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Sec. 1.167(b)-3 Sum of the years-digits method.

(a) Applied to a single asset.

(1) General rule.

Under the sum of the years-digits method annual allowances for depreciation are computed by applying changing fractions to the cost or other basis of the property reduced by estimated salvage. The numerator of the fraction changes each year to a number which corresponds to the remaining useful life of the asset (including the year for which the allowance is being computed), and the denominator which remains constant is the sum of all the years digits corresponding to the estimated useful life of the asset. See section 167(c) and section 1.167(c)-1 for restrictions on the use of the sum of the years-digits method.

(i) Illustrations.

Computation of depreciation allowances on a single asset under the sum of the years-digits method is illustrated by the following examples:

Example (1). A new asset having an estimated useful life of five years was acquired on January 1, 1954, for $1,750. The estimated salvage is $250. For a taxpayer filing his returns on a calendar year basis, the annual depreciation allowances are as follows:

Year

Cost or other basis less salvage

Fraction 1

Allowable depreciation

Depreciation reserve

1954

$1,500

5/15

$500

$500

1955

1,500

4/15

400

900

1956

1,500

3/15

300

1,200

1957

1,500

2/15

200

1,400

1958

1,500

1/15

100

1,500

Unrecovered value (salvage)

 

 

 

$250

1 The denominator of the fraction is the sum of the digits representing the years of useful life, i.e., 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1, or 15.

Example (2). Assume in connection with an asset acquired in 1954 that three-fourths of a year's depreciation is allowable in that year. The following illustrates a reasonable method of allocating depreciation:

 

Depreciation for 12 months

Allowable depreciation

1954

1955

1956

1st year

$500

(3/4) $375

(1/4) $125

 

2d year

400

 

(3/4) 300

(1/4) $100

3d year

300

 

 

(3/4) 225

Total

 

375

425

325

(ii) Change in useful life.

Where in the case of a single asset, a change is justified in the useful life, subsequent computations shall be made as though the remaining useful life at the beginning of the taxable year of change were the useful life of a new asset acquired at such time and with a basis equal to the unrecovered cost or other basis of the asset at that time. For example, assume that a new asset with an estimated useful life of ten years is purchased in 1954. At the time of making out his return for 1959, the taxpayer finds that the asset has a remaining useful life of seven years from January 1, 1959. Depreciation for 1959 should then be computed as though 1959 were the first year of the life of an asset estimated to have a useful life of seven years, and the allowance for 1959 would be 7/28 of the unrecovered cost or other basis of the asset after adjustment for salvage.

(2) Remaining life.

(i) Application.

Under the sum of the years-digits method, annual allowances for depreciation may also be computed by applying changing fractions to the unrecovered cost or other basis of the asset reduced by estimated salvage. The numerator of the fraction changes each year to a number which corresponds to the remaining useful life of the asset (including the year for which the allowance is being computed), and the denominator changes each year to a number which represents the sum of the digits corresponding to the years of estimated remaining useful life of the asset. For decimal equivalents of such fractions, see Table I of subdivision (ii) of this subparagraph. For example, a new asset with an estimated useful life of 10 years is purchased January 1, 1954, for $6,000. Assuming a salvage value of $500, the depreciation allowance for 1954 is $1,000 ($5,500 x 0.1818, the applicable rate from Table I). For 1955, the unrecovered balance is $4,500, and the remaining life is 9 years. The depreciation allowance for 1955 would then be $900 ($4,500 x 0.2000, the applicable rate from Table I).

(ii) Table I.

This table shows decimal equivalents of sum of the years-digits fractions corresponding to remaining lives from 1 to 100 years.

