Onslow Co. purchased a used machine for $178,000 cash on January 2. On January 3, Onslow paid $2,840 to wire electricity to the machine and an additional $1,160 to secure it in place. The machine will be used for six years and have a $14,000 salvage value. Straight-line depreciation is used. On December 31, at the end of its fifth year in operations, it is disposed of.

First we must determine the total cost of the machine:

total cost = $178,000 + $2,480 + $1,160 = $181,640

Now we must find the depreciable value:

depreciable value = total cost - salvage value = $181,640 - $14,000 = $167,640

since the machine is going to be used for six years, the depreciation expense per year = depreciable value / useful life

depreciation expense per year = $167,640 / 6 years = $27,940

if it was depreciated during 5 years, the total depreciation expense would be: $27,940 per year x 5 years = $139,700

If the machine was depreciated before time, and sold only at its salvage value, Onslow Corp. should report a loss of $27,940.