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Microlesson · 5-min read

Depreciation in Special Cases (Amalgamation/Demerger/Conversion/Succession)

# Depreciation in Special Cases

When a business undergoes structural change during the year, depreciation is not calculated separately for the predecessor and successor. Instead, a single calculation is done for the entire year, and the resulting depreciation is then split between the two entities.

## Situations Covered

This rule applies to:

1. Amalgamation / Demerger of companies

2. Conversion of a company into an LLP

3. Succession of a firm/proprietorship by a company

## How to Compute

Step 1: Calculate depreciation for the whole year on the block of assets, as if no transfer/conversion had occurred.

Step 2: Apportion this depreciation between the predecessor and successor in the ratio of the number of days each used the asset.

## Rationale

The rule prevents double benefit (each party claiming full depreciation) and also prevents loss of legitimate deduction. By treating the year as continuous, the total depreciation matches what one entity would have claimed.

Worked example

### Example 1

Example: ABC Ltd. amalgamates with XYZ Ltd. on 1st October. The block of P&M has WDV of Rs. 10,00,000 on 1st April. No additions/sales during the year. Rate of depreciation = 15%.

Step 1 — Compute full-year depreciation: 10,00,000 × 15% = Rs. 1,50,000.

Step 2 — Apportion by days used:

  • ABC Ltd. (predecessor): 1 Apr – 30 Sep = 183 days
  • XYZ Ltd. (successor): 1 Oct – 31 Mar = 182 days

ABC's share = 1,50,000 × 183/365 = Rs. 75,205

XYZ's share = 1,50,000 × 182/365 = Rs. 74,795

⚠️ Common exam mistakes

  • Calculating depreciation separately for predecessor and successor periods (double-claiming or short-claiming).
  • Apportioning by months instead of days.
  • Forgetting that this rule applies to LLP conversions and firm-to-company succession, not just company amalgamations.
  • Treating the asset transfer as a 'sale' and reducing it from the block of the predecessor at fair value.
Reference:
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