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SL Depreciation

SL Depreciation in a Short Year

The formula for calculating SL 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 SL 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

5 *
12

=

$1,000

* The SL depreciation method uses the midmonth averaging convention. Because the asset was placed in service after the 15th day of the month, it receives no depreciation in July. The asset receives 5 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

7
12

=

$1,400

In the final year, the asset receives 7 months of depreciation.