Table I--Decimal Equivalents for Use of Sum of the Years-Digits Method, Based on Remaining Life

Remaining life (years)

Decimal equivalent

100.0

0.0198

99.9

.0198

99.8

.0198

99.7

.0199

99.6

.0199

99.5

.0199

99.4

.0199

99.3

.0199

99.2

.0200

99.1

.0200

99.0

.0200

98.9

.0200

98.8

.0200

98.7

.0201

98.6

.0201

98.5

.0201

98.4

.0201

98.3

.0201

98.2

.0202

98.1

.0202

98.0

.0202

97.9

.0202

97.8

.0202

97.7

.0203

97.6

.0203

97.5

.0203

97.4

.0203

97.3

.0203

97.2

.0204

97.1

.0204

97.0

.0204

96.9

.0204

96.8

.0204

96.7

.0205

96.6

.0205

96.5

.0205

96.4

.0205

96.3

.0206

96.2

.0206

96.1

.0206

96.0

.0206

95.9

.0206

95.8

.0207

95.7

.0207

95.6

.0207

95.5

.0207

95.4

.0207

95.3

.0208

95.2

.0208

95.1

.0208

95.0

.0208

94.9

.0209

94.8

.0209

94.7

.0209

94.6

.0209

94.5

.0209

94.4

.0210

94.3

.0210

94.2

.0210

94.1

.0210

94.0

.0211

93.9

.0211

93.8

.0211

93.7

.0211

93.6

.0211

93.5

.0212

93.4

.0212

93.3

.0212

93.2

.0212

93.1

.0213

93.0

.0213

92.9

.0213

92.8

.0213

92.7

.0213

92.6

.0214

92.5

.0214

92.4

.0214

92.3

.0214

92.2

.0215

92.1

.0215

92.0

.0215

91.9

.0215

91.8

.0216

91.7

.0216

91.6

.0216

91.5

.0216

91.4

.0216

91.3

.0217

91.2

.0217

91.1

.0217

91.0

.0217

90.9

.0218

90.8

.0218

90.7

.0218

90.6

.0218

90.5

.0219

90.4

.0219

90.3

.0219

90.2

.0219

90.1

.0220

90.0

.0220

89.9

.0220

89.8

.0220

89.7

.0221

89.6

.0221

89.5

.0221

89.4

.0221

89.3

.0221

89.2

.0222

89.1

.0222

89.0

.0222

88.9

.0222

88.8

.0223

88.7

.0223

88.6

.0223

88.5

.0223

88.4

.0224

88.3

.0224

88.2

.0224

88.1

.0224

88.0

.0225

87.9

.0225

87.8

.0225

87.7

.0225

87.6

.0226

87.5

.0226

87.4

.0226

87.3

.0226

87.2

.0227

87.1

.0227

87.0

.0227

86.9

.0228

86.8

.0228

86.7

.0228

86.6

.0228

86.5

.0229

86.4

.0229

86.3

.0229

86.2

.0229

86.1

.0230

86.0

.0230

85.9

.0230

85.8

.0230

85.7

.0231

85.6

.0231

85.5

.0231

85.4

.0231

85.3

.0232

85.2

.0232

85.1

.0232

85.0

.0233

84.9

.0233

84.8

.0233

84.7

.0233

84.6

.0234

84.5

.0234

84.4

.0234

84.3

.0234

84.2

.0235

84.1

.0235

84.0

.0235

83.9

.0236

83.8

.0236

83.7

.0236

83.6

.0236

83.5

.0237

83.4

.0237

83.3

.0237

83.2

.0238

83.1

.0238

83.0

.0238

82.9

.0238

82.8

.0239

82.7

.0239

82.6

.0239

82.5

.0240

82.4

.0240

82.3

.0240

82.2

.0240

82.1

.0241

82.0

.0241

81.9

.0241

81.8

.0242

81.7

.0242

81.6

.0242

81.5

.0242

81.4

.0243

81.3

.0243

81.2

.0243

81.1

.0244

81.0

.0244

80.9

.0244

80.8

.0244

80.7

.0245

80.6

.0245

80.5

.0245

80.4

.0246

80.3

.0246

80.2

.0246

80.1

.0247

80.0

.0247

79.9

.0247

79.8

.0248

79.7

.0248

79.6

.0248

79.5

