Question

Marsh Corporation purchased a machine on July 1, 2015, for $1,500,000. The machine was estimated to have a useful life of 10 years with an estimated salvage value of $84,000. During 2018, it became apparent that the machine would become uneconomical after December 31, 2022, and that the machine would have no scrap value. Accumulated depreciation on this machine as of December 31, 2017, was $354,000. What should be the charge for depreciation in 2018 under generally accepted accounting principles

Answer 1

$229,200

Step-by-step explanation:

The carrying value of the machine as of December 31, 2017, was $1,500,000 (purchase cost) - $354,000 (accumulated depreciation) = $1,146,000.

Since the machine's useful remaining life was reduced by 3 years, the depreciation amount should reflect this. The remaining useful life of the machine is 5 years (2018 - 2022), so the company can increase the depreciation expense per year to $1,146,000 / 5 = $229,200.

That way at the end of 2022 the carrying value will be $0, since the machine has no salvage value.