Income Tax · Depreciation

Depreciation Claim for Laptops, Cameras and Office Equipment

Finin2min Tax Desk·June 2026·7 min readSECTION 32

A laptop or camera bought for business is not always an immediate full expense. Income-tax depreciation rules may require the asset to be capitalised and depreciation claimed over time based on the applicable block and rate.

Section 32 base rule

Official Section 32 material covers depreciation for tangible assets such as buildings, machinery, plant or furniture and intangible assets specified in the law. Official depreciation-rate guidance states that different depreciation rates are prescribed for different asset categories.

Practical asset table

AssetTypical tax-control questionEvidence
Laptop / computerIs it used for business and in which depreciation block?Invoice, serial number, user/project note and payment trail.
Camera / lensBusiness use vs personal hobby risk.Client shoots, content calendar, invoices and asset register.
Furniture / office equipmentCapital item or small revenue expense?Invoice, office-use location and asset register.
Software / licenceRevenue subscription vs eligible intangible/capital item facts.Subscription invoice, period of use and accounting note.

Asset register checklist

Finin2min warning

Do not claim 100% just because cash went out. Classify capital vs revenue and apply depreciation where required.
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Official sources used

This article is intentionally source-limited to official Income Tax Department / e-Filing material. Verify final filing positions with the latest Act, Rules, circulars and portal utilities before publishing.

FAQs

Can freelancers claim depreciation? â–¾

If the asset is acquired and used for business/profession and other conditions are met, depreciation rules may apply.

Do depreciation rates differ by asset? â–¾

Official guidance says different rates are prescribed for different nature of assets.

Should I maintain an asset register? â–¾

Yes. It supports use, block classification and sale/scrap treatment.