| Year | Book value at beginning of year | Annual depreciation | Cumulative depreciation [l] | End-of-year book value |
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Full guide to depreciation of assets
What is depreciation of assets?
Depreciation of assets is the process by which fixed assets lose value year by year as a result of wear, tear, obsolescence or technological progress in their use. Depreciation is an important element in the financial management of enterprises and in tax planning. Through reasonable depreciation, the enterprise can accurately reflect changes in the value of assets, affecting the calculation of profits and tax payments.
Why must the depreciation of assets be calculated?
- Accurately reflect the value of assets: The actual value of fixed assets during the financial periods is accurately reflected through depreciation.
- Impact profit calculation: Depreciation is an important item of cost expenditure that directly affects the profits and net gains of the enterprise.
- Tax incentives: Depreciation is calculated by law and is subject to the corresponding tax credit.
- Financial analysis: Accurate depreciation data are an important basis for financial analysis and decision-making.
- Asset management: (c) Mastering of depreciation of assets to assist enterprises in their asset renewal plans.
- Compliance: Comply with the requirements of the Enterprise Accounting Standards and the tax code to ensure the authenticity of financial statements.
Detailed description of the three main methods of depreciation
1. Line approach (average age method) : The most common method of depreciation. The depreciation is equal to the annual depreciation, calculated as: annual depreciation = (original asset price - residual value)/ Life. This is simple and applies particularly to assets such as office equipment, furniture and so forth.
Double-declining : Large prior period depreciation and small later period depreciation. Depreciation rate per year = 2 / The useful life is reduced by year in book value. This approach applies to assets that are fast in technological progress and are rapidly devalued, such as electronic equipment, computers, etc.
3. Sum-of-years method : Also an accelerated depreciation method. The depreciation rate is changing over the remaining years, with a larger amount of depreciation in the prior period and a decrease in the later period. The formula is: annual depreciation = the sum of the depreciated amount x the remaining years / years.
Criteria for the selection of depreciation methods
- Line method: Assets that are suitable for even value, such as buildings, standard production equipment, office furniture.
- Accelerating depreciation method: Assets that are suitable for rapid devaluation and are susceptible to obsolescence. Greater tax credits were granted in the prior period to improve cash flows.
- Different industry options: Manufacturing is usually based on straight-line or accelerated depreciation; IT enterprises prefer to use accelerated depreciation; The real estate industry usually uses a straight-line approach.
- Tax planning: Select the appropriate depreciation method according to the enterprise ' s tax planning objectives. The accelerated depreciation method is more costly in the first period and reduces the prior period interest tax.
Depreciation of common assets
- Houses, buildings: 20 years
- Machines, production equipment: 10 years
- Means of transport: 4-6 years
- Electronic equipment, computers: 3-5 years
- Furniture, office equipment: 5-8 years
- (a) Technical know-how, patent rights: 5-10 years
Impact and determination of residual values
Residual value (also known as net or expected residual value) is the value that the asset is expected to recover at the end of its life. In accordance with the Enterprise Accounting Standards, the residual value of fixed assets is generally 5 per cent of the original price of the asset. (a) The reasonable determination of residual value is essential to the calculation of depreciation: excessive residual value leads to a low depreciation amount and affects tax incentives; The low residual value would result in conservative estimates.
Relationship between depreciation and taxation
Tax authorities have a clear definition of the depreciation periods for different assets. Enterprises are required to calculate the amount of taxable income in accordance with the depreciation years and methods prescribed by the tax law. It is noteworthy that there may be differences between accounting and tax depreciation, and that enterprises need to reconcile the differences through tax adjustments.
Accelerated depreciation policy and preferences
To encourage innovation and investment, the State has allowed enterprises to use tax incentives that accelerate depreciation in certain cases. For example, the acquisition of environmentally friendly and energy-efficient equipment may enjoy accelerated depreciation policies, which can effectively reduce the tax burden on enterprises.
Common problems in real depreciation calculations
- Time of acquisition: The fixed assets are depreciated from the date of purchase and depreciation is discontinued from the date of termination.
- Part of year processing: If the asset is converted during its use, the cost of the modification should be capitalized and depreciation recalculated.
- Disposition of assets: The difference between depreciation and the net value of assets is raised when assets are disposed of as a result of the loss or gain on disposal.
- Residual value adjustment: In the course of the use of the assets, if the estimated residual value changes, the depreciation for future years should be adjusted.
Advantages of digital tools
The use of online depreciation calculators allows for quick and accurate calculation of depreciation under various depreciation methods, avoiding manual computation errors. It also automatically generates a depreciation schedule that facilitates the reconciliation and presentation of financial staff. This could significantly improve the efficiency of the work of enterprises with multiple fixed assets.