Fixed assets such as buildings, machinery ,etc do not last forever. When the amount received by disposal of a fixed asset is deducted from the cost of purchasing it, the difference is known as depreciation. Depreciation is the price we pay for using the fixed asset over time. E.g a van was bought for $5000 and used for 5 years. It was sold for $1000. That is to say its value had depreciated by $4000 over 5 years.
Depreciation is treated an an expense and thus charged to the profit and loss account as an expense. It reduces net profit.
Depreciation might occur due to many reasons e.g wear and tear, depletion (mines, etc), obsolescence, inadequacy , etc.
Recorded as
Debit the profit and loss account
Credit the provision for depreciation account.
CALCULATING DEPRECIATION
Straight line method.
Aka fixed installment method.
Purchasing cost – selling cost
No. Of years used
In this method , fixed amount is deducted each year
Reducing balance method
Each year the percentage to be deducted remains the same but he amount changes.
Say for example a van of value $5000 is to be depreciated by 20% each year the depreciation for first 3 years would be :
Cost: $5000
Less 20% depreciation $1000 yr 1
Cost : $4000
Less depreciation 20% $800 yr 2
Cost $3200
Less depreciation 20% $640 yr 3
Consider the following example.
Mr.Daniyal bought a cellphone for $4000. Estimated life of the cellphone is 5 years.scrap value : $500.
He wants to calculate the depreciation each year . use both methods to calculate the depreciation. Take 40% per annum for reducing balance method.
Straight line method
4000-500 = $700 per annum
5
Balance after 5 years $500
Reducing balance method
4000x (40%) = $1600 yr 1
2400x(40%) = $960 yr 2
1440x(40%) = $576 yr 3
864x(40%) = $345.6 yr 4
518.5x(40%) = $207.4 yr 5
Balance after 5 years : $311.1