Question

On January 1, Year 7, Colorado Corp. purchased a machine having an estimated useful life of 8 years and no salvage value. The machine was depreciated by the double-declining-balance (DDB) method for both financial statement and income tax reporting. On January 1, Year 9, Colorado justifiably changed to the straight-line method for both financial statement and income tax reporting. Accumulated depreciation at December 31, Year 8, was $525,000. If the straight-line method had been used, the accumulated depreciation at December 31, Year 8, would have been $300,000. The retroactive adjustment to the accumulated depreciation account on January 1, Year 9, as a result of the change in depreciation method is

Answer 1

Answer:

Colorado Corp.

The retroactive adjustment to the accumulated depreciation account on January 1, Year 9, as a result of the change in depreciation method is:

= $0.

Explanation:

a) Data and Calculations:

Accumulated depreciation at December 31, Year 8 based on double declining balance method = $525,000

Accumulated depreciation at December 31, Year 8 based on straight-line method = $300,000

The required adjustment to the accumulated depreciation account = $0 ($525,000 - $525,000)

b) The accumulated depreciation account does not require a retrospective adjustment.  It will remain at $525,000 while the company continues to apply the straight-line method going forward. The change is called a change in accounting estimate and not a change in accounting principle that requires retrospective application and adjustment to the previous years' accounts.