HomeLearning CenterHow to Calculate Depreciation in 2025 – Complete Methods & Formula Guide
Blog Banner

Author

LoansJagat Team

Read Time

5 Min

30 May 2025

How to Calculate Depreciation in 2025 – Complete Methods & Formula Guide

blog

Nitin is a self-made man who works for our family. He purchased the car in 2015 for ₹10,00,000. It is expected that the current value of the car in 2025 will be ₹2,50,00.


Simple Calculation

  • Total Depreciation = Original Price – Current Value
  • = ₹10,00,000 – ₹2,50,000 = ₹7,50,000
  • Yearly Depreciation = Total Depreciation ÷ Number of Years
  • = ₹7,50,000 ÷ 10 years = ₹75,000/year


Depreciation Table

Year

Value at Start

Yearly Depreciation

Value at End

2015

₹10,00,000

₹75,000

₹9,25,000

2016

₹9,25,000

₹75,000

₹8,50,000

….

….

….

….

2015

₹3,25,000

₹75,000

₹2,50,000


Every year, Nitin’s car costs him ₹75,000. After 10 years, the amount you can get for the stock is ₹2,50,000.


What is Depreciation?


Over time, depreciation happens to something you own as its value lowers due to wear and tear. Things such as cars, phones, or machines lose their value as time passes.


Depreciation Table

Year

Value at Start

Yearly Depreciation

Value at End

2015

₹10,00,000

₹75,000

₹9,25,000

2016

₹9,25,000

₹75,000

₹8,50,000

….

….

….

….

2015

₹3,25,000

₹75,000

₹2,50,000


Key Points

  • Depreciation happens to all assets (cars, phones, furniture).
  • Businesses use it to save taxes by showing reduced profits.
  • Two common methods:
  • Straight-Line (equal loss every year).
  • Written Down Value (WDV) (faster loss in early years).

 

Nitin’s car loses ₹80,000 every year, simple and easy to track!

 

Why is Depreciation Important?

 

It is important because businesses and individuals need to know how much their assets may have lost in value over the years. It has an impact on taxes, financial decision-making, and planning.

 

Example: Nitin’s Car Business:

Read MoreEffective Ways to Use a Business Loan for Cash Flow Management

 

Nitin owns a taxi service and bought a car for ₹10,00,000 in 2015. After 10 years, its value drops to ₹2,00,000.

Depreciation Table: (Straight Line Method)

 

Year

Value at Start

Yearly Depreciation

Value at End

2015

₹10,00,000

₹80,000

₹9,20,000

2016

₹9,20,000

₹80,000

₹8,40,000

….

….

….

….

2015

₹3,28,000

₹80,000

₹2,00,000

 

Key Reasons Why Depreciation is Important

 

  • Tax Savings
  • Businesses like Nitin’s can claim ₹80,000 yearly as an expense, reducing taxable profit.
  • Lower taxes mean more money to reinvest.


  • True Profit Calculation
  • Nitin’s business would show higher (but false) profits without depreciation.
  • Proper accounting ensures accurate financial health.

  • Budgeting for Replacements
  • Nitin knows his car loses ₹80,000 yearly, so he can plan to buy a new one.

  • Fair Asset Valuation
  • Financial statements reflect the car’s real worth (not its original price).


  • Loan & Resale Decisions
  • Banks check the depreciated value before giving loans.
  • Nitin can negotiate better when selling his old car.


Different Methods to Calculate Depreciation


There are several ways to find the rate of depreciation. Depending on the business situation, certain assets require certain accounting methods. Allow me to explain three common options using Nitin’s car as an example.


Nitin's Car Details

  • Purchase Price (2015): ₹10,00,000
  • Useful Life: 10 years
  • Salvage Value (2025): ₹2,00,000


1. Straight-Line Method (Equal Yearly Loss)

  • Simplest method
  • Same depreciation every year
  • Formula:
  • (Purchase Price - Salvage Value) ÷ Useful Life


Calculation:


(₹10,00,000 - ₹2,00,000) ÷ 10 = ₹80,000 per year

Year

Value at Start

Yearly Depreciation

Value at End

2015

₹10,00,000

₹80,000

₹9,20,000

2016

₹9,20,000

₹80,000

₹8,40,000

….

….

….

….

2015

₹3,28,000

₹80,000

₹2,00,000


2. Written Down Value (WDV) Method (Faster Early Loss)

  • Higher depreciation in the early years
  • Common for electronics, vehicles
  • Formula:
  • Current Value × Fixed Percentage (e.g., 20%)


Calculation (20% rate):

Year

Value at Start

Yearly Depreciation

Value at End

2015

₹10,00,000

₹2,00,000

₹8,00,000

2016

₹8,00,000

₹2,60,000

₹6,40,000

2017

₹6,00,000

₹1,28,000

₹5,12,000

….

….

….

….


3. Units of Production Method (Based on Usage)

  • Depends on how much the asset is used.
  • Good for factory machines, vehicles.
  • Formula:
  • (Cost - Salvage Value) ÷ Total Expected Usage.


