Skip to main content
declining balance method (of depreciation)

declining balance method (of depreciation)

7.2
A way to reduce an asset's remaining value by a fixed percentage each year
  • noun
  • /dɪˈklaɪnɪŋ ˈbæl.əns ˈmɛθəd ʌv dɪˌprɛʃiˈeɪʃən/
  • Specialized
translation icon : método de saldo decreciente
  • Using the declining balance method of depreciation, assets lose value more quickly in the early years.

Examples

  • Our company adopted the declining balance method of depreciation to better match expenses with revenues.

  • The declining balance method (of depreciation) is commonly used for machinery.

  • The accountant explained the benefits of switching to the declining balance method of depreciation for tax purposes.

  • Many accountants prefer the declining balance method (of depreciation) for its accuracy.

  • Our company adopted the declining balance method of depreciation to better match expenses with revenues.

  • The accountant explained the benefits of switching to the declining balance method of depreciation for tax purposes.

  • Using the declining balance method of depreciation, assets lose value more quickly in the early years.

Synonyms

declining balance method
vsdeclining balance method (of depreciation)
  • Specialized
7.4

A way to reduce an asset's value by a fixed percent each year, with larger reductions at first

is described as subtracting the percent from remaining book value each year

How Accelerated

declining balance method (of depreciation)
  • Specialized
7.2
straight-line method
  • Specialized
6.3

Surface Forms

Morphology

decline + balance + method + (of + depreciation)

The phrase is compositionally built: 'declining' (becoming smaller) modifies 'balance' (remaining amount) and 'method' signals a procedure, so a learner who knows those words can infer it is a procedure in which the remaining balance decreases over time. The parenthetical 'of depreciation' makes the accounting domain explicit; while the exact calculation (fixed percentage of remaining book value) is a technical detail, the overall concept is directly derivable from the constituents.

Etymology

Declining balance method (of depreciation) gives a simple image: a remaining balance that is declining because each year you take the same percentage from what is left. So, the asset 'loses value' faster at the start and less later, which explains why this method spreads loss more quickly in early years.