.0248

79.4

.0249

79.3

.0249

79.2

.0249

79.1

.0250

79.0

.0250

78.9

.0250

78.8

.0251

78.7

.0251

78.6

.0251

78.5

.0252

78.4

.0252

78.3

.0252

78.2

.0253

78.1

.0253

78.0

.0253

77.9

.0253

77.8

.0254

77.7

.0254

77.6

.0254

77.5

.0255

77.4

.0255

77.3

.0255

77.2

.0256

77.1

.0256

77.9

.0253

77.8

.0254

77.7

.0254

77.6

.0254

77.5

.0255

77.4

.0255

77.3

.0255

77.2

.0256

77.1

.0256

77.0

.0256

76.9

.0257

76.8

.0257

76.7

.0257

76.6

.0258

76.5

.0258

76.4

.0258

76.3

.0259

76.2

.0259

76.1

.0259

76.0

.0260

75.9

.0260

75.8

.0260

75.7

.0261

75.6

.0261

75.5

.0261

75.4

.0262

75.3

.0262

75.2

.0262

75.1

.0263

74.9

.0264

74.8

.0264

74.7

.0264

74.6

.0265

74.5

.0265

74.4

.0265

74.3

.0266

74.2

.0266

74.1

.0266

74.0

.0267

73.9

.0267

73.8

.0267

73.7

.0268

73.6

.0268

73.5

.0268

73.4

.0269

73.3

.0269

73.2

.0270

73.1

.0270

73.0

.0270

72.9

.0271

72.8

.0271

72.7

.0271

72.6

.0272

72.5

.0272

72.4

.0272

72.3

.0273

72.2

.0273

72.1

.0274

72.0

.0274

71.9

.0274

71.8

.0275

71.7

.0275

71.6

.0275

71.5

.0276

71.4

.0276

71.3

.0277

71.2

.0277

71.1

.0277

71.0

.0278

70.9

.0278

70.8

.0279

70.7

.0279

70.6

.0279

70.5

.0280

70.4

.0280

70.3

.0280

70.2

.0281

70.1

.0281

70.0

.0282

69.9

.0282

69.8

.0282

69.7

.0283

69.6

.0283

69.5

.0284

69.4

.0284

69.3

.0284

69.2

.0285

69.1

.0285

69.0

.0286

68.9

.0286

68.8

.0287

68.7

.0287

68.6

.0287

68.5

.0288

68.4

.0288

68.3

.0289

68.2

.0289

68.1

.0289

68.0

.0290

67.9

.0290

67.8

.0291

67.7

.0291

67.6

.0292

67.5

.0292

67.4

.0292

67.3

.0293

67.2

.0293

67.1

.0294

67.0

.0294

66.9

.0295

66.8

.0295

66.7

.0295

66.6

.0296

66.5

.0296

66.4

.0297

66.3

.0297

66.2

.0298

66.1

.0298

66.0

.0299

65.9

.0299

65.8

.0299

65.7

.0300

65.6

.0300

65.5

.0301

65.4

.0301

65.3

.0302

65.2

.0302

65.1

.0303

65.0

.0303

64.9

.0303

64.8

.0304

64.7

.0304

64.6

.0305

64.5

.0305

64.4

.0306

64.3

.0306

64.2

.0307

64.1

.0307

64.0

.0308

63.9

.0308

63.8

.0309

63.7

.0309

63.6

.0310

63.5

.0310

63.4

.0311

63.3

.0311

63.2

.0312

63.1

.0312

63.0

.0313

62.9

.0313

62.8

.0313

62.7

.0314

62.6

.0314

62.5

.0315

62.4

.0315

62.3

.0316

62.2

.0316

62.1

.0317

62.0

.0317

61.9

.0318

61.8

.0318

61.7

.0319

61.6

.0319

61.5

.0320

61.4

.0320

61.3

.0321

61.2

.0322

61.1

.0322

61.0

.0323

60.9

.0323

60.8

.0324

60.7

.0324

60.6

.0325

60.5

.0325

60.4

.0326

60.3

.0326

60.2

.0327

60.1

.0327

60.0

.0328

59.9

.0328

59.8

.0329

59.7

.0329

59.6

.0330

59.5

.0331

59.4

.0331

59.3

.0332

59.2

.0332

59.1

.0333

59.0

.0333

58.9

.0334

58.8

.0334

58.7

.0335

