For the increased section 179 deduction, qualified zone property is any depreciable tangible property if all of the following are true: You acquired the property after the zone designation is in effect; You did not acquire the property from a related person or member of a controlled group of which you are a member; Your basis in the property is not determined either by its adjusted basis in the hands of the person from whom you acquired it or under the stepped-up basis rules of property acquired from a decedent; You were the first person to use the property in an empowerment zone; and At least 85% of the property's use is in an empowerment zone and in the active conduct of a qualified trade or business in the zone. Return to List of FAQs