All About Credit Cards

Double-Declining-Balance depreciation method (DDB)

method of accelerated depreciation, approved by the Internal Revenue Service, permitting twice the rate of annual depreciation as the straight-line method. It is also called the 200 percent decliningbalance method. The two methods are compared below, assuming an asset with a total cost of $1,000, a useful life of four years, and no salvage value .

With straight-line depreciation the useful life of the asset is divided into the total cost to arrive at the uniform annual charge of $250, or 25% a year. DDB permits twice the straight-line annual percentage rate-50% in this case-to be applied each year to the ndepreciated value of the asset. Hence: 50% × $1,000 = $500 the first year, 50% × $500 = $250 the second year, and so on.

A variation of DDB, called 150 percent declining balance method, uses 150% of the straight-line annual percentage rate.

A switch to straight-line from declining balance depreciation is permitted once in the asset's life-logically, at the third year in our example. When the switch is made, however, salvage value must be considered.