Acompany purchased a delivery van for $23,000 with a salvage value of $3,000 on september 1, 2008. it has an estimated useful life of 5 years. using the straight-line method, how much depreciation expense should the company recognize on december 31, 2008? select one: a. $1,000.b. $1,333.c. $1,533.d. $4,000.e. $4,600.

B

Explanation:

The value to depreciate is always the total asset value minus the salvage value. In this case, $23,000-$3000=$20,000. The straight line method formula is:

Depreciation  = value to depreciate/useful years

Depreciation (year) = $20,000/5= $4,000

This formula calculates de depreciation expense each year from the purchase date, which means that on septemeber 1 of 2009 the company will register a depreciation expense of $4,000. But, from september 1,2008 to  December 31, 2008 is less than a year we have to calculate the depreciation for each month.

Depreciation (month)= $4,000/12= $333,33

But since that depreciation would be for december 1, we need to calculate the depreciation for each day

Depreciation (day) = $333,33/31 = $10,75

From september 1 to december 1: 3 months, then $333,333 x 3= $1000

And from december 1 to december 31: 30 days, then $10,75 x 30= $322, 58

The depreciation expense on December 31 is: $1000+$322,= $1322,58 that is almost $1,333. On January 1 the depreciation expense would be $1,333.