What is Depreciation and its Accounting
The dictionary definition of depreciation is a decrease in value due to wear and tear over time.
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Everything about Depreciation
Every asset a business owns is liable to lose its original value over the years. Thus, we can say that depreciation is the ‘loss of value’.
For instance, you purchase any machinery for the production of goods. The business will use that machinery for years and then, it will eventually sell it off. Until, with each passing year, the cost will decline or can either say will depreciate. If the business sold off the asset, it must deduct the depreciated value from the cost.
We must keep in mind that we charge only on tangible assets like machinery, building, equipment, etc. However, like always, there may be some exceptions like land, whose value increases over the years.
How To Account For It?
We debit depreciation every year from the asset account up to the estimated life of the asset. it is a non-cash transaction, so it does not directly affect the net income of the company. We pass a journal entry every year debiting the depreciated amount from the machinery account. However, we calculate the amount of depreciation at the time of purchase of the asset. We calculate it through the following method:
Depreciation = total cost of asset/ estimated life of the asset
The journal entry we pass for depreciation goes like this:
Depreciation a/c Dr.
To Machinery a/c
Depreciation is charged up to the years of estimated life until the original value completely gets eliminated.
Should We Have a Depreciation Fund?
The depreciation fund is the amount equal to its value that we keep aside from the profit. Although it is a non-cash transaction, it is still a disguised expense for a business. At the end of the depreciation period, a huge expense will arise in the form of a machinery purchase.
It is not mandatory to create any kind of fund under any accounting rule. However, it is always better to be on the safe side and prevent your business from sudden expenses that will largely affect the revenue.
Methods Of Calculation
We can calculate assets using four methods:
- Straight-line method
- Written down value method
- The sum of years digit
- Units of production
Among these, the straight-line method and written-down value method are the most prominently used methods in accounting.
- Straight Line Value Method:
In the straight-line value method, we charge on assets an equal amount every year up to the estimated life of the asset. We also know this method as a fixed installment method. After the estimated life is over, the final cost of the asset becomes zero or equal to its scrap value. in the straight-line method is only calculated for the time period of the asset actually being in use. If we only use an asset for six months.How to calculate?
Amount of Depreciation = cost of the asset – scrap value/ total estimated life of the asset
Rate of Depreciation = annual depreciation x 100/ cost of the asset - Written Down Value Method: Written down value method is also known as the diminishing value method. In this, we charge a fixed percentage every year on the cost of the asset. However, the cost of assets keeps on declining every year. We charge depreciation on the original cost in the first year, at the rate which is pre-decided. But in subsequent years, when we calculate depreciation of the current year, we have to deduct the amount of the previous year’s depreciation.
Do I Get a Tax Benefit For Depreciation?
it decreases the value of an asset every year. It does not directly affect the net income or the total cash flow of the business in the current financial period. We will consider the amount as an expense you are having in the current year. Showing in the books of accounts will grant you major tax benefits. If you charge a higher rate on the asset, it will subsequently decrease your taxable amount due in the period.
What Is Depreciation Related To Differed Tax?
Differed Tax liability is a situation that arises when there is a difference between the rate and method of depreciation the company charges and the income tax governing the body of the country fixes a certain amount or percentage.
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