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Double Declining Balance Depreciation Schedule Calculator

What do the numbers come to once the work is shown?

Year-by-year double declining balance depreciation that stops at salvage value, with an option to switch to straight-line, and a comparison with straight-line.

  • Runs in your browser
  • Nothing stored or sent
  • Free, no sign-up
Your figures
Example figuresIllustrative only. Type over them with your own.
Depreciation for the year shown
$7,200
Expense under double declining balance
Accumulated depreciation
$39,200
Book value at year end
$10,800
Drawn to one scale
Depreciation for the year shown$7,200
Accumulated depreciation$39,200
Book value at year end$10,800
Straight-line expense per year, for comparison$9,000
All results
MeasureResult
Depreciation for the year shown$7,200
Accumulated depreciation$39,200
Book value at year end$10,800
Double declining rate40.00%
Straight-line expense per year, for comparison$9,000
How this was worked out
Work shownrecomputed as you type
Rate = 2 / useful life
Expense in year t = book value at start of year x rate
Expense is cut so book value never falls below salvage value, and the final year takes whatever remains above salvage
Optional switch: use (book value - salvage) / remaining years when that is larger

Illustrative arithmetic on the figures you enter. Check the result against your firm's methodology before relying on it.

The formulas

  • Rate = 2 / useful life
  • Expense in year t = book value at start of year x rate
  • Expense is cut so book value never falls below salvage value, and the final year takes whatever remains above salvage
  • Optional switch: use (book value - salvage) / remaining years when that is larger

How it works

Double declining balance applies twice the straight-line rate to the book value at the start of each year. Salvage value is not subtracted when the rate is applied, so expense is heavy in early years and falls every year.

The schedule never goes below salvage value. In the final year the charge is the amount still above salvage, so it can differ from the formula result (smaller when the cap bites earlier, larger when the declining balance would otherwise leave book value above salvage). Some preparers switch to straight-line in the year it would give a larger charge. Choose the switch option to see that version. Book depreciation policy is set by the entity, so check it against your accounting policy memo.

Illustrative figures only. Check the result against your firm's methodology before relying on it.

Common questions

Is salvage value ignored?

It is ignored when the rate is applied, but expense stops once book value reaches salvage and the asset is brought to salvage by the end of its life.

Why can the last year differ from the formula?

The final charge is the amount still above salvage. It is capped when book value is close to salvage and is the plug when the declining balance has not yet reached salvage.

Does this match tax depreciation?

No. Tax depreciation follows MACRS tables. This tool is for book depreciation.

Formulas on this page are the standard definitions.

Runs in your browser. The figures you type are not sent to CORAA or stored. Check the result against your firm's methodology before relying on it.

Related audit calculators

CalculatorUnits of Production Depreciation CalculatorDepreciation per unit and for the period from cost, salvage, total expected units and units used, capped at the remaining depreciable base.CalculatorSum-of-the-Years-Digits Depreciation CalculatorSum-of-the-years-digits expense for any year, accumulated depreciation and book value from cost, salvage and useful life.CalculatorPartial-Year Straight-Line Depreciation CalculatorFirst-year, full-year and final-year straight-line expense when an asset enters service mid-year, using a monthly convention.
For US CPA firms

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