Billie Bob's Depreciation Deduction Calculation for the Second Year

Depreciation Calculation for Billie Bob's Camera

Billie Bob purchased a used camera (five-year property) for use in his sole proprietorship in the prior year. The basis of the camera was $2,400. Billie Bob used the camera in his business 60 percent of the time during the first year. During the second year, Billie Bob used the camera 40 percent for business use. Calculate Billie Bob's depreciation deduction during the second year, assuming the sole proprietorship had a loss during the year. (Billie Bob did not place the asset in service in the last quarter.)

Answer:

$48

Explanation:

Property's been listed in the business and use drops by more than 50%, we have to use the straight-line method and all prior years' excess depreciation has to be recovered. The asset's been recapture within the five (5) years and the half-year convention will to be applied.

The evaluation for the current year's depreciation before adjusting for the prior year is done as follows:

$2,400 × 0.20 × 40% = $192.

But we have to recover prior depreciation of $144 ($2,400 × 0.20 × 60% = $288 taken less $144 (straight-line, ½ year)) that would have been taken.