58.6

.0336

58.5

.0336

58.4

.0337

58.3

.0337

58.2

.0338

58.1

.0338

58.0

.0339

57.9

.0340

57.8

.0340

57.7

.0341

57.6

.0341

57.5

.0342

57.4

.0342

57.3

.0343

57.2

.0344

57.1

.0344

57.0

.0345

56.9

.0345

56.8

.0346

56.7

.0347

56.6

.0347

56.5

.0348

56.4

.0348

56.3

.0349

56.2

.0350

56.1

.0350

56.0

.0351

55.9

.0351

55.8

.0352

55.7

.0353

55.6

.0353

55.5

.0354

55.4

.0355

55.3

.0355

55.2

.0356

55.1

.0356

55.0

.0357

54.9

.0358

54.8

.0358

54.7

.0359

54.6

.0360

54.5

.0360

54.4

.0361

54.3

.0362

54.2

.0362

54.1

.0363

54.0

.0364

53.9

.0364

53.8

.0365

53.7

.0366

53.6

.0366

53.5

.0367

53.4

.0368

53.3

.0368

53.2

.0369

53.1

.0370

53.0

.0370

52.9

.0371

52.8

.0372

52.7

.0372

52.6

.0373

52.5

.0374

52.4

.0374

52.3

.0375

52.2

.0376

52.1

.0377

52.0

.0377

51.9

.0378

51.8

.0379

51.7

.0379

51.6

.0380

51.5

.0381

51.4

.0382

51.3

.0382

51.2

.0383

51.1

.0384

51.0

.0385

50.9

.0385

50.8

.0386

50.7

.0387

50.6

.0388

50.5

.0388

50.4

.0389

50.3

.0390

50.2

.0391

50.1

.0391

50.0

.0392

49.9

.0393

49.8

.0394

49.7

.0394

49.6

.0395

49.5

.0396

49.4

.0397

49.3

.0398

49.2

.0398

49.1

.0399

49.0

.0400

48.9

.0401

48.8

.0402

48.7

.0402

48.6

.0403

48.5

.0404

48.4

.0405

48.3

.0406

48.2

.0406

48.1

.0407

48.0

.0408

47.9

.0409

47.8

.0410

47.7

.0411

47.6

.0411

47.5

.0412

47.4

.0413

47.3

.0414

47.2

.0415

47.1

.0416

47.0

.0417

46.9

.0418

46.8

.0418

46.7

.0419

46.6

.0420

46.5

.0421

46.4

.0422

46.3

.0423

46.2

.0424

46.1

.0425

46.0

.0426

45.9

.0426

45.8

.0427

45.7

.0428

45.6

.0429

45.5

.0430

45.4

.0431

45.3

.0432

45.2

.0433

45.1

.0434

45.0

.0435

44.9

.0436

44.8

.0437

44.7

.0438

44.6

.0439

44.5

.0440

44.4

.0440

44.3

.0441

44.2

.0442

44.1

.0443

44.0

.0444

43.9

.0445

43.8

.0446

43.7

.0447

43.6

.0448

43.5

.0449

43.4

.0450

43.3

.0451

43.2

.0452

43.1

.0453

43.0

.0455

42.9

.0456

42.8

.0457

42.7

.0458

42.6

.0459

42.5

.0460

42.4

.0461

42.3

.0462

42.2

.0463

42.1

.0464

42.0

.0465

41.9

.0466

41.8

.0467

41.7

.0468

41.6

.0469

41.5

.0471

41.4

.0472

41.3

.0473

41.2

.0474

41.1

.0475

41.0

.0476

40.9

.0477

40.8

.0478

40.7

.0480

40.6

.0481

40.5

.0482

40.4

.0483

40.3

.0484

40.2

.0485

40.1

.0487

40.0

.0488

39.9

.0489

39.8

.0490

39.7

.0491

39.6

.0493

39.5

.0494

39.4

.0495

39.3

.0496

39.2

.0497

39.1

.0499

39.0

.0500

38.9

.0501

38.8

.0502

38.7

.0504

38.6

.0505

38.5

.0506

38.4

.0508

38.3

.0509

38.2

.0510

38.1

.0511

38.0

.0513

37.9

.0514

37.8

.0515

37.7

.0517

37.6

.0518

37.5

.0519

37.4

.0521

37.3

.0522

37.2

.0524

37.1

.0525

37.0

