Working Paper: NBER ID: w10521
Authors: Wendy E. Dunn; Mark E. Doms; Stephen D. Oliner; Daniel E. Sichel
Abstract: This paper provides new estimates of depreciation rates for personal computers using an extensive database of prices of used PCs. Our results show that PCs lose roughly half their remaining value, on average, with each additional year of use. We decompose that decline into age-related depreciation and a revaluation effect, where the latter effect is driven by the steep ongoing drop in the constant-quality prices of newly-introduced PCs. Our results are directly applicable for measuring the depreciation of PCs in the National Income and Product Accounts (NIPAs) and were incorporated into the December 2003 comprehensive NIPA revision. Regarding tax policy, our estimates suggest that the current tax depreciation schedule for PCs closely tracks the actual loss of value in a zero-inflation environment. However, because the tax code is not indexed for inflation, the tax allowances would be too small in present value for inflation rates above the very low level now prevailing.
Keywords: Depreciation; Personal Computers; Tax Policy; National Income Accounts
JEL Codes: O47
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| PCs age (J14) | price decline (E31) |
| age-related depreciation (J14) | price decline (E31) |
| revaluation effect (F31) | price decline (E31) |
| introduction of new technology (O33) | revaluation effect (F31) |
| current tax depreciation schedule (H25) | actual loss of value (J17) |