Don’t Look A Gift Horse In The Mouth

JanSan Altruism
Don’t Look A Gift Horse In The Mouth

At the recent ISSA/INTERCLEAN trade show in Las Vegas, it was flattering to see that ISSA Convention Daily posted a news story quoting me about the need for cleaning contractors to take advantage of special tax breaks that are due to expire at the end of this year.

As flattered as I am that I was quoted, I am more concerned that cleaning professionals know about these tax breaks and take advantage of them. Essentially, the tax breaks allow a cleaning contractor to deduct 100 percent of the cost of new cleaning tools or equipment put in operation this year, on next year’s taxes.

Typically, a contractor can deduct only a portion of the costs of a new piece of equipment over a period of time. This is referred to as a depreciation allowance. But, with the current tax break, in essence, the contractor is getting a onetime gift from Uncle Sam.

Even better, the related tax code (Section 179) isn’t complicated at all; to the contrary: It is an amazingly straightforward piece of legislation and tax code.

As a manufacturer of professional cleaning tools and equipment, I know firsthand that the past few years have been tough for some cleaning contractors. Some vacuum cleaners, floor machines and other tools that should have been replaced some time ago are still in service … Their downtime and repair bills are making them more and more costly to own.

The tools we use for cleaning are too important for contractors to be working with such machines. With new technologies and more advanced cleaning machines, using failing or out-of-date equipment can even cost a contractor a client or the possibility of bidding on a new account.

You know the old proverb, “Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.” It applies here. Take the tax break and run with it.

Michael Schaffer is a senior executive with Tacony’s Commercial Floor Care division. He is also president of Tornado Industries Inc., which manufacturers a full line of professional cleaning equipment and CFR Corporation brand carpet extractors that recycle water and cleaning solution.