Approaches To Cost Segregation Depreciation

By Freida Michael


Depreciation is loss in value of a fixed asset such as motor vehicle, machinery, office equipment and computers if any. This is a practice defining an asset and identifying its cost, then grouping the asset according to their similarities for tax purposes. Cost segregation depreciation has many benefits to an individual or a firm due to it tax implication.

This idea identifies properties fixed in organization buildings or purchasing expenditure that attracts depreciation charge for more than five years to fifteen years rather than the twenty seven years standard limit. These costs are then classified according to their similarities and then depreciated allowing the company to reduce their tax burden.

The practice allows individuals to reapportion real asset to specific properties. This will lead reduced tax life of an asset and facilitate depreciation methods. Depreciation has a negative effect on the income statement of a firm as it reduces disposal income.

The frequently used techniques for segregation of outlay include detailed engineering technique which is based from initial expenditure records, letter approach also known as survey technique, residue estimation method and finally modeling or sampling method.

The next stage is verifying the nature of the asset and evaluating its intended purpose. Sometimes it may require the auditor to take photos of the project for reference in the future if need be. Also photos of site previously constructed may be required for verification purposes and to monitor construction progress.

The detailed engineering technique has few vital steps that professionals ought to follow to achieve reliable and accurate results. The technique takes expenditure of that period of construction into consideration by using outlay records relating to the asset in coming up with amount to be depreciated.

Some firms can also use straight line method or reducing balance methods of depreciating an asset. The straight line basis takes the initial value of a property, removes any residual or scraps value from the initial outlay and then apportions the resultant amount to the useful years of the property.

Then share the indirect charges to their correct classes of property. These indirect expenses include permit expenses, architectural fee and engineering charges. Asset with equal useful life are put in one category their depreciation charge calculated. Disadvantage of this method is that it consumes a lot of time. It also requires many skilled personnel to be involved. But it is preferred for its accuracy. The next approach is scrap value estimation method.

Engineering approach is systematic and more accurate as compared to the rest of approaches. The approach is accurate because it uses less estimated figures and rather takes only the cost amounts as documented.

Thoroughly counter checking of blueprints, contracts, documents for bid, payment request from suppliers and specifications for verification. Prepare take offs quantitatively for the entire material used in construction and utilize records for payments to calculate unit costs. Recognize and allocate specific items from the project to their respective classes such as buildings, land, equipment, fixtures and fittings and other non current assets.

The approach also fails to reconcile the project actual cost with the quantitative value. It is an unreasonable approach to use since a proper approach will add back residual cost to the total cost of short term asset.




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