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Using the Application

Sum-of-the-Years'-Digits Depreciation

The equation for calculating sum-of-the-years'-digits depreciation is:

Acquisition Cost - Salv. Val.

X

Useful Life Remaining
Sum-of-the-Years' Digits

=

Annual Depr.

 

To calculate the sum-of-the-years' digits in the above equation, add the digits for each year in the useful life. For example, for an asset with a 3-year useful life, the sum-of-the-years' digits is:

Year 1 + Year 2 + Year 3 = 6

You can also use the following formula:

n(n + 1)
   2

where n = the useful life

For an asset with a 5-year useful life, the sum-of-the-years' digits is:

5(5 + 1)
2

=

30
2

=

15

Here is an example:

Acquired Value:

$16,000

Salvage Value:

$1,000

Estimated Life:

5 Years

Placed-in-Service Date:

01/01/2021

 

Year 1:

(16,000 - 1,000)

X

         5         
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5

=

$5,000

Year 2:

(16,000 - 1,000)

X

         4         
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5

=

$4,000

Year 3:

(16,000 - 1,000)

X

         3         
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5

=

$3,000

Year 4:

(16,000 - 1,000)

X

         2         
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5

=

$2,000

Year 5:

(16,000 - 1,000)

X

         1         
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5

=

$1,000