The double declining balance method formula balance method of depreciation reports higher depreciation charges in earlier years than in later years. The higher depreciation in earlier years matches the fixed asset’s ability to perform at optimum efficiency, while lower depreciation in later years matches higher maintenance costs. However, computing the double declining depreciation is very systematic. It’s ideal to have an accounting software program that can calculate depreciation automatically. The double declining balance method is an accelerated depreciation method. Using this method the Book Value at the beginning of each period is multiplied by a fixed Depreciation Rate which is 200% of the straight line depreciation rate, or a factor of 2.

If the asset for which you are calculating depreciation contains an averaging convention, LN adjusts the depreciation expense for the first half year, quarter, or month calculation. This is the asset’s estimated value at the end of its useful life after all depreciation has been taken. The salvage value is subtracted from the initial cost to determine the asset’s depreciable base.

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Then come back here—you’ll have the background knowledge you need to learn about double declining balance. As a hypothetical example, suppose a business purchased a $30,000 delivery truck, which was expected to last for 10 years. Under the straight-line depreciation method, the company would deduct $2,700 per year for 10 years–that is, $30,000 minus $3,000, divided by 10. By dividing the $4 million depreciation expense by the purchase cost, the implied depreciation rate is 18.0% per year. The prior statement tends to be true for most fixed assets due to normal “wear and tear” from any consistent, constant usage. Cash And Cash EquivalentsCash and Cash Equivalents are assets that are short-term and highly liquid investments that can be readily converted into cash and have a low risk of price fluctuation.

Depreciation rates used in the declining balance method could be 150%, 200% , or 250% of the straight-line rate. When the depreciation rate for the declining balance method is set as a multiple, doubling the straight-line rate, the declining balance method is effectively the double-declining balance method. Over the depreciation process, the double depreciation rate remains constant and is applied to the reducing book value each depreciation period. The book value, or depreciation base, of an asset, declines over time. Double Declining Balance Method → In contrast, accelerated depreciation records greater depreciation expenses in the initial periods post-purchase, but this expense declines over time.

The benefits of double declining balance

In the https://www.bookstime.com/ period, the depreciation expense is simply the difference between the salvage value and the book value. We can understand how the depreciation expense is calculated each year under the double-declining method from the below schedule. For example, last year, the actual depreciation expense as per the depreciation rate should have been $13,422 but kept at $12,108.86 to keep the asset at its estimated salvage value. So, the depreciation expense is calculated in the last year by deducting the salvage value from the opening book value.

At some point the depreciation model switches to straight line depreciation, either because the asset has reached its salvage value, or because the straight line model shows more depreciation. Because of , you must run the double declining balance method alongside the straight line method, and compare them. The double declining balance method allows businesses to adjust the depreciation rate each year based on the asset’s remaining book value.

Double Declining Balance: A Simple Depreciation Guide

A variation on this method is the 150% declining balance method, which substitutes 1.5 for the 2.0 figure used in the calculation. The 150% method does not result in as rapid a rate of depreciation at the double declining method. Some businesses argue that the double declining balance method needs to reflect the asset’s value over time accurately. Because it allocates a more significant portion of the asset’s cost to the early years of its useful life, it may not accurately reflect its value in later years. By allocating a more significant portion of the asset’s cost to the early years of its useful life, the double declining balance method can help businesses match their expenses with their revenues more closely. This can be particularly beneficial for businesses that generate most of their revenues early in an asset’s use.