accumulated depreciation - land improvements

This account is a contra long-term asset account which is credited for the depreciation associated with land improvements. As an asset account, the accumulated depreciation account balance does not close at the end of each year; therefore, its credit balance will increase each year. However, its balance cannot become greater than the cost shown in the Land Improvements account.

When the credit balance in Accumulated Depreciation - Land Improvements is netted with the cost of land improvements, the result is the book value or carrying value of the land improvements.

Depreciation Expense - Land Improvements is the income statement account that is debited when Accumulated Depreciation - Land Improvements is credited.