In using the declining balance method, a company reports larger depreciation expenses during the earlier years of an asset’s useful life. Depreciation is the allocation of an asset’s cost over its useful life. A company may choose from different methods of depreciation for financial reporting purposes. Straight line, double-declining balance and units of production are three such methods.

The Excel DDB function returns the depreciation of an asset for a given period using the double-declining balance method or another method you specify by changing the factor argument. Method involves calculations that are quite similar to the straight-line method, but it allocates the depreciable base over the units of output rather than years of use. Or, a printing machine may produce an expected 4,000,000 copies. In cases like these, the accountant may opt for the units-of-output method. In this way, your annual write-offs can remain more stable and predictable over time.

What is the double declining balance method of depreciation?

This formula works for each year you are depreciating an asset, except for the last year of an asset’s useful life. In that year, the amount to be depreciated will be the difference between the book value of the asset at the beginning of the year and its final salvage value . Given the nature of the DDB depreciation method, it is best reserved for assets that depreciate rapidly in the first several years of ownership, such as cars and heavy equipment. By applying the DDB depreciation method, you can depreciate these assets faster, capturing tax benefits more quickly and reducing your tax liability in the first few years after purchasing them. So, is the double-declining balance right for your business? Double declining balance is useful for assets, such as vehicles, where there is a greater loss in value upfront.

Don’t worry—these formulas are a lot easier to understand with a step-by-step example. Harold Averkamp has worked as a university accounting instructor, accountant, and consultant for more than 25 years. He is the sole author of all the materials on AccountingCoach.com. https://kelleysbookkeeping.com/ INVESTMENT BANKING RESOURCESLearn the foundation of Investment banking, financial modeling, valuations and more. Contra AccountContra Account is an opposite entry passed to offset its related original account balances in the ledger.

What is the double declining balance (DDB) depreciation method?

Depreciation enables companies to generate revenue from their assets while only charging a fraction of the cost of the asset in use each year. Companies will typically keep two sets of books – one for tax filings, Double Declining Balance Ddb Depreciation Method Definition and one for investors. Companies can use different depreciation methods for each set of books. Deduct the annual depreciation expense from the beginning period value to calculate the ending period value.

The double declining depreciation rate would equal 20 percent. At the beginning of Year 3, the asset’s book value will be $64,000. This is the fixture’s cost of $100,000 minus its accumulated depreciation of $36,000 ($20,000 + $16,000). The book value of $64,000 multiplied by 20% is $12,800 of depreciation expense for Year 3.

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Double declining balance depreciation allows for higher depreciation expenses in early years and lower expenses as an asset nears the end of its life. Some companies use accelerated depreciation methods to defer their tax obligations into future years. Double declining balance depreciation is one of these methods.

• When using double-declining balance method schedule, the depreciation rate stays the same, the depreciation expense gets smaller each period, and the depreciable base gets smaller each period.
• Also, most assets are utilized at a consistent rate over their useful lives, which does not reflect the rapid rate of depreciation resulting from this method.
• Because there’s more math involved in calculating the DDB depreciation method, applying the formula to several assets, on top of whatever other taxes you’re already filing, can prove to be rather confusing.
• Note that the double-declining multiplier yields a depreciation expense for only four years.
• A company may use the straight-line method for an asset it uses consistently each accounting period, such as a building.

The company would deduct $9,000 in the first year, but only $7,200 in the second year. Generally speaking, DDB depreciation rates can be 150%, 200%, or 250% of straight-line depreciation. In the case of 200%, the asset will depreciate twice as fast as it would under straight-line depreciation. The main downsides of using the DDB depreciation method is that it’s complicated to use and earns you less money in tax deductions later on.