Depreciation under Income Tax Act

The meaning of depreciation is a reduction in the value of an asset over a period of time. A taxpayer can claim it as a valid business expense. Depreciation as per the Income Tax Act is a decrease in the value of the asset over its useful life. It can be claimed as an expense and reduced from the taxable income of the taxpayer. A taxpayer can claim it on both tangible assets and intangible assets as per the prescribed rates in the Income Tax Act.

The calculation of depreciation under Income Tax Act is different than the Companies Act. In the case of a Company, it is calculated as per the prescribed rates and methods under the Companies Act, 2013. Thus, in the case of a Company, the depreciation as per the books of accounts would be different than the amount as per the Income Tax Return.

Block of Assets

Block of Assets means a group of assets falling under the same category and having the same depreciation rate. Gross Block is the sum of the gross value of each asset as of the beginning of the financial year. Net Block is the sum of the net value of each asset at the end of the financial year after reducing the depreciation.

Gross Block – Depreciation = Net Block

The Block of Assets comprises of the following types of assets:

• Tangible Assets – It includes the assets that exist in physical form such as land, building, furniture, car, plant & machinery, etc.
• Intangible Assets – It includes the assets that do not exist in physical form such as goodwill, patent, copyright, license, franchise, etc.

Calculation of Gross Block of Assets is as per the table below:

Conditions to claim Depreciation

The taxpayer must fulfill the following conditions to claim depreciation.

• The taxpayer should own the asset either wholly or partially
• The taxpayer should use the asset for the purpose of business or profession and not for personal purpose
• The asset should be actually used in the financial year
• Each co-owner can claim it to the extent of the asset owned by them

Depreciation Rate & Method of Calculation

The calculation of depreciation under the Income Tax Act is different than the Companies Act. In the case of a Company, it is calculated as per the prescribed rates and methods under the Companies Act, 2013. Thus, in the case of a Company, the depreciation as per the books of accounts would be different than the amount as per the Income Tax Return.

Methods to calculate depreciation are mentioned below:

As Per the Companies Act 2013

• Unit of production method
• Written-down value method
• Straight-line method

As Per the Income Tax Act 1961

• Written-down value method (based on the block of assets)
• Straight-line method for units generating power

The rate of depreciation for different blocks of assets is prescribed under the Income Tax Act.

• If the asset is used for 180 days or more during the financial year, calculate using the full rate.
• If the asset is used for less than 180 days during the financial year, calculate using half rate.

Interest paid on money borrowed for buying a capital asset should be added to the cost of the asset till the time the asset is put to use. Once the asset is put to use, the taxpayer can claim the interest as revenue expenditure.

Income Tax Depreciation Rates for AY 2019-20

The Income Tax Department has prescribed rates as on the incometaxindia.gov.in. These rates are applicable AY 2003-04 onwards. You can refer to the rates as prescribed by the Income Tax Department here – Income Tax Depreciation Rates.

Additional Depreciation

In addition to the normal depreciation, you can also claim Additional Depreciation at the rate 20% if the following conditions are satisfied:

• The taxpayer is in the manufacturing business
• There is a purchase of new plant or machinery installed after 31st March, 2005

The rate of additional depreciation would be 20% of the actual cost if the asset is used for 180 days or more. If the asset is used for less than 180 days, the rate would be 10%.

Example for Depreciation Calculation

Shaurya is in the business of manufacturing. Here is the data of the capital assets of his business.

Solution

Block of Assets