.0526

36.9

.0528

36.8

.0529

36.7

.0530

36.6

.0532

36.5

.0533

36.4

.0525

36.3

.0536

36.2

.0538

36.1

.0539

36.0

.0541

35.9

.0542

35.8

.0543

35.7

.0545

35.6

.0546

35.5

.0548

35.4

.0549

35.3

.0551

35.2

.0552

35.1

.0554

35.0

.0556

34.9

.0557

34.8

.0559

34.7

.0560

34.6

.0562

34.5

.0563

34.4

.0565

34.3

.0566

34.2

.0566

34.1

.0570

34.0

.0571

33.9

.0573

33.8

.0575

33.7

.0576

33.6

.0578

33.5

.0580

33.4

.0581

33.3

.0583

33.2

.0585

33.1

.0586

33.0

.0588

32.9

.0590

32.8

.0592

32.7

.0593

32.6

.0595

32.5

.0597

32.4

.0599

32.3

.0600

32.2

.0602

32.1

.0604

32.0

.0606

31.9

.0608

31.8

.0610

31.7

.0611

31.6

.0613

31.5

.0615

31.4

.0617

31.3

.0619

31.2

.0621

31.1

.0623

31.0

.0625

30.9

.0627

30.8

.0629

30.7

.0631

30.6

.0633

30.5

.0635

30.4

.0637

30.3

.0639

30.2

.0641

30.1

.0643

30.0

.0645

29.9

.0647

29.8

.0649

29.7

.0651

29.6

.0653

29.5

.0656

29.4

.0658

29.3

.0660

29.2

.0662

29.1

.0664

29.0

.0667

28.9

.0669

28.8

.0671

28.7

.0673

28.6

.0675

28.5

.0678

28.4

.0680

28.3

.0682

28.2

.0685

28.1

.0687

28.0

.0690

27.9

.0692

27.8

.0694

27.7

.0697

27.6

.0699

27.5

.0702

27.4

.0704

27.3

.0707

27.2

.0709

27.1

.0712

27.0

.0714

26.9

.0717

26.8

.0719

26.7

.0722

26.6

.0724

26.5

.0727

26.4

.0730

26.3

.0732

26.2

.0735

26.1

.0738

26.0

.0741

25.9

.0743

25.8

.0746

25.7

.0749

25.6

.0752

25.5

.0754

25.4

.0757

25.3

.0760

25.2

.0763

25.1

.0766

25.0

.0769

24.9

.0772

24.8

.0775

24.7

.0778

24.6

.0781

24.5

.0784

24.4

.0787

24.3

.0790

24.2

.0793

24.1

.0797

24.0

.0800

23.9

.0803

23.8

.0806

23.7

.0809

23.6

.0813

23.5

.0816

23.4

.0819

23.3

.0823

23.2

.0826

23.1

.0830

23.0

.0833

22.9

.0837

22.8

.0840

22.7

.0844

22.6

.0847

22.5

.0851

22.4

.0854

22.3

.0858

22.2

.0862

22.1

.0866

22.0

.0870

21.9

.0873

21.8

.0877

21.7

.0881

21.6

.0885

21.5

.0888

21.4

.0892

21.3

.0896

21.2

.0901

21.1

.0905

21.0

.0909

20.9

.0913

20.8

.0917

20.7

.0921

20.6

.0925

20.5

.0930

20.4

.0934

20.3

.0939

20.2

.0943

20.1

.0948

20.0

.0952

19.9

.0957

19.8

.0961

19.7

.0966

19.6

.0970

19.5

.0975

19.4

.0980

19.3

.0985

19.2

.0990

19.1

.0995

19.0

.1000

18.9

.1005

18.8

.1010

18.7

.1015

18.6

.1020

18.5

.1025

18.4

.1030

18.3

.1036

18.2

.1041

18.1

.1047

18.0

.1053

17.9

.1058

17.8

.1063

17.7

.1069

17.6

.1074

17.5

.1080

17.4

.1086

17.3

.1092

17.2

.1098

17.1

.1105

17.0

.1111

16.9

.1117

16.8

.1123

16.7

.1129

16.6

.1135

16.5

.1142

16.4

.1148

16.3

.1155

16.2

.1162

16.1

.1169

16.0

.1176

15.9

.1183

15.8

.1190

15.7

.1197

15.6

.1204

15.5

.1211

15.4

.1218

