---
title: Depreciation Recapture Definition | Rules of Recaptured Depreciation
description: Depreciation recapture is the IRS procedure for collecting income tax on a gain realized by a taxpayer when the taxpayer sells an asset that had once provided depreciation deductions.
image: https://www.realized1031.com/hubfs/social-suggested-images/Realized_Glossary_Graphic-2.jpg
---

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# Depreciation Recapture

Depreciation recapture is the USA Internal Revenue Service (IRS) procedure for collecting income tax on a gain realized by a taxpayer when the taxpayer disposes of an asset that had previously provided an offset to ordinary income for the taxpayer through [depreciation](https://www.realized1031.com/glossary/depreciation) deductions.

For example, assuming a depreciation recapture rate of 25%, if an investor claimed $100,000 in aggregate depreciation allowance over the holding period of an investment property, then upon sale of the asset, the investor may be subject to $25,000 in depreciation recapture tax. However, as with [capital gains taxes](https://www.realized1031.com/glossary/capital-gain-tax), depreciation recapture may be deferred by via a 1031 exchange.

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