In March 2016, Grackle, Inc., acquired used equipment for its business at a cost of $300,000. The equipment is five-year class property for regular income tax purposes and for AMT purposes. Grackle does not claim any available additional first-year depreciation.
a. If Grackle depreciates the equipment using the method that will produce the greatest deduction for 2016 for regular income tax purposes, what is the amount of the AMT adjustment? Grackle does not elect § 179 limited expensing.
b. How can Grackle reduce the AMT adjustment to $0? What circumstances would motivate Grackle to do so?
c. Draft a letter to Helen Carlon, Grackle's controller, regarding the choice of depreciation methods. Helen's address is 500 Monticello Avenue, Glendale, AZ 85306.