Accumulated Depreciation

Accounting

Accumulated depreciation is the total depreciation charged against an asset since it was acquired, a contra-asset account that reduces the asset's book value on the balance sheet.

Each period's depreciation expense builds up in accumulated depreciation, a contra-asset account that offsets the asset's original cost. The asset's cost minus accumulated depreciation equals its net book value, what it is carried at on the balance sheet.

Accumulated depreciation is an accounting figure and differs from the tax side, where capital cost allowance and undepreciated capital cost play the equivalent roles. When an asset is sold, both its cost and its accumulated depreciation are removed from the books, and any difference from the sale price is a gain or loss.

Example

A $30,000 machine depreciated $3,000 a year for four years has $12,000 of accumulated depreciation. Its net book value is $30,000 − $12,000 = $18,000 on the balance sheet.

Need help with accumulated depreciation?

Our certified accounting firm handles this for businesses and individuals across Canada, at fixed fees with no surprises.

Book a Free 15-Minute Call

Accumulated Depreciation Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions regarding our compliance workflows and service guarantees.

An account that carries a credit balance and reduces a related asset. Accumulated depreciation is a contra-asset that offsets the cost of the asset it relates to.
No. Accumulated depreciation is the accounting total on your statements; capital cost allowance and undepreciated capital cost are the separate tax equivalents.
Still Searching for the Answer You Need? View FAQ Page or Contact Us

More Accumulated Depreciation Questions Canadians Ask

The questions Canadians actually search on this topic, answered plainly. Browse every question in the Canadian tax answers directory.

Income tax is tax charged on the income you earn in a year, levied by both the federal government and your province or territory. Rates are graduated, so successive slices of taxable income are taxed at higher rates, and credits such as the basic personal amount reduce the tax calculated. Employment income is taxed through payroll withholding and settled on your T1 return. Quebec residents also file a separate provincial return with Revenu Quebec.

Most enquiries are settled without a phone call in My Account, My Business Account or Represent a Client, where assessments, balances, slips and CRA mail all sit. When you need a person, use the enquiries line for your programme from the contact page on canada.ca, and have your social insurance or business number plus a figure from a recent return ready for identity checks. Written enquiries go to the tax centre named on your notice of assessment.

Most municipalities do not take credit cards for property tax directly. They accept pre-authorised debit, online or telephone banking, cheque, and in-person payment. Third-party payment processors will charge a property tax bill to a card for a service fee, which normally costs more than the rewards earned. The CRA works the same way for income tax and GST/HST: no direct card payment, but authorised third-party providers accept cards for a fee.

There is no single tax-free amount that applies to everyone. Federal and provincial basic personal amounts each shelter a band of income, so someone whose income stays within those amounts pays no income tax. The federal amount is reduced for higher earners, and every province sets its own figure that changes each year. Look up the basic personal amount for your province and tax year, and remember CPP and EI still come off employment income.

Udit Gupta, founder of Tax Filings Canada

Reviewed and fact-checked by Udit Gupta

Ex Big 4 — Ernst & Young, Deloitte · International & cross-border tax specialist · CPA Canada (In-Depth Tax Program) · Chartered accountant, ICAI & MIA

Udit Gupta has over 15 years of experience helping corporations and business owners with corporate structuring, corporate tax filing, bookkeeping, payroll, GST/HST, cross-border tax and CRA representation. Big 4 trained at Ernst & Young and Deloitte, and qualified as a chartered accountant in India and again in Malaysia, he founded his accounting practice in 2014 to serve entrepreneurs, startups and non-resident business owners across Canada. View full member bio.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India — member 521458 · Malaysian Institute of Accountants — member CA 44667 · Ex Big 4: Ernst & Young, Deloitte · CPA Canada (In-Depth Tax Program), completed 19 Dec 2023 · In-Depth GST/HST Part I, 12 Jul 2022 · Part II, 5 Jul 2023

Editorial policy. Every page is researched against primary sources — the Income Tax Act, CRA publications and CPA Canada guidance — and every rate or threshold is stated with the tax year it applies to.

Free 15 Min Consultation for Businesses

Ready to get started with Tax & Accounting?

Talk to a professional tax accountant about your situation. No obligation, and you only pay once the work is complete and you have approved it.

  • Tax accountant led team
  • Fixed fees, no hourly billing
  • Pay only after you approve

One fee, agreed up front

Lock in a fixed fee for your filing

Send a few details and a professional tax accountant quotes one fixed fee for the whole job — no hourly billing, nothing added later.

  • Fixed fee agreed before work starts
  • Pay after the service
  • Free 15-minute consultation

24/7 Helpline: +1 (416) 619-0068

Secure Fixed Quote

Fill details below to lock in pricing and get started today.

Our Partners Are Alumni of the World's Top Accounting and Tax Institutions

Chartered Professional Accountants Canada AICPA — American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Institute of Chartered Accountants of India Malaysian Institute of Accountants