Response to the following problem:
Big Sky Mining Company must install $1.5 million of new machinery in its Nevada mine. It can obtain a bank loan for 100 percent of the purchase price, or it can lease the machinery.
Assume that the following facts apply:
(1) The machinery falls into the MACRS 3-year class.
(2) Estimated maintenance expenses are $75,000 per year, payable at the beginning of each year.
(3) The firm's tax rate is 40 percent.
(4) The loan would have an interest rate of 15 percent.
(5) The lease terms call for $400,000 payments at the end of each of the next 4 years.
(6) Under either the lease or the purchase, Big Sky must pay for insurance, property taxes, and maintenance.
(7) Assume that Big Sky Mining will continue to use the machine beyond the expiration of the lease and must purchase it at an estimated residual value of $250,000 at the end of the 4th year. This $250,000 will then be depreciated under the MACRS 3-year class schedule, starting with the year in which the equipment is purchased, which is Year 4. What is the NAL of the lease?