Depreciation for Computers Definition
Depreciation for Computers means an amount which is written-off from the cost of computers each year equally or calculated on written down value by a business enterprise over the useful life of computer so as to change them as and when they become less useful over a period of time, in other words, it refers to reducing or providing an amount to decrease the value of computers and to report profits accurately.
How to Calculate?
That the depreciation for computers can be calculated using the Straight Line Method and WDV Method of Depreciation.
The difference amongst both the methods mentioned above is that in the straight-line method fix amount calculated equally to be written off every year until the value reached zero.
In written down value method, a different amount based on the amount calculated based on written down value or can be said the opening value of an asset for the year for which depreciation is to be calculated is charged as depreciation. The amount charged in initial years is high in the written down value method. It can be derived by using the following steps:
Step 1: Calculate the total value of computers on which depreciation is to be calculated.
Step 2: Determine the rate of depreciation at which the depreciation is to be charged, or provision for depreciation is to be made.

4.9 (1,067 ratings) 250+ Courses | 40+ Projects | 1000+ Hours | Full Lifetime Access | Certificate of Completion
Step 3: Finally, taking the product of the total cost of computers purchased with the rate of depreciation for the period of use during the year. Mathematically, it is represented as:
Examples of Depreciation for Computers
Let’s discuss the following examples.
Example #1
ABC inc. has purchased computers of $1,000,000 on 01.04.2019. The project has a life of 5 years. At the end of the project, the purchased computers could be sold for $100,000. The rate of depreciation as per governing law is 40% p.a. We have to calculate the value of depreciation to be charged as on 31.03.2020.
Solution:
Now, the amount of depreciation as per written down value method as on 31.03.2020 is as follows:
- Depreciation = $(1,000,000 * 40% * 1 year) = $400,000
- The amount of depreciation to be charged as on 31.03.2020 is $400,000.
Amount of depreciation as per the straight-line method as on 31.03.2020 is as follows:
- Depreciation = $(1,000,000 – 100,000) / 5 = $180,000
- The amount of depreciation to be charged as on 31.03.2020 is $180,000.
Example #2
PQR INC. had computers that had written down value (WDV) as on 01.04.2019 is $1,500,000. The remaining project life is 4 years. After the project life ends, the computers could be sold for $500,000. The rate of depreciation as per governing law is 30% p.a. We have to calculate the value of depreciation to be charged using the written down value method as on 31.03.2020, 31.03.2021, and 31.03.2022.
Solution:
Now, the amount of depreciation as per Written down Value method as on 31.03.2020 is as follows:
- Depreciation = $(1,500,000 * 30%* 1 year) = $450,000
- The amount of depreciation to be charged as on 31.03.2020 is $450,000.
- Written down value as on 31.03.2020 = $(1,500,000 – 450,000) = $1,050,000
Amount of depreciation as per Written down Value method as on 31.03.2021 is as follows:
- Depreciation $(1,050,000 * 30% * 1 year) = $315,000
- The amount of depreciation to be charged as on 31.03.2021 is $315,000.
- Written down value as on 31.03.2021 = $(1,050,000 – 315,000) = $735,000
Amount of depreciation as per Written down Value method as on 31.03.2022 is as follows:
- Depreciation = $(735,000 * 30% * 1 year) = $220,500
- The amount of depreciation to be charged as on 31.03.2022 is $220,500.
- Written down value as on 31.03.2021 = $(735,000 – 220,500) = $514,500
Rate of Depreciation for Computers
In India, as per the provisions of Income Tax Act, 1961 the rate of depreciation for computers was 60% p.a. which later on revised to 40% p.a.
Recommended Articles
This article has been a guide to Depreciation for Computers. Here we discuss how to calculate depreciation for computers with examples and their rate. You can learn more about from the following articles –