Griffith Delivery Service purchased a delivery truck for $33,600.

Problem 8-3 Book versus Tax Depreciation

P8-3 Griffith Delivery Service purchased a delivery truck for $33,600. The truck has an estimated useful life of six years and no salvage value. For purposes of preparing financial statements, Griffith is planning to use straight-line depreciation. For tax purposes, Griffith follows MACRS. Depreciation expense using MACRS is $6,720 in Year 1, $10,750 in Year 2, $6,450 in Year 3, $3,870 in each of Years 4 and 5, and $1,940 in Year 6.

Required
1. What is the difference between straight-line and MACRS depreciation expense for each of the six years?
2. Griffith’s president has asked why you use one method for the books and another for tax calculations. ?oCan you do this? Is it legal? Don’t we take the same total depreciation either way??? he asked. Write a brief memo answering his questions and explaining the benefits of using two methods for depreciation.

Hint: Set up a chart showing the different amounts of depreciation each year. Think about what the company will be doing each year if it is growing and profitable.

SOLUTION PREVIEW

PROBLEM 8-3 BOOK VERSUS TAX DEPREICATION

1.   Year                Straight-Line         –             MACRS             =           Difference

         1                       $    5,600*                          $    6,720                              $(1,120)

         2                            5,600                               10,750                                (5,150)

         3                            5,600                                 6,450                                   (850)

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