A fixed asset is often depreciated in different ways for different purposes. Depreciation for tax purposes is calculated by current tax rules to achieve the highest possible depreciation before taxes, but depreciation for reporting purposes is calculated according to accounting laws and standards. The various kinds of depreciation are calculated and recorded separately in the posting layers.

Each value model that is attached to a fixed asset is set up for a particular posting layer that has an overall depreciation objective. There are three types of posting layers. Currentand Operationsare used for accounting purposes, and Taxis used for tax depreciation. You can use depreciation books instead of the tax layer, if you prefer.

Each journal that you can post depreciations in is defined by its Journal namefor only one posting layer. The posting layer in the journal cannot be changed, which helps ensure that transactions for each posting layer are kept separate. At least one journal name must be created for each posting layer.

You can designate ledger accounts for fixed asset transactions in the Posting profiles form. For each posting profile, you must select the relevant transaction type and value model - with the relevant posting layer - and then designate the ledger accounts. If special accounts for tax depreciation are created, they are often placed at the end of the chart of accounts and have account numbers that are different from the account numbers for usual business.