

Depreciation Chapter of Class 11 Accountancy: Depreciation is the gradual reduction in the value of tangible fixed assets over time due to wear and tear, usage, obsolescence, or the passage of time. For students of Class 11 Accountancy, understanding depreciation is crucial as it forms a high-scoring portion of the syllabus and lays the foundation for advanced accounting concepts in Class 12 and professional studies.
Depreciation is different from amortization (used for intangible assets like patents and goodwill) and depletion (used for natural resources such as minerals or coal). Its correct calculation ensures that profit and asset valuation in financial statements are realistic and reliable.
Depreciation is the reduction in the value of a tangible fixed asset over time due to usage, wear and tear, passage of time, or technological obsolescence. It helps businesses account for the declining worth of assets like machinery, vehicles, or buildings in their financial records. Depreciation ensures accurate profit calculation by spreading the asset’s cost over its useful life. It also aids in proper asset management, taxation, and financial reporting, making it an essential concept in accounting for Class 11 students.
Mentioned here are two methods following which one can calculate Methods of Depreciation Class 11. Check the formulas below for seamless calculation:
The Straight Line Method charges the same amount of depreciation every year. It is simple and easy to calculate. This method is based on the idea that the asset loses equal value each year.
Formula:
Example:
A machine costs ₹50,000 and its scrap value is ₹5,000. Its useful life is 5 years.
Key Points:
Depreciation expense remains constant every year.
It is easy to calculate and record in accounts.
May not reflect actual usage of the asset in early years.
The Written Down Value Method charges depreciation on the book value of the asset at the beginning of each year. This means the depreciation decreases over time as the asset ages.
Formula:
Depreciation (WDV)=Book Value at Beginning of Year×Depreciation Rate (%)
Example:
A machine costs ₹50,000 with a depreciation rate of 10%.
First-year depreciation = ₹50,000 × 10% = ₹5,000
Book value at the start of second year = ₹50,000 – ₹5,000 = ₹45,000
Second-year depreciation = ₹45,000 × 10% = ₹4,500
Key Points:
Depreciation expense reduces over the asset's life.
Often preferred for tax purposes and reflects actual usage.
Slightly more complex to calculate than SLM.
The table below carries the key differences between SLM and WDV:
| Aspect | Straight Line Method (SLM) | Written Down Value Method (WDV) | 
| Definition | Depreciation is charged at a fixed amount each year based on the original cost of the asset. | Depreciation is charged on the book value of the asset at the beginning of each year, reducing over time. | 
| Depreciation Amount | Fixed every year | Decreases each year as book value reduces | 
| Book Value Over Time | Decreases uniformly | Decreases rapidly in initial years and slowly later | 
| Assumption | Asset loses value uniformly over its useful life | Asset loses more value in the early years due to higher usage or obsolescence | 
| Complexity | Simple to calculate and maintain | Slightly more complex due to changing book value each year | 
| Use Case | Suitable when asset usage is uniform | Suitable when asset usage is higher in the initial years | 
| Tax Advantage | Less preferred for tax purposes | Often preferred for tax purposes as it aligns with actual usage | 
| Practical Examples | Buildings, furniture, vehicles (used uniformly) | Machinery, computers, vehicles (used heavily in early years) | 
| Journal Entry | Depreciation A/C DrTo Asset A/C | Depreciation A/C DrTo Provision for Depreciation A/C | 
Listed here are some of the questions with solutions for the Depreciation chapter:
Question:
On April 01, 2010, Bajrang Marbles purchased a machine for ₹1,80,000 and spent ₹10,000 on its carriage and ₹10,000 on installation. The machine’s estimated working life is 10 years, and scrap value is ₹20,000.
(a) Prepare Machine Account and Depreciation Account for the first four years by providing depreciation on Straight Line Method (SLM). Accounts are closed on March 31 every year.
(b) Prepare Machine Account, Depreciation Account, and Provision for Depreciation Account for the first four years using SLM.