15.3

.1226

15.2

.1234

15.1

.1242

15.0

.1250

14.9

.1257

14.8

.1265

14.7

.1273

14.6

.1281

14.5

.1289

14.4

.1297

14.3

.1306

14.2

.1315

14.1

.1324

14.0

.1333

13.9

.1342

13.8

.1350

13.7

.1359

13.6

.1368

13.5

.1378

13.4

.1387

13.3

.1397

13.2

.1407

13.1

.1418

13.0

.1429

12.9

.1438

12.8

.1448

12.7

.1458

12.6

.1469

12.5

.1479

12.4

.1490

12.3

.1502

12.2

.1514

12.1

.1526

12.0

.1538

11.9

.1549

11.8

.1561

11.7

.1573

11.6

.1585

11.5

.1597

11.4

.1610

11.3

.1624

11.2

.1637

11.1

.1652

11.0

.1667

10.9

.1680

10.8

.1693

10.7

.1707

10.6

.1721

10.5

.1736

10.4

.1751

10.3

.1767

10.2

.1783

10.1

.1800

10.0

.1818

9.9

.1833

9.8

.1849

9.7

.1865

9.6

.1882

9.5

.1900

9.4

.1918

9.3

.1938

9.2

.1957

9.1

.1978

9.0

.2000

8.9

.2018

8.8

.2037

8.7

.2057

8.6

.2077

8.5

.2099

8.4

.2121

8.3

.2145

8.2

.2169

8.1

.2195

8.0

.2222

7.9

.2244

7.8

.2267

7.7

.2292

7.6

.2317

7.5

.2344

7.4

.2372

7.3

.2401

7.2

.2432

7.1

.2465

7.0

.2500

6.9

.2527

6.8

.2556

6.7

.2587

6.6

.2619

6.5

.2653

6.4

.2689

6.3

.2727

6.2

.2768

6.1

.2811

6.0

.2857

5.9

.2892

5.8

.2929

5.7

.2969

5.6

.3011

5.5

.3056

5.4

.3103

5.3

.3155

5.2

.3210

5.1

.3269

5.0

.3333

4.9

.3379

4.8

.3429

4.7

.3481

4.6

.3538

4.5

.3600

4.4

.3667

4.3

.3739

4.2

.3818

4.1

.3905

4.0

.4000

3.9

.4063

3.8

.4130

3.7

.4205

3.6

.4286

3.5

.4375

3.4

.4474

3.3

.4583

3.2

.4706

3.1

.4844

3.0

.5000

2.9

.5088

2.8

.5185

2.7

.5294

2.6

.5417

2.5

.5556

2.4

.5714

2.3

.5897

2.2

.6111

2.1

.6364

2.0

.6667

1.9

.6786

1.8

.6923

1.7

.7083

1.6

.7273

1.5

.7500

1.4

.7778

1.3

.8125

1.2

.8571

1.1

.9167

1.0

1.0000

Note: For determination of decimal equivalents of remaining lives falling between those shown in the above table, the taxpayer may use the next longest life shown in the table, interpolate from the table, or use the following formula from which the table was derived.

D = 2R / (W + 2F)(W + 1)

where:
D = Decimal equivalent.
R = Remaining life.
W = Whole number of years in remaining life.
F = Fractional part of a year in remaining life.
If the taxpayer desires to carry his calculations of decimal equivalents to a greater number of decimal places than is provided in the table, he may use the formula. The procedure adopted must be consistently followed thereafter.

(b) Applied to group, classified, or composite accounts.

(1) General rule.

The sum of the years-digits method may be applied to group, classified, or composite accounts in accordance with the plan described in subparagraph (2) of this paragraph or in accordance with other plans as explained in subparagraph (3) of this paragraph.

(2) Remaining life plan.

