The external costs of specified upgrades, enhancements, and new functionality previously not incorporated into the software design must be capitalized if the cost is $5,000 or more and has a useful life of one year or more or adds additional functionality to the software.

Should software upgrades be capitalized?

For a company that utilizes an off-the-shelf software package for their general ledger, the cost of the software would be capitalized along with the costs of any future upgrades. Any significant payroll costs incurred to implement this software could also be capitalized.

Is software depreciated or amortized?

Therefore, you must depreciate the software under the same method and over the same period of years that you depreciate the hardware. Additionally, if you buy the software as part of your purchase of all or a substantial part of a business, the software must generally be amortized over 15 years.