Solution:
Step 1: Calculate Depreciation
Depreciable Cost = Cost of Machine + Carriage + Installation – Scrap Value
Depreciable Cost = 1,80,000 + 10,000 + 10,000 – 20,000 = 1,80,000
Annual Depreciation = Depreciable Cost ÷ Useful Life = 1,80,000 ÷ 10 = 18,000
Step 2: Machine Account (SLM)
| Date | Particulars | Debit ₹ | Date | Particulars | Credit ₹ | 
| 01-Apr-2010 | Bank A/C | 2,00,000 | 31-Mar-2011 | Depreciation A/C | 18,000 | 
| 31-Mar-2012 | Depreciation A/C | 18,000 | |||
| 31-Mar-2013 | Depreciation A/C | 18,000 | |||
| 31-Mar-2014 | Depreciation A/C | 18,000 | 
Balance (31-Mar-2014): ₹1,28,000
Step 3: Depreciation Account
| Date | Particulars | Debit ₹ | Date | Particulars | Credit ₹ | 
| 31-Mar-2011 | Machine A/C | 18,000 | 31-Mar-2011 | Profit & Loss A/C | 18,000 | 
| 31-Mar-2012 | Machine A/C | 18,000 | 31-Mar-2012 | Profit & Loss A/C | 18,000 | 
| 31-Mar-2013 | Machine A/C | 18,000 | 31-Mar-2013 | Profit & Loss A/C | 18,000 | 
| 31-Mar-2014 | Machine A/C | 18,000 | 31-Mar-2014 | Profit & Loss A/C | 18,000 | 
Step 4: Provision for Depreciation Account
| Date | Particulars | Debit ₹ | Date | Particulars | Credit ₹ | 
| 31-Mar-2011 | P/L A/C | 18,000 | 31-Mar-2011 | Machine A/C | 18,000 | 
| 31-Mar-2012 | P/L A/C | 18,000 | 31-Mar-2012 | Machine A/C | 18,000 | 
| 31-Mar-2013 | P/L A/C | 18,000 | 31-Mar-2013 | Machine A/C | 18,000 | 
| 31-Mar-2014 | P/L A/C | 18,000 | 31-Mar-2014 | Machine A/C | 18,000 | 
Balance (Provision): ₹72,000
Question:
On July 01, 2010, Ashok Ltd purchased a machine for ₹1,08,000 and spent ₹12,000 on installation. Life = 12 years, salvage value = ₹12,000. Prepare Machine Account and Depreciation Account for the first three years using SLM. Accounts are closed on December 31 each year.
Solution:
Step 1: Depreciation Calculation
Cost of Machine = 1,08,000 + 12,000 = 1,20,000
Depreciable Cost = 1,20,000 – 12,000 = 1,08,000
Annual Depreciation = 1,08,000 ÷ 12 = 9,000
Step 2: Machine Account (SLM)
| Date | Particulars | Debit ₹ | Date | Particulars | Credit ₹ | 
| 01-Jul-2010 | Bank A/C | 1,20,000 | 31-Dec-2010 | Depreciation A/C | 4,500 | 
| 31-Dec-2011 | Depreciation A/C | 9,000 | 31-Dec-2011 | P/L A/C | 9,000 | 
| 31-Dec-2012 | Depreciation A/C | 9,000 | 31-Dec-2012 | P/L A/C | 9,000 | 
Balance on 01-Jan-2013 = ₹97,500
Question:
Reliance Ltd purchased a second-hand machine for ₹56,000 on Oct 01, 2011, and spent ₹28,000 on overhaul and installation. Salvage value = ₹6,000; estimated cost to recover scrap = ₹1,000; useful life = 15 years. Prepare Machine Account and Provision for Depreciation Account for first three years using SLM.
Solution:
Step 1: Depreciable Cost
Cost of Machine = 56,000 + 28,000 = 84,000
Net Scrap Value = 6,000 – 1,000 = 5,000
Depreciable Cost = 84,000 – 5,000 = 79,000
Annual Depreciation = 79,000 ÷ 15 ≈ 5,267
Balance of Provision for Depreciation (31-Mar-2015) = ₹18,200
Question:
Machine purchased on July 01, 2015: ₹56,000 + ₹24,000 repair + ₹5,000 carriage
Another machine on Sep 01, 2016: ₹2,50,000 + ₹10,000 installation
Depreciation = 10% p.a.
(a) On Original Cost Method (OCM)
(b) On Written Down Value Method (WDV)
Balances as on 01-Jan-2019:
OCM: ₹2,54,583
WDV: ₹2,62,448
Question:
Machine 1 (01-Jan-2014): ₹5,50,000 + ₹50,000 installation
Machine 2 (01-Sep-2014): ₹3,70,000
Machine 3 (01-May-2015): ₹8,40,000 (including installation)
Depreciation = 10% p.a. on Original Cost Method.
(a) Prepare Machine and Depreciation Accounts 2014–2017
(b) Prepare Machine and Provision for Depreciation Accounts 2014–2017
Balances:
Machine Account 01-Jan-2015: ₹12,22,666
Provision for Depreciation 01-Jan-2015: ₹5,87,334