The remaining life plan as applied to a single asset is described in paragraph (a)(2) of this section. This plan may also be applied to group, classified, or composite accounts. Under this plan the allowance for depreciation is computed by applying changing fractions to the unrecovered cost or other basis of the account reduced by estimated salvage. The numerator of the fraction changes each year to a number which corresponds to the remaining useful life of the account (including the year for which the allowance is being computed), and the denominator changes each year to a number which represents the sum of the years digits corresponding to the years of estimated remaining useful life of the account. Decimal equivalents of such fractions can be obtained by use of Table I under paragraph (a)(2)(ii) of this section. The proper application of this method requires that the estimated remaining useful life of the account be determined each year. This determination, of course, may be made each year by analysis, i.e., by determining the remaining lives for each of the components in the account, and averaging them. The estimated remaining life of any account, however, may also be determined arithmetically. For example, it may be computed by dividing the unrecovered cost or other basis of the account, as computed by straight line depreciation, by the gross cost or other basis of the account, and multiplying the result by the average life of the assets in the account. Salvage value is not a factor for the purpose of determining remaining life. Thus, if a group account with an average life of ten years had at January 1, 1958, a gross asset balance of $12,600 and a depreciation reserve computed on the straight line method of $9,450, the remaining life of the account at January 1, 1958, would be computed as follows:

$12,600 - $9,450 / $12,600 x 10 years equals 2.50 years.

Example. The use of the sum of the years-digits method with group, classified, or composite accounts under the remaining life plan is illustrated by the following example:

A calendar year taxpayer maintains a group account to which a five-year life is applicable. Original investment, additions, retirements, and salvage recoveries are the same as those set forth in example (3) of paragraph (b) of section 1.167(b)-1.

Table 1 of 3

Depreciation Computations on a Group Account Under Remaining Life Plan

 

1

2

3

4

5

Year

Asset balance Jan. 1

Current additions

Current retirements

Average asset balance

Straight line amount

Col. (4) ÷ life

1954

 

$12,000

 

$6,000

1 $1,200

1955

$12,000

 

 

12,000

2,400

1956

12,000

 

 

12,000

2,400

1957

12,000

 

$2,000

11,000

2,200

1958

10,000

 

2,000

9,000

1,800

1959

8,000

10,000

4,000

11,000

2,200

1960

14,000

 

2,000

13,000

2,600

1961

12,000

 

2,000

11,000

2,200

1962

 

 

 

 

 

1 1/2 year's amount.

Table 2 of 3

Depreciation Computations on a Group Account Under Remaining Life Plan

 

6

7

8

9

10

Year

Straight line reserve

Remaining life

Asset balance reduced by salvage

Current additions reduced by salvage

Salvage realized

Col. (5)− Col. (3) accumulated Jan. 1

[Col. (1)− Col. (6) ÷ Col. (1)] × average service life

Col. (1) × (100%− 6.67%)

Col (2) × (100%− 6.67%)

 

1954

 

5.00

 

$11,200

 

1955

$1,200

4.50

$11,200

 

 

1956

3,600

3.50

11,200

 

 

1957

6,000

2.50

11,200

 

$200

1958

6,200

1.90

9,333

 

200

1959

6,000

1.25

7,466

9,333

400

1960

4,200

3.50

13,066

 

 

1961

4,800

3.00

11,200

 

 

1962

5,000

 

 

 

 

Table 3 of 3

Depreciation Computations on a Group Account Under Remaining Life Plan

 

11

12

13

14

Sum of the years digits depreciation

Year

Accumulated reserve Jan. 1

Unrecovered Jan. 1

Rate based on Col. (7) from Table 1

Allowable depreciation

Prior reserve + Col. (14) + Col. (10)− Col. (3)

Col. (8)− Col. (11)

 

Col. (12) × Col. (13) + 1/2 Col. (9) × F 2

1954

 

 

0.3333

$1,866

1955

$1,866

$9,334

.3600

3,360

1956

5,226

5,974

.4375

2,614

1957

7,840

3,360

.5556

1,867

1958

7,907

1,426

.6786

968

1959

7,075

391

.8125

1,874

1960

5,349

7,717

.4375

3,376

1961

6,725

4,475

.5000

2,238

1962

6,963

 

 

 

2 F = Rate based on average service life (0.3333 in this example).

(3) Other plans for application of the sum of the years-digits method.

Taxpayers who wish to use the sum of the years-digits method in computing depreciation for group, classified, or composite accounts in accordance with a sum of the years digits plan other than the remaining life plan described herein may do so only with the consent of the Commissioner. Request for permission to use plans other than that described shall be addressed to the Commissioner of Internal Revenue, Washington, D.C. 20224.

[Adopted by T.D. 6182, 21 FR 3985, June 12, 1956; republished by T.D. 6500, 25 FR 11402, Nov. 26, 1960.]

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