Final answer:
To capitalize the cash cost of a piece of equipment means to record it as an asset on a company's balance sheet instead of immediately expensing it as a cost.
Step-by-step explanation:
To capitalize the cash cost of a piece of equipment means to record it as an asset on a company's balance sheet, instead of immediately expensing it as a cost. This is done when the equipment is expected to provide future economic benefits over a long period of time. By capitalizing the cost, the company can spread the expense over the useful life of the equipment through depreciation.
For example, if a company buys a machine for $10,000 and expects it to last for 5 years, they may choose to capitalize the cost by recording it as a $10,000 asset on their balance sheet. Each year, they can then expense $2,000 ($10,000 divided by 5) as depreciation, reflecting the gradual reduction in the value of the machine over time.