Straight line depreciation is the depreciation method that allows an equal amount of depreciation to be taken each year. The amount of depreciation is determined by subtracting the salvage value of the asset at the end of its useful life from the purchase price of the asset. The remaining value is called the book value. The book value is divided by the number of years, and this amount is expensed from the asset each year.
For example, a company buys a large machine for $1 million. The purchase is made with cash. In the accounts for this transaction, the cash account is reduced by $1 million, and the machine account is increased by the amount of $1 million. There is no effect on the liabilities or owner's equity side of the accounting equation and it remains balanced. The cost of this machine must eventually be recognized.
The machine has a useful life often years and is worth $100,000 at the end of its useful life in terms of scrap value or the ability to sell the machine to someone else. This means that the value of the machine that must be depreciated is $900,000. Since the life of the machine is ten years, the value depreciated each year is $90,000.
For example, a company buys a large machine for $1 million. The purchase is made with cash. In the accounts for this transaction, the cash account is reduced by $1 million, and the machine account is increased by the amount of $1 million. There is no effect on the liabilities or owner's equity side of the accounting equation and it remains balanced. The cost of this machine must eventually be recognized.
The machine has a useful life often years and is worth $100,000 at the end of its useful life in terms of scrap value or the ability to sell the machine to someone else. This means that the value of the machine that must be depreciated is $900,000. Since the life of the machine is ten years, the value depreciated each year is $90,000.