Depreciation refers to that portion of the value of an asset that is written off over the useful life of the asset due to wear and tear. Now, when we talk about depreciation, there are multiple methods to calculate depreciation such as: Straight Line Depreciation Method Diminishing Balance Method OrRead more
Depreciation refers to that portion of the value of an asset that is written off over the useful life of the asset due to wear and tear.
Now, when we talk about depreciation, there are multiple methods to calculate depreciation such as:
- Straight Line Depreciation Method
- Diminishing Balance Method Or Written Down Value Method
- Sum of Years’ Digits Method
- Double Declining Balance Method
- Sinking Fund Method
- Annuity Method
- Insurance Policy Method
- Discounted Cash Flow Method
- Use Based Methods
- Output Method
- Working Hours Method
- Mileage Method
- Other Methods
- Depletion Method
- Revaluation Method
- Group or Composite Method
The most commonly used methods are discussed below:
1. Straight Line Depreciation Method: This is the simplest method for calculating depreciation where a fixed amount of depreciation is charged over the useful life of the asset.
Formula:
Suppose a company Bear Ltd purchases machinery costing 8,00,000 with useful life of 10 years and salvage value 1,00,000. Then depreciation charged to the machinery each year would be:
Depreciation = (8,00,000 – 1,00,000)/10 = 7,00,000/10 = 7,000 p.a.
2. Diminishing Balance Method Or Written Down Value Method: Under this method, a fixed rate of depreciation is charged every year on the opening balance of the asset which is the difference between the previous year’s opening balance and the previous year’s depreciation. Here the book value of asset reduces every year and so does the depreciation amount.
Formula:
Suppose a company Moon ltd purchases a building for 50,00,000 with a useful life of 5 years and decides to depreciate it @ 10% p.a. on Diminishing Balance Method. Then depreciation charged to the machinery would be:

3. Sum of Years’ Digits Method: In this method, the life of asset is divided by the sum of years and multiplied by the cost of the asset to determine the depreciating expense. This method allocates higher depreciation expense in the early years of the life of the asset and lower depreciation expense in the latter years.
Formula:
Suppose a company Caps Ltd purchases machinery costing 9,00,000 having a useful life of 5 years. Then the depreciation cost would be:

4. Double Declining Balance method: This method is a mixture of straight-line method and diminishing balance method. A fixed rate of depreciation is charged on the reduced value of the asset at the beginning of the year. This rate is double the rate charged under straight-line method.
Formula:
Suppose a company Paper Ltd purchases machinery for 1,00,000 with an estimated useful life of 8 years. Then the depreciation rate would be:
Straight line = 100%/8 = 12.5%
Double declining method = 2*12.5% = 25%

5. Sinking Fund Method: Under this method, the amount of depreciation keeps on accumulating till the asset is completely worn out. Depreciation is the same every year. Profits equal to the amount of depreciation is invested each year outside the company. At the time of replacement of the asset the investments and sold and the proceeds thereof are used to purchase the new asset.
6. Annuity Method: This method calculates depreciation by calculating its internal rate of return (IRR). Depreciation is calculated by multiplying the IRR with an initial book value of the asset, and the result is subtracted from the cash flow for the period.
7. Use Based Methods: Depreciation, under these methods, is based on the total estimated machine hours or total estimated units produced during the life of the machine. It is calculated by dividing the cost of the machine by the estimated total machine hours or estimated lifetime production in units and multiplying by the units produced or machine hours worked.
Formula:
Suppose a company Box Ltd purchases machinery for 25,000 (estimated life 5 years) whose estimated life production is 5,000 units. If it produces 700 units in the first year of operation then depreciation cost would be:
Depreciation = 25,000/5,000*700 = 3,500
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Straight Line Depreciation Journal Entry Straight-line depreciation refers to the diminishing value of assets over the life of the asset. In other words, the cost of the asset spreads evenly over the useful life of the assets. The salvage value or Residual value of an asset means the estimated valueRead more
Straight Line Depreciation Journal Entry
Straight-line depreciation refers to the diminishing value of assets over the life of the asset. In other words, the cost of the asset spreads evenly over the useful life of the assets.
The salvage value or Residual value of an asset means the estimated value of the asset at the end of its useful life.
The depreciation can also be charged with another method like Written Down Value (WDV) Method.
Formula
Depreciation per annum = ( Cost of asset – Salvage Value) / Useful Life
The journal entry for the depreciation is:
JOURNAL ENTRIES
Now let us understand this with an example, suppose XYZ Ltd. has an asset of value 90,000 with a useful life of 3 years. The company uses the straight-line method of depreciation to depreciate the asset in its book.
So, the depreciation per annum would be calculated as:-
= 90,000/3
= 30,000
In Year 1, the depreciation will be charged as 30,000 for this year. It will be debited to the depreciation account and credited to the asset account. Thus, the value of the asset at the end of year 1 will be 60,000 (90,000-30,000).
JOURNAL ENTRIES
In Year 2, the depreciation will be charged as 30,000. The entry would be the same as the previous year. The value of the asset at the end of year 2 will be 30,000 (60,000-30,000).
At last in Year 3, the depreciation will be charged 30,000. The entry would be the same. The value of the asset at the end of year 3 will be Nil (30,000- 30,000).
JOURNAL ENTRIES
CR
The depreciation will be charged to the profit and loss account for the year as it is an expense for the company.
The entries will be posted into depreciation account as mentioned:
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