2018 Edition – revised January 29, 201822020018 Edition revised January 29, 2018
Now is the time to invest in your fire sprinkler system or retrofit your building with lifesaving and property conserving protection.
In December, Congress passed the most sweeping tax reform legislation since 1986. Included in this legislation (P.L. 115-97) are two provisions that will greatly incentivize the installation of fire sprinklers. The National Fire Sprinkler Association appreciates the efforts and work that happened for 14+ years prior to this passage that allowed fire sprinklers to be included. A special thank you to Congressman Jim Langevin, who has championed this inclusion since the beginning as a result of the Station Nightclub fire being in his district. We also thank all of our fire service partners – Congressional Fire Services Institute, International Fire Chiefs Association, International Fire Fighters Association, National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, National Fire Protection Association, Common Voices, National Volunteer Fire Council, Security Industry Association, Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors and many others. We will work with stakeholders to gain additional clarifications in regards to IRS interpretations as this is put into use. Encourage owners to work with their tax expert for their specific situation.
The fire sprinkler incentives are:
Small Business Section 179 Expensing –
Previously qualified small businesses were allowed to fully expense purchases such as computers, equipment and light duty vehicles up to an annual cap of $500,000. Under the new law Congress has added fire protection as an eligible expenditure under section 179 of the tax code. Congress also increased the cap to $1 million as the amount that a small business can deduct in a single year. This provision applies only to commercial structures and cannot be used for retrofitting sprinklers into residential structures. However, critical occupancies such as entertainment venues could easily be done under this provision. This change is also a permanent law and unlike section 13201 is not gradually phased out over time. In order to help our members and interested stakeholders fully understand this new tax law, we have created a few examples.
Fire sprinklers save lives, property, water, money, the environment, and on and on. Keep your patrons safe, keep your business running and limit your liability.
Example 1: Nightclub Retrofit
7,500 square-foot assembly occupancy
Cost to install fire sprinklers = $6.00/sq. ft
Total $45,000
Assuming this is owned by a small business, under 179 they could fully expense the cost. The 179 change is permanent law and is not subject the phase out.
Current Law: you are depreciating over a 39-year period
Example 2: Bowling Alley
20,000 square-foot assembly occupancy
Cost to install fire sprinklers = $4.50/sq.ft.
Total $90,000
Same as Example 1
Note: These are specific examples of actual buildings in various locations around the country. The actual cost is impacted by many variables, including the region of the country. Please reach out to NFSA or find a member on our website to assist in your particular situation and for a quote specific to your building and region.
NFSA encourages business and industry owners to contact their tax professionals and refer them to the changes in Section 179 of the recently passed tax reform legislation (P.L. 115-97).
If you have a question about a building type that is not shown or additional questions about those that are listed, please reach out to us by contacting Vickie Pritchett, Director of Outreach & Government Relations at 443-569- 9506 or via email at pritchett@nfsa.org.
About Us
Menu