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SF Depreciation

SF Depreciation in a Short Year

The formula for calculating SF depreciation in a short year is:

Yearly Depr. in a 12-month Year

X

Months Asset is in Service
12 

=

Depr. in a Short Year

The first step in calculating depreciation for depreciation method SF is to calculate the adjusted basis. The formula for calculating the adjusted basis is:

Original Cost - Salvage Value

=

Adjusted Basis

The formula for calculating straight-line depreciation is:

Adjusted Basis
Estimated Life

=

Annual Depreciation

Here is an example:

A company begins operations in April 2021 and has a December year-end.

Original Cost:

$14,000

Salvage Value:

$2,000

Placed-in-service Date:

07/16/2021

Estimated Life:

5 Years

 

First, calculate the adjusted basis:

$14,000 - $2,000

=

$12,000

Next, calculate the annual depreciation:

$12,000
5

=

$2,400

Year 1:

$2,400

X

6 *
12

=

$1,200

* The SF depreciation method uses the full month averaging convention. The asset is treated as though it were placed in service on July 1. It receives a full month of depreciation in July and 6 months of depreciation in the first year.

Years 2 through 5:

In years 2 through 5, the asset receives the yearly depreciation of $2,400 (as calculated above).

Year 6:

$2,400

X

6
12

=

$1,200

In the final year, the asset receives 6 months of depreciation.