How should the depreciation rate be handled for assets acquired in the same year using the sum-of-years' digits method?

The correct approach to handling the depreciation rate for assets acquired in the same year using the sum-of-years' digits method is to apply the same rate consistently for 12 consecutive months. This method allocates the asset's cost over its useful life by utilizing a fraction that decreases each year, based on the sum of the years remaining.

When an asset is acquired, the calculation for depreciation is initiated in the year of acquisition, and it employs a consistent rate that corresponds to the asset's total expected lifespan. This consistency ensures accurate accounting and financial reporting. Since the sum-of-years' digits method is designed around a specific formula that incorporates the asset's useful life, using a uniform approach for the first full year of depreciation maintains fidelity to the method's intended structure.

Applying different rates within the same year or changing the rate from one year to another would disrupt the consistency and reliability of the depreciation expense being recorded, leading to potential misrepresentation of financial statements. Thus, maintaining the same rate for the first full year of depreciation after asset acquisition is crucial for adhering to accounting principles and ensuring comparability.