Example: If a car lasts 2,00,000 km:


(₹10,00,000 - ₹2,00,000) ÷ 2,00,000 = ₹4 per km

If Nitin drives 20,000 km/year:

20,000 × ₹4 = ₹80,000 yearly depreciation


Which Method to Choose?

  • Straight-Line: Simple, equal expenses (buildings, furniture).
  • WDV: Fast-depreciating items (cars, phones).
  • Units of Production: Usage-based (taxis, factory machines).


Nitin can pick the method that best matches his car's use and business needs.


How does Depreciation Affect Taxes?


Depreciation helps save taxes by reducing your business profits on paper. Here's how it works for Nitin:

  • Nitin's Taxi Business
  • Bought a car for ₹10,00,000 in 2015.
  • Uses straight-line depreciation (₹80,000 per year).
  • After 5 years, total depreciation claimed: ₹4,00,000.


  • Tax Savings
  • Without depreciation, Nitin's business shows ₹5,00,000 profit.
  • With depreciation: Profit reduces to ₹4,20,000 (₹5,00,000 - ₹80,000).
  • Lower profit = Lower tax payment.


  • Key Points
  • Depreciation is a "paper expense" - no actual cash leaves your pocket.
  • The government allows this deduction to encourage business investments.
  • Different assets have different depreciation rates (cars, machines, buildings).
  • Must use approved methods (like straight-line or WDV) for tax filings.
  • If you sell the asset later, tax rules adjust for the depreciation claimed.


Each year, Nitin pays less tax since the depreciation makes his company’s earnings look less, helping him save money towards a new car. With this benefit, companies can acquire business assets more easily as time goes by.


Conclusion


It is similar to your car getting less valuable over time, though your business. Choose Nitin’s taxi because it was bought for ₹10 lakhs; each year, ₹80,000 is lost in paper value. The pay expenses, not real money taken from his pocket. So far, he’s used ₹4 lakhs from his business income to buy his next car and has set aside that amount, avoiding tax on it. 

Also Read – How to Calculate Company Valuation – Step-by-Step Guide


A straight-line method is simple, but WDV gives tax savings at the beginning of the ownership. The main idea is that depreciation gives businesses like Nitin’s the ability to prepare for the next purchase, while saving taxes. The approach helps to manage money effectively as time goes on, channelling loss of assets into better financial results.


FAQs


1. What is depreciation?

Depreciation is the gradual loss in value of things you own, like cars or machines, because they get older or wear out over time.


2. Why does depreciation matter?

It helps businesses like Nitin’s show lower profits on paper, which means paying less tax. It also helps plan for replacing old assets without financial shocks.


3. How is depreciation calculated?

The simplest way (straight-line method) divides the asset’s cost minus its scrap value by its useful years. Nitin’s ₹10 lakh car with a ₹2 lakh scrap value over 10 years loses ₹80,000 yearly.


4. What’s the difference between straight-line and WDV methods?

Straight-line deducts equal amounts yearly (like Nitin’s ₹80,000), while WDV deducts more in early years (e.g., ₹2 lakh first year, then less each following year).


5. Can depreciation save me taxes?

Yes! By claiming depreciation, Nitin reduces his business’s taxable profit. Lower profit = lower tax, even though no actual cash is spent.


6. Do all assets depreciate?

No, only assets that lose value over time (cars, machines). Land or investments like stocks don’t depreciate.


7. What’s salvage value?

It’s what the asset is worth at the end of its life. Nitin’s car may sell for ₹2 lakh after 10 years, that’s its salvage value.


8. Can I change depreciation methods later?

Usually no. Tax rules require you to stick to one method for each asset unless there’s a special reason to change.


9. How does depreciation affect selling an asset?

If Nitin sells his car for more than its depreciated value, the extra profit is taxable. If sold for less, he can claim a loss.


10. Is depreciation the same as maintenance costs?

No. Depreciation is a paper loss in value, while maintenance (like repairs) is real cash spent to keep the asset working. Both reduce profits but differently.
 

How to Guides – Investing, Trading & Wealth Building

How to Analyze Stocks

How to be a Billionaire

How to Become a Millionaire

How to Build an Investment Fund

How to Build Wealth from Scratch

How to Buy Cryptocurrency

How to Buy Dascoin in India

How to Buy Digital Gold

How to Buy Shares Online

How to Buy Unlisted Shares

How to Buy US Stocks in India

How to Do Options Trading

How to Earn Money in Stock Market

How to Invest in Cryptocurrency

How to Invest in Indian Startups

How to Invest in Mutual Funds

How to Learn Share Market

How to Learn Trading

How to Purchase Shares

How to Select Stocks for Intraday

How to Start SIP Investment

 

 

Apply for Loans Fast and Hassle-Free

About the Author

logo

LoansJagat Team

We are a team of writers, editors, and proofreaders with 15+ years of experience in the finance field. We are your personal finance gurus! But, we will explain everything in simplified language. Our aim is to make personal and business finance easier for you. While we help you upgrade your financial knowledge, why don't you read some of our blogs?

coin

Quick Apply Loan

tick
100% Digital Process
tick
Loan Upto 50 Lacs
tick
Best Deal Guaranteed

Subscribe Now