Question

On December 31, Strike Company sold one of its batting cages for $24,440. The equipment had an original cost of $244,400 and has accumulated depreciation of $219,960. Depreciation has been recorded up to the end of the year. What is the amount of the gain or loss on this transaction?

Answer 1

Answer: There was no gain or loss on the sale of this asset.

Explanation: In order to calculate how much profit/loss was made on an asset when it is sold, you have to take the cost price of the asset, and deduct the accumulated depreciation of the asset up to the date of sale. This is known as the book value of the asset, and shows how much it was worth on the day it was sold.

Cost price is the purchase price that the asset was worth on the day it was bought by Strike Company. Accumulated depreciation is the total reduction of the worth of an asset periodically, because of wear and tear.

Book value is calculated as:

Cost price: $244,400

- Accumulated depreciation: ($219,960)

= Book Value = $24,440

However the asset was sold for $24,440. This means that Strike Company sold this asset at its pure value, which is the book value. Thus forfeiting the chance to make a profit, or a loss.