Depreciation schedule

Topic

An accounting method central to Michael Burry's short thesis. He alleges that tech companies are extending the useful life of AI assets on paper to artificially inflate their earnings.


First Mentioned

11/16/2025, 11:32:59 PM

Last Updated

11/16/2025, 11:46:39 PM

Research Retrieved

11/16/2025, 11:34:50 PM

Summary

A depreciation schedule is a fundamental accounting method used to systematically allocate the original cost of a tangible asset over its estimated useful life. This process serves a dual purpose: it reflects the actual reduction in an asset's fair value due to wear and tear, and it aligns with the matching principle by expensing the asset's cost over the periods it is utilized. Businesses rely on depreciation schedules for accurate financial reporting, tax deductions, and managing asset valuation, impacting both the balance sheet and income statement. Recently, concerns have been raised, notably by Michael Burry, regarding the potential manipulation of depreciation schedules for high-value AI hardware, such as H100 GPUs, by tech giants like Meta and Oracle. This alleged manipulation aims to inflate earnings by extending the perceived useful life of these assets, a debate exemplified by Google's accounting practices where older TPUs are still considered fully utilized after many years.

Referenced in 1 Document
Research Data
Extracted Attributes
  • Impacts

    Balance sheet (asset value), Income statement (net income), Capital expenditures

  • Purpose

    Allocate the original cost of a tangible asset over its useful life

  • Function

    Reflects actual reduction in asset's fair value due to wear and tear

  • Tool Type

    Table or template

  • Components

    Asset cost, Useful life, Depreciation method, Accumulated depreciation

  • Application

    Financial reporting, tax purposes

  • Common Methods

    Straight-line method, Declining balance method (e.g., Double-Declining Balance)

  • Accounting Principle

    Matching principle

Timeline
  • The All-In Podcast (E179) discusses Michael Burry's short position against AI and Palantir, highlighting his claim that tech giants like Meta and Oracle manipulate depreciation schedules for AI hardware (e.g., H100 GPUs) to inflate earnings. The hosts also noted Google's long useful life for TPUs. (Source: Related Documents (All-In Podcast E179))

    2024-03-22

Depreciation

In accountancy, depreciation refers to two aspects of the same concept: first, an actual reduction in the fair value of an asset, such as the decrease in value of factory equipment each year as it is used and wears, and second, the allocation in accounting statements of the original cost of the assets to periods in which the assets are used (depreciation with the matching principle). Depreciation is thus the decrease in the value of assets and the method used to reallocate, or "write down" the cost of a tangible asset (such as equipment) over its useful life span. Businesses depreciate long-term assets for both accounting and tax purposes. The decrease in value of the asset affects the balance sheet of a business or entity, and the method of depreciating the asset, accounting-wise, affects the net income, and thus the income statement that they report. Generally, the cost is allocated as depreciation expense among the periods in which the asset is expected to be used.

Web Search Results
  • Depreciation Schedule Template

    Depreciation is a term used to describe the reduction in the value of as asset over a number of years. A Depreciation Schedule is a table that shows the depreciation amount over the span of the asset's life. For accounting and tax purposes, the depreciation expense is calculated and used to "write-off" the cost of purchasing high-value assets over time. Usually a company will want to write-off the asset (meaning turn the cost into an expense) as soon as possible in order to increase the [...] In the declining balance method, the depreciation for year j is calculated by multiplying the book value at the end of the prior period (cost - accumulated depreciation from prior periods) by a fixed depreciation rate, d. This method is commonly called the Double-Declining Balance Method because the depreciation rate that is used is usually double the straight-line rate or d=2/n. The factor 2 is often specified as 200%. The depreciation formula for year j is: [...] In the straight-line method, the depreciation amount is a constant percentage of the basis, equal to d=1/n. For a useful life of 5 years, the depreciation rate (d) for years 1 through 5 is 1/5, 1/5, 1/5, 1/5, 1/5. The total sums to 5/5 or 100%.

  • Depreciation Schedule Template Excel & Google Sheets

    A Depreciation Schedule Template is an indispensable tool for businesses aiming to systematically monitor the diminishing value of their fixed assets over time. By detailing each asset's cost, useful life, and chosen depreciation method, this template ensures accurate calculation of depreciation expenses, facilitating precise financial reporting and compliance with accounting standards. Implementing the depreciation schedule template aids in tracking the accumulated depreciation of assets and [...] The depreciation schedule template is available in Excel and Google Sheets. A must-have tool for businesses to systematically track asset depreciation over time. Used for accurate financial reporting, tax deductions, and optimizing asset management strategies. Helps businesses plan for asset replacements, manage cash flow efficiently, and ensure compliance with accounting standards. Download it from here: Get an auto-generated depreciation schedule. Register Now Free! [...] Annual Depreciation Values: Pre-calculated depreciation expenses for each year, providing clear insights into the yearly reduction in asset value.

  • Depreciation Schedule - Guide, Example, How to Create

    ### Summarizing the Depreciation Schedule At the bottom of the depreciation schedule, prepare a breakdown of the net change in PP&E. This begins with the beginning balance of PP&E, net of accumulated depreciation. From this beginning balance, add capital expenditures, subtract depreciation expense, and also subtract any sales or write-offs. The final total should be the ending balance of PP&E, already net of accumulated depreciation. [...] To begin, create the structure for the depreciation schedule as follows. The first line item to be referenced should be sales revenue. This is because sales revenue is a common driver for both capital expenditures and depreciation expense. [...] A depreciation schedule is required in financial modeling to forecast the value of a company’s fixed assets (balance sheet), depreciation expense (income statement), and capital expenditures (cash flow statement).

  • Depreciation Schedule: Guide and Example - QuickBooks - Intuit

    The depreciation schedule can also include forecasted and historical capital expenditure (CapEx). A depreciation schedule guides you or your accountant in deciding what tax deductions to claim when doing your tax return each financial year. This ensures that you claim the correct amount of tax. [...] ## What Is a Depreciation Schedule? A depreciation schedule forecasts the value of a company’s depreciation expense, fixed assets, and capital expenditures. Economic assets are different types of properties, plants, and equipment. As these assets are used more frequently, they start to wear and tear and depreciate in value. Accounting for depreciation will help you put a number on that wear and tear and help your business understand the value of that asset over time. [...] 2024-06-13 00:00:00 2024-10-11 00:00:00 Running a business english A depreciation schedule helps businesses organise and understand their depreciating assets. Use our guide to learn more about depreciation schedules. Depreciation Schedule: Guide and Example - QuickBooks

  • Creating a Depreciation Schedule

    Business Strategy Business Growth Growing Money Understanding Depreciation # Creating a Depreciation Schedule If you’ve familiarized yourself with the topics in the previous two sections, you’ll be aware of the different methods for calculating straight-line vs. reducing-balance depreciation. A depreciation schedule charts the loss in value of an asset over the period you’ve designated as its useful life, using the accounting method you’ve chosen. [...] Basically, the only difference here is that the first column (depreciation deduction) will vary from year to year as the accelerated values at the beginning of an asset’s useful life diminish. ## Game Plan