How to calculate house depreciation
House depreciation is an important concept in real estate investment and accounting, especially in tax planning and asset management. This article will analyze the calculation method of house depreciation in detail, and combine it with structured data to help readers quickly grasp the core points.
1. What is house depreciation?

House depreciation refers to the decrease in value of a house due to increased service life, natural wear and tear or technological obsolescence, and is usually calculated evenly over the life of the house. In accounting and taxation, depreciation expenses can be used to offset taxable income and reduce tax burden.
2. Calculation method of house depreciation
The calculation of house depreciation mainly involves the following three elements:
| elements | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| original value of house | Cost of purchasing a house (including deed tax, agency fees, etc.) | 1 million yuan |
| Estimated residual value rate | The percentage of the house’s remaining value when it is scrapped (usually 5%) | 5% |
| Depreciation life | Residences are usually 20-50 years old (Chinese tax law stipulates a minimum of 20 years for residences) | 20 years |
3. Calculation formula
Annual depreciation = (Original value of the house - Residual value) ÷ Depreciation life
Example: If the original value of the house is 1 million yuan, the residual value rate is 5%, and the depreciation period is 20 years, then:
| residual value | 1 million × 5% = 50,000 yuan |
| annual depreciation | (1 million - 50,000) ÷ 20 = 47,500 yuan/year |
4. Differences in depreciation of houses with different uses
| House type | Tax law stipulates the minimum depreciation period | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| residential | 20 years | Applicable to self-occupied or rented |
| commercial space | 40 years | Shops, office buildings, etc. |
| industrial space | 30 years | Factory buildings, warehouses, etc. |
5. Practical application scenarios of depreciation charges
1.tax deduction: Depreciation charges on rental properties can be included in the cost, reducing the taxable amount of rental income.
2.Asset Valuation: Enterprise financial statements need to reflect the net value of fixed assets.
3.Demolition compensation: The compensation standard in some areas will refer to the residual value of the house after depreciation.
6. Precautions
1. The land value is not depreciated (China implements public ownership of land)
2. Decoration costs can be calculated separately (usually amortized over 5-10 years)
3. In addition to the straight-line method, depreciation methods also include the accelerated depreciation method (subject to compliance with tax law regulations)
7. Hot topics in 2024
Discussions on real estate tax pilots have heated up recently, and the tax treatment of house depreciation has become a hot topic. In addition, the calculation of depreciation of old houses in urban renewal projects has also attracted attention, and some regions have introduced policies to allow shortening the depreciation life to encourage renovation.
Through the above structured data and analysis, readers can systematically understand the calculation logic and application scenarios of house depreciation charges. In actual operations, it is recommended to consult a professional accountant or tax accountant to ensure compliance with the latest regulatory requirements.
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