Abhimanyu
(CA)
(316 Points)
Replied 19 March 2016
By the definition of Depreciable asset, Para 3.2.iii "It is an asset HELD by an enterprise for use......"
Now As per Framework on AS's issued by ICAI in 2006 Para 57-58 Explain "what is an asset" which should be read with the def. of Depreciable Asset given in AS 6 Para 3.2.i to iii which both explain the following,
"1. Asset of an enterprise result from past transaction or other past events.
2. Transactions or other EVENTS (here expected delivery of asset) does not give rise to asset eg. An intention to buy asset or advance given to buy machinery does not give rise to asset i.e. Machinery, we will write advance for Machinery and can not debit Machinery itself unless we have taken its possession or related risks and rewards, which by far usually are transfered when servers etc. are installed or atleast put to test run.
3. There is a close association between incurring expenditure and obtaining assets but the two do not necessarily coincide. Hence, when an enterprise incurs expenditure, this may provide evidence that future economic benefits were sought but it is NOT conclusive proof that an item satisfying the def. of an asset has been obtained.
Note. Asset means Something which has some cost, its OWN identity, has potential of some future economic benefit, it gives entity distinct identity, loss of which will cause entity outflow in a manner of acquisition of a replacement to keep enjoing the benefit, and most importantly HELD for use in production of goods or rendering of services or admin. purpose or rental to others or may be held for sale but not in ordinary course of business.
4.Now, from above discussion it is clear that we can not charge depreciation on something which is not asset yet.
Also, it is fairly clear that to be a Depreciable asset it has to be held in its form in which we want to charge depreciation i.e. if we want to charge depreciation on Machinery it has to be in possession in the form of Machinery itself and not Advance for Machinery and since servers are technological equipments which are normally required to be setup in an ecosystem to test first and risk and rewards are only transfered on its delivery in one piece.
Thus, concluding it, Depreciable asset is acquired when risk and rewards plus applying the rule of conservatism and prudence the probability of an asset to produce Future Economic Benefit can be ascertained only when it is put to use.
Thus, it is best to capitalize asset when it is put to use, although it would not be straight forward wrong if we capitalize machinery when risks and rewards relating to it are transfered to entity.
Now coming to the Income tax provisions,
Section 32
In order to claim Depreciation, an assessee has to fulfil following conditions:
a. Asset should be owned by the assessee.
b. The asset in respect of which depreciation is claimed, must have been USED for the purpose of business.
Here act clarifies everything by simply writing one word USED, thus if asset is not put to use it can not be depreciated at all.
Also, Accounting Standards does not have application on Income tax.
Thus, answer to your query would be to charge depreciation from the date it is put to use.
P.S. If server equipment is meant for standby it can be charged to depreciation in that status, no need to fulfil the condition of Putting it to use.
Thanks.