Useful life is expressed in terms of use expected from the asset under the

Useful life is the estimated period for which the asset is expected to be functional and can be used for the company’s core operations and serves as an important input for calculating depreciation for assets which affects the profitability and carrying value of the assets.

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How to Determine?

It estimates a period until which the asset can be put to use, and it contributes to generating revenue. The following are the factors considered in determining it –

• Usage of the Asset – If the usage of the asset is more, then the useful life of the asset will reduce due to wear and tear, and it will deteriorate rapidly.
• A newly procured asset will last longer than an already used asset since the same is already being put to use.
• When there are technological advancements, the asset will become obsolete as the same will no longer match the requirements of the current market.
• Any legal restriction or any limits for the usage of the asset;
• The asset may last longer than its estimated useful life, but the cost of maintenance of assets will considerably go high after a point in time. Over time the asset may become obsolete, and significant repairs can happen. It is determined based on how long the asset can be used before replacement.

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Source: Useful Life (wallstreetmojo.com)

Useful Life of Equipment

Every asset has its period of usability, after which it cannot be put to use, or it will be obsolete. The useful life of assets will vary according to their nature, usage of the asset, company’s replacement policy, etc.

There are estimations available based on the nature of the asset provided by the accounting body. Therefore, the company can adopt the same for their assets or make their assessment based on the proper asset valuation.

Impact on Depreciation

• Useful life is the estimated life of a depreciable asset until it can be used for revenue-generating operations. It directly impacts depreciation expense as depreciation is calculated based on years of assets life. More it is, the less the depreciation will be and vice versa.
• Any change in it will alter the depreciationDepreciationDepreciation is a systematic allocation method used to account for the costs of any physical or tangible asset throughout its useful life. Its value indicates how much of an asset’s worth has been utilized. Depreciation enables companies to generate revenue from their assets while only charging a fraction of the cost of the asset in use each year. read more expense, and it will impact the profitability of the business. If depreciationDepreciationDepreciation is a systematic allocation method used to account for the costs of any physical or tangible asset throughout its useful life. Its value indicates how much of an asset’s worth has been utilized. Depreciation enables companies to generate revenue from their assets while only charging a fraction of the cost of the asset in use each year. read more is more, the profitabilityProfitabilityProfitability refers to a company's ability to generate revenue and maximize profit above its expenditure and operational costs. It is measured using specific ratios such as gross profit margin, EBITDA, and net profit margin. It aids investors in analyzing the company's performance.read more will reduce. However, depreciation is a non-cash expenditureNon-cash ExpenditureNon-cash expenses are those expenses recorded in the firm's income statement for the period under consideration; such costs are not paid or dealt with in cash by the firm. It involves expenses such as depreciation.read more, so the same will affect the business’s cash flow.
• Depreciation will be considered only when the asset’s life is more than a year. E.g., building, vehicles, etc. When an asset is procured, the entire cost is not expensed off as the same is capitalized, and it is depreciated over its useful life.

Examples of Useful Life

Below are the examples to understand the concept in a better manner –

E.g., .#1

X Corp purchased a vehicle to transport its goods from its factory to the warehouse. The cost of the vehicle is $55,000, its expected useful life is ten years, and the salvage value is $5,000.

Solution

Calculation of depreciation will be as follows,

Depreciation under straight-line methodDepreciation Under Straight-line MethodStraight Line Depreciation Method is one of the most popular methods of depreciation where the asset uniformly depreciates over its useful life and the cost of the asset is evenly spread over its useful and functional life. read more = (Cost of the asset – salvage value)/ Useful life

• = ($55,000 -$5,000)/10
• = $5,000 per annum

So the impact of profitability on account of depreciation is $5,000 Per annum.

E.g., .#2

In case the company estimates the vehicle’s useful life as 12 years with the same salvage value. So the revised depreciation calculation will be as follows:

Solution

Calculation of depreciation will be as follows,

Depreciation under straight-line method = ($55,000 – $5,000)/ 12

• Depreciation = $4,167 per annum.

So the impact on profitability will be $4,167 Per annum. So there is an improvement in profitability to $833 per annum.

Change in an asset’s life or any revision is done prospectively and reported no of earlier years need not be changed. The prior period reported values need not be changed as it is not an accounting errorAccounting ErrorAccounting errors refer to the typical mistakes made unintentionally while recording and posting accounting entries. These mistakes should not be considered fraudulent behaviour first-hand as this can happen with anyone and by anyone.read more, and it is an estimation; change in it is an inherent element.

E.g., #3

Suppose the revision of its useful life is done at the end of the 5th year, in the above case. The depreciation is already provided for five years as per 10 yrs. The depreciation provided is $25,000 ($5,000 Per Annum* 5 yrs). The book value of a vehicle will be $30,000 since life is revised as 12 years (i.e.) another 7 yrs instead of 5 yrs.

Solution

Calculation of depreciation will be as follows –

Depreciation = (Historical cost of the asset – Accumulated depreciationAccumulated DepreciationThe accumulated depreciation of an asset is the amount of cumulative depreciation charged on the asset from its purchase date until the reporting date. It is a contra-account, the difference between the asset's purchase price and its carrying value on the balance sheet.read more – Salvage value)/ Remaining useful life

• = ($55,000 – $25,000 – $5000)/7
• = $3571 per annum.

The above depreciation is a non-cash expenditure, the cash outflow happens at the time of purchase of a vehicle, and there won’t be any yearly impact.

It is an allowable expense for tax depreciation, but the method of computation of depreciation is an accelerated methodDepreciation Is An Accelerated MethodAccelerated depreciation is a way of depreciating assets at a faster rate than the straight-line method, resulting in higher depreciation expenses in the early years of the asset's useful life than in the later years. The assumption that assets are more productive in the early years than in later years is the main motivation for using this method. read more.

Difference Between Useful and Physical Life

• Useful life is the period until which an asset is effectively used in operations. In contrast, physical life is the period until the asset will be in physical form and after which it has no salvage valueSalvage ValueSalvage value or scrap value is the estimated value of an asset after its useful life is over. For example, if a company's machinery has a 5-year life and is only valued $5000 at the end of that time, the salvage value is $5000.read more.
• The asset’s physical life can only be known after its life ends, whereas useful life will be determined even before the asset is put to use based on its usage, nature, and other factors. There can be many factors that make an asset unusable economically, but it will be physically available.

Conclusion

Useful life is an estimation and the actual life of the asset, maybe even more, or it can be less. It has to be considered after proper evaluation and considering all the factors. It is regarded as a critical element in asset recording and valuation as the depreciation and carrying value of the assetCarrying Value Of The AssetCarrying value is the book value of assets in a company's balance sheet, computed as the original cost less accumulated depreciation/impairments. It is calculated for intangible assets as the actual cost less amortization expense/impairments.read more depends on it, and it has a direct impact on profitability. It can always be revised considering the present technology, obsolete assets, higher usage, etc.

Recommended Articles

This article has guided the Useful Life of an Asset and its definition. Here we discuss the useful life of the equipment, its impact on depreciation along with examples, and its differences from physical life. You may learn more about financing from the following articles –

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