Rental Property Depreciation Calculator for STR Annual Deductions
This calculator shows your annual depreciation deduction for a short-term rental property in under 30 seconds.
Total acquisition cost including closing costs — the gross depreciable basis before land is subtracted.
The portion of the purchase price attributed to land, which the IRS does not allow you to depreciate. Check your county assessor's records if you lack a formal appraisal.
IRS-assigned useful life for the asset — 27.5 years for residential rental property, 39 years for commercial property.
How many years you have owned the property as a rental, used to calculate cumulative depreciation taken to date.
Your yearly depreciation deduction based on the depreciable building cost divided by the recovery period.
How the Calculator Helps STR Hosts
Annual Deduction Clarity
See your exact yearly depreciation figure so you can plan quarterly estimated tax payments without guessing.
Accurate Land Value Split
The short-term rental depreciation tool separates depreciable building cost from non-depreciable land, preventing the most common filing error STR owners make.
Holding Period Tracking
Know precisely how many deduction years remain before your asset is fully depreciated.
How the Rental Property Depreciation Calculator Works
The calculator runs a straight-line depreciation schedule using four inputs. Enter your numbers, and it returns your annual deduction and total accumulated depreciation through any year you specify.
Property Purchase Price
Total acquisition cost including closing costs
This is the gross depreciable basis before land is subtracted — the starting point for every depreciation calculation.
Land Value
The non-depreciable portion of the purchase price
Entering an accurate land value is the single most consequential input — underestimate it and you will claim deductions the IRS will later dispute.
Recovery Period (Years)
IRS-assigned useful life of the property
Using the wrong recovery period overstates your annual deduction; residential rentals use 27.5 years, commercial properties use 39 years.
Years Held
How many years you have owned the property as a rental, used to calculate cumulative depreciation taken to date.
Run Your First Rental Property Depreciation Calculation Today
Enter your purchase price, land value, and hold period to see exactly how much depreciation you can claim each year against your STR income.
No credit card required. Cancel anytime.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the calculator apply to properties used as both personal residences and rentals?+
Only the portion of the year the property is rented counts toward depreciation. If you use a cabin personally for 30 days and rent it for 90, you can depreciate roughly 75% of the annual deduction, not the full amount.
What recovery period applies to STR furnishings versus the structure itself?+
IRS Publication 946 sets 27.5 years for residential rental structures. Furniture, appliances, and short-term rental equipment typically qualify for a 5-year recovery period under MACRS — a separate calculation from this tool.
How does land value affect the depreciation figure?+
Land never depreciates. Entering an accurate land value is the single most consequential input — underestimate it and you will claim deductions the IRS will later dispute.
Can you depreciate a property purchased mid-year?+
Yes, but only a partial-year deduction applies in year one. The calculator uses your Years Held entry to reflect this proration automatically.
Does a renovation reset the depreciation clock?+
A capital improvement added after purchase starts its own 27.5-year schedule — it does not extend or restart the original property's depreciation timeline.