FAQ'S

WHAT ARE TYPICAL LEASE TERMS? Lease terms typically range from 12-60 months. The most common lease terms are 36-60 months (three to five years), which can be useful for businesses investing in commercial sign installation.  

CAN I LEASE TO OWN? Yes. About 95% of Geneva Capital's clients select a "lease-to-own" plan, which can be beneficial for those looking to acquire LED signs.  

ARE THERE TAX ADVANTAGES TO LEASING? Yes. In fact, one of the most appealing reasons businesses lease new equipment is because the IRS does not consider an operating lease to be a purchase; rather, it is a tax-deductible overhead expense. Therefore, you can deduct the lease payments from your business income. You could also take advantage of Section 179, a special tax deduction allowing you to recover all or part of the cost of a piece of equipment in the year the equipment is put into service. This is a way to rapidly write-off the equipment versus taking depreciation deductions over the life of the asset, which can include costs related to sign repair services.  

DOES LEASING REQUIRE A SIGNIFICANT DOWN PAYMENT? No. Generally speaking, leasing requires little to no down payment. While the first and last month's payments may be required, leasing is almost identical to 100% financing.  

HOW DOES LEASING AFFECT MY CASH FLOW? You'll find leasing has a positive impact on your cash flow because you're not paying for the equipment in one lump sum. By tailoring a custom lease, business owners can conserve cash, allowing them to focus on growing their businesses, including expanding their signage options. Leasing also allows you to forecast cash requirements more accurately as you know the amount and number of lease payments you will owe over the lease period.  

CAN I LEASE MORE EQUIPMENT WHILE I HAVE AN EXISTING LEASE? Yes. Leasing opens the door for faster response to new business opportunities. Many leasing companies can approve an application for new equipment in a matter of a few days. This allows you and/or your company to react quickly to a new opportunity, like upgrading to more effective LED signs, before your competitors can.  

HOW DOES LEASING LOOK TO OTHER LENDERS? Leasing can actually help you to look more attractive to traditional lenders when you need them. Operating leases are not considered a long-term debt or liability on your balance sheet, making you look more stable to lenders. Leases are also not reported to consumer credit bureaus.  

IS LEASING FLEXIBLE? Absolutely. Lessors offer flexible terms, allowing you to customize your lease to a program that fits your needs and requirements - cash flow, budget, transaction structure, cyclical fluctuations, etc.