Double-Declining Depreciation Formula - The Strategic CFO® (2024)

Double-Declining Depreciation Formula

Double-Declining Depreciation Formula - The Strategic CFO® (1)

See Also:
Double-Declining Method Depreciation

To implement the double-declining depreciation formula for an Asset you need to know the asset’s purchase price and its useful life.
First, Divide “100%” by the number of years in the asset’s useful life, this is your straight-line depreciation rate. Then, multiply that number by 2 and that is your Double-Declining Depreciation Rate. In this method,depreciation continues until the asset value declines to its salvage value.
Use the following formula to calculate straight-line depreciation rate:

Straight-line Depreciation Rate = Depreciation Expense / Depreciable Base

Use the following formula to calculate double-declining depreciation rate:

Double-declining Depreciation Rate = Straight-line Depreciation Rate x 2

Double-Declining Method Calculation Example:

Fedcorp Industries made a purchase of a delivery van to transport merchandise. The van purchase price is $1,000. Fedcorp also determines that the van’s will retain a useful life of 5 years. Using the information that the company has determined, how would Fedcorp Industries determine the double-declining depreciation rate on the delivery van?

First Divide 100% by 5 years
100% / 5 = 20%
Then, multiply that percentage by 2
20% x 2 = 40%
Your Double-Declining Depreciation rate is 40%. Which translates to depreciation of $400 per year for the company’s van.
Stop Calculating depreciation in the year after the depreciable cost falls below the salvage value of the vehicle.

Double-Declining Depreciation Formula - The Strategic CFO® (13)

Share This Article

Top Articles

THE ART OF THE CFO®

Financial Leadership Workshop

Days

Hours

Min

August 7-10th, 2023

Related Blogs

August 28, 2023

Coaching the Entrepreneur: Learn how to know what you don’t know. How much should I spend on accounting for my company? I have been in the accounting professionfor 32 years, and for the last 6 years, I’ve owned my own consulting firm to assist companies with accounting challenges. There is one common theme that I

June 1, 2023

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and escalating tensions with China, American companies are actively seeking alternatives to mitigate their supply chain risks and reduce dependence on Chinese manufacturing. Nearshoring, the process of relocating operations closer to home, has emerged as an explosive opportunity for American and Mexican companies to collaborate like never before.

The article you've shared delves into the Double-Declining Depreciation method, an essential aspect of accounting for assets' depreciation. This method involves determining an asset's depreciable base, salvage value, and useful life. As an expert in accounting practices, I can elaborate on the concepts highlighted in this article:

Double-Declining Depreciation Method:

  1. Purpose: It's a technique used to accelerate the recognition of asset depreciation expenses.
  2. Formula for Straight-Line Depreciation Rate: Straight-line Depreciation Rate = Depreciation Expense / Depreciable Base.
  3. Formula for Double-Declining Depreciation Rate: Double-Declining Depreciation Rate = Straight-Line Depreciation Rate x 2.
  4. Calculation Example: The article illustrates this method through Fedcorp Industries' purchase of a delivery van priced at $1,000 with a determined useful life of 5 years.
    • First, determine the straight-line depreciation rate: ( \text{Straight-line Depreciation Rate} = \frac{\text{Depreciation Expense}}{\text{Depreciable Base}} ). Here, ( \text{Depreciable Base} = \text{Asset's Purchase Price} - \text{Salvage Value} ).
    • Calculate the straight-line rate: ( \text{Straight-line Depreciation Rate} = \frac{1,000 - \text{Salvage Value}}{5 \text{ years}} ).
    • Double the straight-line rate to obtain the double-declining depreciation rate: ( \text{Double-Declining Depreciation Rate} = \text{Straight-Line Depreciation Rate} \times 2 ).
    • This rate determines the annual depreciation expense: ( \text{Depreciation Expense} = \text{Double-Declining Depreciation Rate} \times \text{Asset's Book Value} ).

Asset Depreciation Concepts:

  • Depreciable Base: It's the portion of an asset's cost that can be depreciated over its useful life.
  • Salvage Value: The estimated residual value of an asset at the end of its useful life.
  • Useful Life: The expected duration over which an asset will be operational before it's deemed no longer useful.
  • Depreciation Expense: The allocated cost of an asset over its useful life.
  • Book Value: The value of an asset as it appears on a balance sheet, calculated as the asset's cost minus accumulated depreciation.

Related Accounting Topics:

  • Financial Statements & Reports: Depreciation impacts the balance sheet and income statement.
  • GAAP / IFRS: Depreciation methods must adhere to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles or International Financial Reporting Standards.
  • Profitability: Understanding depreciation's influence on a company's overall profitability.
  • Tax: Depreciation is often used for tax deductions.

The article emphasizes the importance of accurately calculating depreciation to reflect an asset's true value and the impact on a company's financial statements and decision-making processes. Mastering these concepts is crucial for effective financial management and compliance with accounting standards.

Double-Declining Depreciation Formula - The Strategic CFO® (2024)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: The Hon. Margery Christiansen

Last Updated:

Views: 6087

Rating: 5 / 5 (70 voted)

Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: The Hon. Margery Christiansen

Birthday: 2000-07-07

Address: 5050 Breitenberg Knoll, New Robert, MI 45409

Phone: +2556892639372

Job: Investor Mining Engineer

Hobby: Sketching, Cosplaying, Glassblowing, Genealogy, Crocheting, Archery, Skateboarding

Introduction: My name is The Hon. Margery Christiansen, I am a bright, adorable, precious, inexpensive, gorgeous, comfortable, happy person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.