assumes continuous service and no sale; disposal can change the final allowed amount. Improvements placed in service later need their own dates and schedules.

Depreciation has consequences at sale

The deduction can reduce taxable rental income when usable under the applicable limitations. It also reduces adjusted basis and can affect gain on disposition. The recapture calculator uses allowed or allowable depreciation, so missing a deduction does not necessarily avoid the eventual basis adjustment. Keep the schedule with acquisition and improvement records.

Keep your assumptions with the result

Save the calculation to your deal file to reuse compatible inputs in another tool. The file stays in this browser on this device. Download the CSV to open the complete inputs, results and schedule in Excel or Google Sheets. Use PDF to print the report or save it as a PDF. A share link includes entered financial figures in its URL, so use it only with people you intend to share those numbers with.