Bob Koeblitz has been a Chief Information Officer and consultant for about 25 years, a pilot for 30 ..and a very
funny guy all his life. Evidently, he's also a procrastinator.
"I waited until just seven days before Federal 72% depreciation window closed in September 2004" he confesses. "I finally had to just do it. It was time to move up in terms of aircraft, take advantage of the depreciation, and own my own plane again instead of renting."
Koeblitz, who lives in California and has offices in Texas and North Carolina, bought himself a new Cessna 182 turbo with all the instrument toys, which has more than justified an expensive decision. "It's reliable, flies really well, is an excellent instrument platform, and is a pretty good performer," he says.
The Cessna will enable him to work with more clients across the United States. Clients span both coasts, and the Cessna allows rapid travel between clients in a particular region of the country. As an IT professional, he's in constant demand, although sometimes he's not always sure why. "A bad consultant," he points out, laughing, "is someone who reads your watch and tells you what time it is. I am, of course, a good consultant - which means I read my watch and tell you what time it is."
Because of the extensive out-of-state use of the airplane, phase two of the tax arrangement involved seeking an exemption from California's Sales and Use tax. "The Cessna dealer gave me Tom Alston's number," he recalls. "It was my first experience with Aero & Marine. The aircraft I've bought in the past didn't command the kind of tax penalty that made it worthwhile to think about looking for an exemption," he says.
Aero & Marine's principal, Tom Alston, notes that new California legislation has eliminated the B3 exemption, which required a newly purchased aircraft be kept out of the state for six months in order to qualify for the sales and use tax exemption.
"In any case, we decided the B4 exemption would better fit my circumstances, as it requires that an aircraft be flown on business at least fifty percent of the time outside California," continues Koeblitz. "As I spend probably 95% of my time working outside the state, I have no problem meeting that criteria."
Aero & Marine provided Koeblitz with a comprehensive list of what was needed by the Board of Equalization to prove an exemption: "Tom and his people put me to work for myself," he laughs. "But it paid off: I put together the engine logs, gas receipts - everything I needed to prove I was in this place and that place, and Aero & Marine completed the submission. Once we submitted the application, I had my exemption inside two months."
Pilot in Command of the Cessna, Bob Koeblitz is enjoying a new-found freedom. "I used to have a company jet called Southwest Airlines," he jokes. "Today I use 'Bob Airlines,' and the service is even better."
We now have a program in Arizona as well as California!
It's true! We've saved clients literally millions of dollars - I can guarantee you won't find anyone with more knowledge and experience. It pays to plan ahead so future aircraft or vessel acquisitions are properly structured. Plus, if you suspect the status of a purchase made anytime in the past 10 years - I will offer a free analysis of your situation. Go
here and simply fill in the appropriate form. Or call me personally at 916-691-9192. - Tom Alston
