Question

On October 1, 2018, Northern Inc. purchased a patent for $204,000 cash. Although the patent gives legal protection for 20 years, the patent is expected to be used for only 10 years. The patent has no residual value. What will be the balance in the patent account on September 30, 2019?

Answer 1

Answer:

$183,600

Explanation:

Since the expected useful life of the patent is only 10 years, instead of 20 years, its cost should be amortized in 10 years. That means that for every year that passes, Northern has to amortize $20,400 (= $204,000 / 10). Only one year passed between September 30, 2019 and October 1, 2018, so the patent's account on the balance sheet is $183,600 (= $204,000 - $20,400).