A construction company claiming depreciation on earth moving equipment switched from the diminishing value method to the prime cost method after two years in order to claim maximum depreciation in the shortest possible time. Cost of depreciation on 1 January 1997 K850,000.From 1

January 1999 depreciation was claimed using the prime cost method. Calculate the amount of depreciation claimed for 1999 and the written down value of plant at the end of the year.

1 answer

To calculate the depreciation claimed for the year 1999 under the prime cost method, we first need to determine a few key details, including the depreciation calculated under the diminishing value method for the earlier years and the new depreciation rates under the prime cost method.

Step 1: Diminishing Value Method (for 1997 and 1998)

  1. Cost of Equipment: K850,000

  2. Useful Life or Depreciation Rate (assumed): For this example, let’s assume a rate that is commonly used, such as 20% per annum for the diminishing value method.

    The depreciation for each year can be calculated as follows:

    • 1997: \[ \text{Depreciation} = \text{Cost} \times \text{Depreciation Rate} = 850,000 \times 20% = K170,000 \]

    • Written Down Value at the end of 1997: \[ \text{WDV} = \text{Cost} - \text{Depreciation} = 850,000 - 170,000 = K680,000 \]

    • 1998: \[ \text{Depreciation} = 680,000 \times 20% = K136,000 \]

    • Written Down Value at the end of 1998: \[ \text{WDV} = 680,000 - 136,000 = K544,000 \]

Step 2: Prime Cost Method (from 1 January 1999)

For the prime cost method (straight line method), let’s assume that the same useful life of the asset was initially considered (e.g., 5 years). Thus, the annual depreciation can be calculated by:

  • Useful Life: 5 years
  • Annual Depreciation: \[ \text{Annual Depreciation} = \frac{\text{Cost}}{\text{Useful Life}} = \frac{850,000}{5} = K170,000 \]

Step 3: Depreciation Claimed for 1999

Since the company switched to the prime cost method as of 1 January 1999, the amount of depreciation claimed for 1999 will be K170,000.

Step 4: Written Down Value at the End of 1999

  1. Written Down Value at the beginning of 1999: This is the WDV at the end of 1998, which we calculated as K544,000.

  2. Depreciation to be deducted for 1999: \[ \text{Depreciation for 1999} = K170,000 \]

  3. Written Down Value at the end of 1999: \[ \text{WDV at end of 1999} = \text{WDV at beginning of 1999} - \text{Depreciation for 1999} \] \[ \text{WDV at end of 1999} = 544,000 - 170,000 = K374,000 \]

Summary

  • Depreciation Claimed for 1999: K170,000
  • Written Down Value at the End of 1999: K374,000

These calculations assume specific depreciation rates and useful life; please adjust them based on the actual rates applicable to your scenario if they differ.