Depreciation of Container House Offices

The depreciation period for container house offices must be determined comprehensively based on their nature, purpose, and tax regulations, as detailed below:

I. Depreciation Period under Corporate Accounting Rules

According to corporate accounting rules, as fixed assets, the depreciation period for office containers must be determined based on usage scenarios, maintenance conditions, and industry practices:

1. Regular Office Use: If containers are used for long-term fixed office purposes, the depreciation period is typically set at 5-10 years (straight-line depreciation). For temporary office use (e.g., project sites), it can be shortened to 3-5 years.
2. Usage Intensity and Environment: If containers are used intensively (e.g., frequent relocation, high-load operation) or in harsh environments (e.g., high temperatures, humidity, corrosive locations), the depreciation period can be adjusted to 3-7 years.
3. Maintenance and Upkeep: If a company performs high-quality maintenance on containers (e.g., regular inspections, corrosion prevention treatments), the depreciation period can be extended to 8-12 years.
4. High-End Office Spaces: If containers are used for high-end offices (e.g., strong design elements, comprehensive facilities), the depreciation period can be set at 7-10 years.
5. Industry Practices: Most companies refer to industry experience and set the depreciation period at 6-8 years to balance cost allocation with actual asset depreciation.

II. Depreciation Period under Tax Regulations

Tax regulations specify clear requirements for the depreciation period of container house offices, which must be followed first:

1. Minimum Period Requirement: According to tax regulations, the depreciation period for office containers must not be shorter than 3 years. If a company's accounting depreciation period is below this standard, adjustments must be made for tax deductions.
2. Classification as Buildings: If containers are modified into fixed buildings (e.g., welded foundations, connected to utilities) and meet the definition of a building, their depreciation period must be 20 years, consistent with ordinary buildings.
3. Classification as Equipment/Tools/Furniture: If containers are considered temporary or movable structures (e.g., mobile homes), they are typically classified as 'equipment, tools, furniture, etc. related to business operations' and subject to a minimum 5-year depreciation period.

III. Key Determining Factors

The actual depreciation period must be evaluated based on the following factors:

• Asset Nature: Whether movable or具备房屋功能 (whether it functions as a building);
• Usage Scenario: Temporary or long-term use, severity of environmental conditions;
• Maintenance Investment: Regular inspections, corrosion prevention treatments, etc.;
• Tax Compliance: Prioritize meeting the minimum tax period requirements to avoid adjustment risks.

Companies can choose the depreciation period based on actual circumstances but must ensure accounting treatment aligns with tax regulations to avoid tax risks.