To my knowledge, and the knowledge of my accountant possession does not correlate to placed-in-service date, when you're speaking of depreciation. They're looking at the sales contract, which will indicate a placed in service date of 2009. Upon signing the purchase contract you should be fine. You can place the car in service, even though it's on a truck on its way to the dealer. It's up to you how the car is placed in service, and if you chose to have your car "in service, shipped across the country, that's up to you." I've checked with two accountants, just to be sure. I'm taking delivery on the 24th'ish, so I'm good either way.

It sounds like you and I are in the same boat. I'm taking advantage of Obama's 2009 Bonus Depreciation for 2009/2010 SUVs with GVWR 6000 and over. A $58k deduction is hard to pass up, couple that with the IRS $900 eco-credit, and the sales tax deduction, and it ends up being around $65,000 in deductions. At my business's tax rate of 56%, it's too good of a deal to pass up.

Take 100% depreciation the first year, finance the vehicle, then deduct the payment interest each year + miles! It's an incredible system way to get an awesome SUV and to have your payments made for the first 4-years (in my case), at which point I'll trade it in.

Check with your own accountant, but I've done pretty extensive research on this particular issue. Good luck!