Depreciation is a critical concept that reflects the decline in value of business assets over time. While often overlooked, it shouldn’t be underestimated. Depreciation accounting allows you to grasp the actual cost of conducting business, consider wear and tear as an expense, potentially reduce your tax obligations, and assess the value of your business accurately.
It incurs costs: Depreciation accounting involves determining the annual decrease in value of your assets, enabling you to record it as a loss and deduct it from your revenue.
It can lower your tax bill: As depreciation is considered a legitimate business expense, it has the potential to reduce your tax liability. Hence, understanding the extent of value reduction each year is crucial.
It impacts your business value: When significant business assets lose value, the overall worth of your business diminishes. Failing to accurately track depreciation may lead to overestimating your business’s value, which can hinder your ability to secure financing.
Typically, only long-term or fixed assets are subject to depreciation, while consumable products are not included.
Estimating the lifespan of an asset and selecting a suitable depreciation method to calculate its value decline over time are essential steps.
Common methods include:
Straight line depreciation: This method entails consistent annual depreciation of the asset until it reaches zero value.
Diminishing value depreciation: Under this approach, the asset experiences a higher percentage of depreciation during the initial years, followed by a slower depreciation rate.
Units of production depreciation: Instead of time-based depreciation, this method calculates the asset’s lifespan based on its usage or output. For instance, a business vehicle’s depreciation might be measured in kilometers traveled rather than its age.
Calculating depreciation may initially appear daunting, particularly for new businesses. However, given its potential to reduce costs and accurately assess your business’s value, it’s worth investing the effort.
If you require guidance on getting started, our expert accounting team is available to provide the necessary support. Contact us now for assistance.
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