Depreciation allocates the cost of a tangible asset over its useful life. It appears as an expense on financial statements, reducing taxable income.
Common Methods
- Straight-line: Equal expense each year (most common)
- Declining balance: Larger expense in early years
- MACRS: IRS-approved accelerated method for tax purposes
Example
A $50,000 vehicle with 5-year life: Straight-line depreciation = $10,000/year. After 3 years, book value = $20,000.