What is the main significance of knowing an asset's residual value?

Knowing an asset's residual value is crucial for calculating depreciation because it represents the estimated value that an asset will have at the end of its useful life. This value is subtracted from the asset's initial cost to determine the amount that can be depreciated over time. Understanding residual value allows appraisers and accountants to allocate the correct amount of depreciation each accounting period, leading to more accurate financial reporting.

In addition, having the correct residual value is essential for various depreciation methods, which require this figure to forecast how much of the asset's cost is to be expensed annually. By determining the right depreciation amount, businesses can reflect the asset's wear and tear accurately on financial statements, affecting tax liability and investment decisions.