Depreciation Claim for Laptops, Cameras and Office Equipment
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
| Asset | Typical tax-control question | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Laptop / computer | Is it used for business and in which depreciation block? | Invoice, serial number, user/project note and payment trail. |
| Camera / lens | Business use vs personal hobby risk. | Client shoots, content calendar, invoices and asset register. |
| Furniture / office equipment | Capital item or small revenue expense? | Invoice, office-use location and asset register. |
| Software / licence | Revenue subscription vs eligible intangible/capital item facts. | Subscription invoice, period of use and accounting note. |
Asset register checklist
- Purchase date, invoice number and supplier GST/PAN details.
- Asset description, serial number and location.
- Business-use percentage if mixed-use.
- Block/rate selected with source note.
- Sale/scrap date and sale proceeds if disposed.
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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.
- Income Tax Department: Section 32 — Depreciation
- Income Tax Department: Depreciation rates
- Income Tax Department: Small businessmen — benefits allowable
- Income Tax Department: Profits and gains of business or profession
- Income Tax Department: Section 115BBH — Tax on income from virtual digital assets
FAQs
If the asset is acquired and used for business/profession and other conditions are met, depreciation rules may apply.
Official guidance says different rates are prescribed for different nature of assets.
Yes. It supports use, block classification and sale/scrap treatment.