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Machine depreciation calculator

Enter the machine cost, salvage value, useful life and usage to see each year’s depreciation by the method chosen, book value, depreciation cost per hour and the comparison with MACRS tax depreciation.

Pre-sizing and estimating tool: results do not replace design, calculations or reports signed by a licensed professional, nor verification against the applicable codes and standards.

Preliminary estimateRevised 11/02/2026
Asset

With no list below, every year uses the productive hours from "Machine use". For uneven use, type each year’s hours (or units).

Tax depreciation (for comparison)
Machine use

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—Depreciation in year 1
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Book value year by year

What the asset is still worth on the books at the end of each year, by the chosen method (thick line), the other methods and the tax rule.

Tap the chart to see the values.

Annual charge: book vs. tax

Bars: each year’s charge by the chosen method and by the tax rule. Line: depreciation cost per productive hour.

Tap the chart to see the values.

Depreciation schedule

Charge, accumulated depreciation and book value at year end; cost per productive hour and, alongside, the tax charge and tax basis.

Next step

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The calculation report gathers this page's inputs, results, equations, assumptions and references, with fields for project, engineer and revision. The full report also includes the charts and interpretations, in color. In the print dialog, choose Save as PDF.

Method, assumptions and references

Equations used

Straight-line: Dₖ = (C − S) ÷ N; SYD: Dₖ = (C − S)·(N − k + 1) ÷ [N·(N + 1)/2]
Declining balance: Dₖ = BVₖ₋₁ · f/N, switching to max(BVₖ₋₁·f/N; (BVₖ₋₁ − S)/(N − k + 1)); last year closes at S
Units of production: Dₖ = (C − S) · hoursₖ ÷ total life in hours
MACRS (GDS): year 1 = C · (m/N) · ½; then max(BV · m/N; BV ÷ remaining life), m = 2 (1.5 for 15- and 20-year property); salvage ignored
Cost per hour = Dₖ ÷ (shifts × hours per shift × days × availability)

Assumptions and limits

  • Whole years for book depreciation, no mid-year start; a single life and salvage value, no revaluation or impairment. Book depreciation (costing and GAAP) uses the economic life; tax depreciation follows MACRS with the half-year convention.
  • Regular MACRS only: no bonus depreciation, Section 179, mid-quarter convention or ADS.

Standards and technical documents

  • CPC 27 / IAS 16 — Ativo imobilizado (Property, Plant and Equipment): vida útil, valor residual e método de depreciação
  • IRS Publication 946, How to Depreciate Property — Table A-1 (MACRS half-year convention)
  • Martins, E. Contabilidade de Custos. Atlas
  • Horngren, C. T.; Datar, S. M.; Rajan, M. V. Cost Accounting: A Managerial Emphasis. Pearson
  • Iudícibus, S. et al. Manual de Contabilidade Societária (FIPECAFI). Atlas

U.S. regulations

  • 26 U.S.C. § 168 (MACRS) and IRS Publication 946
  • 26 U.S.C. § 179: election to expense certain depreciable business assets
  • ASC 360 (FASB): Property, Plant and Equipment — book depreciation

Frequently asked questions

What is machine depreciation?

It is the loss of value of equipment through use, age and obsolescence, charged as a cost over its useful life. A $200,000 machine worth $20,000 after 10 years generates $180,000 of depreciation cost over that period. That cost goes into the machine hour rate, product pricing and, under tax rules, the income tax return.

How do I read the example result?

With straight-line depreciation the example machine is charged $18,000 a year for 10 years. On 2 eight-hour shifts, 250 days and 85% availability, it runs 3,400 productive hours a year, so depreciation adds $5.29 per machine hour. At the end of year 5 its book value is $110,000.

Which method should I use for costing?

Straight-line is the most common for costing and quotes and is easy to explain. Sum-of-the-years’ digits and double declining balance front-load the cost and track the fast early drop in used-equipment prices. Units of production is best when the machine runs unevenly, for example seasonal work. GAAP (ASC 360) asks for the method that reflects how the asset’s benefits are consumed.

How does MACRS work for manufacturing equipment?

Under IRS Publication 946, most manufacturing machinery is 7-year property under the General Depreciation System: 200% declining balance with a half-year convention, switching to straight-line, and no salvage value. The rates are 14.29%, 24.49%, 17.49%, 12.49%, 8.93%, 8.92%, 8.93% and 4.46% over 8 tax years. In the example, year 1 deducts $28,571.

What about bonus depreciation and Section 179?

They let a business deduct much more in the first year. For qualified property acquired after January 19, 2025, 100% bonus depreciation applies, and Section 179 expensing has a $2.5 million limit with a phase-out. This calculator shows regular MACRS only; elections, limits and state conformity should be checked with a tax adviser.

Why is book depreciation different from tax depreciation?

Books aim to match cost to the years the machine is used, over its real economic life. Tax rules aim at a simple, uniform deduction schedule, often faster. The total deducted is the same; the timing differs, and the gap is recorded as a deferred tax item. For pricing, use the economic life, not the MACRS class.

What are the limits of this calculator?

It works in whole years for book depreciation (no mid-year start), uses one useful life and one salvage value, and does not cover impairment, revaluation, mid-quarter convention, ADS or listed-property limits. Defaults are illustrative; confirm classes and elections with your accountant.