The asset will eventually have to be replaced. In the long term, it doesn’t make a difference - ignoring the time value of money.
Theoretically, the only reason we have depreciation expenses at all instead of just expensing the entire cost at once (cash accounting) is that we decided that accrual accounting was more representative than cash based accounting.
I am not an accountant. I’m an MBA dropout after almost finishing.
Also, taxes. If we were able to fully expense capital plants and equipment, there wouldn't a single company paying taxes, they would continually purchase more to offset profit, eliminate taxation, and accelerate growth.
Theoretically, the only reason we have depreciation expenses at all instead of just expensing the entire cost at once (cash accounting) is that we decided that accrual accounting was more representative than cash based accounting.
I am not an accountant. I’m an MBA dropout after almost finishing.