Steps Taken During Cost Segregation Depreciation In A Firm

By Freida Michael


Studies for this process are encouraged to be undertaken by businesses and individuals who have properties that can depreciate because of its effect on financial accounting, income tax, property tax and insurance purposes. So cost segregation depreciation is very important to individuals and companies to help them not to overcharge their income as depreciation amount may be tax allowable.

The benefit of this practice include gradual cash flow increase, cutting down tax liability, leads to tax deferral and individuals can claim refunds on tax overcharge paid in the previous years without changing their tax return.

Since depreciation reduces a firm profit, it then also reduces the taxable amount of a business. The criteria used to apportion total expenditure of project to different assets very important as it helps to achieve accurate expenditure separation study.

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 methods that can be used to apportion expenditure to projects include letter approach sometimes called survey method, residue estimation technique, sampling method and engineering approach, this method basically uses original outlay records of an asset or project.

Blueprints, biding documents, contract agreement documents and supplier payment records should be thoroughly investigated and confirmed by a responsible person in the organization. This is necessary to come up with the exact cost of a property and it helps compute unit charge. Identify and apportion certain assets from this project to the suitable classes. The classes can be fixtures, fittings, building, motor vehicles or machinery.

This use of source document or actual records results to accurate allocation of expenditure, but still the method may face challenges of classification of property specifically. The technique is most appropriate for new construction only because of the comprehensive expenditure files available.

Scrap value is the amount a property can be sold at or fetch at the end of it useful life. Then reducing balance method is a technique that depreciates an asset yearly. The depreciation charge in the first year reduces the initial outlay of asset in the following year. The asset is depreciated year by year until its economic life is over.

The next step is reviewing the asset to verify nature and its desired purpose or use. For reference purposes take photos some specific assets. An auditor can also request photographs of previous sites to verify the progress of construction and the status of asset before the construction began.

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.

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