Your employer, Barnaby Well Company, is considering the acquisition of a new drill truck and your boss has asked you to evaluate the decision that she has made to buy the truck. The truck has a purchase price of $60,000 and a useful life of 4 years and a zero salvage value. Barnaby can borrow to buy the truck for $60,000 or lease the truck for $15,000 for 4 years, paid at the beginning of each year.
If debt is used to buy the truck, Barnaby can borrow at 8% annual interest, with payments at the end of each year. The marginal tax rate for the firm is 40%. The asset is classified as a 3-year cost recovery asset for depreciation purposes. According to the current tax laws, Barnaby is allowed to use MACRS depreciation with 30% rate for year one, 45% for year two, 20% for year three and 5% for year four. There will be no salvage value at the end of the fourth year.
Question:
What is the cost of purchasing the truck with debt financing today?