mercredi 17 juin 2015

Approaches To Cost Segregation Depreciation

By Freida Michael


Many investors are not aware of how they can lessen their tax burden through this practice. This is done through implementing tax strategies which aim at reducing property owners tax burden. One of the powerful tax strategies to reduce burden today is cost segregation depreciation.

The benefit of this practice include gradual cash flow increase, cutting down tax liability, leads to tax deferral and individuals can claim refunds on tax overcharge paid in the previous years without changing their tax return.

Since depreciation reduces a firm profit, it then also reduces the taxable amount of a business. The criteria used to apportion total expenditure of project to different assets very important as it helps to achieve accurate expenditure separation study.

This effect is good as it cuts down the amount to be depreciated and a firm ends up paying less. To achieve accurate and reliable expenditure segregation the technique used to distribute total outlay to specific asset is very crucial.

The next stage is verifying the nature of the asset and evaluating its intended purpose. Sometimes it may require the auditor to take photos of the project for reference in the future if need be. Also photos of site previously constructed may be required for verification purposes and to monitor construction progress.

This technique is believed to be accurate and methodical approach to use. This is because it depends on tangible documentations and it does not use estimations. Documents such as specifications, contracts, blueprints, job reports, invoices, payment request and change orders are utilized to evaluate unit charge.

Then apportion expenditure per unit to individual asset previously classified to get their total outlay. In case of any difference between the total definite expenditure and the quantitative charge, the difference is reconciled and the reason for the difference is investigated.

This method entails following activities, first the management is supposed to identify certain properties or asset which will be analyzed. Then get all the files and records containing the charge of the asset and authenticate project total outlay.

Engineering approach is systematic and more accurate as compared to the rest of approaches. The approach is accurate because it uses less estimated figures and rather takes only the cost amounts as documented.

Thoroughly counter checking of blueprints, contracts, documents for bid, payment request from suppliers and specifications for verification. Prepare take offs quantitatively for the entire material used in construction and utilize records for payments to calculate unit costs. Recognize and allocate specific items from the project to their respective classes such as buildings, land, equipment, fixtures and fittings and other non current assets.

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