What is the effect of depreciation on the financial statements of a company?

Depreciation has a direct effect on a company's financial statements by increasing expenses. When a company depreciates its assets, it spreads the cost of the asset over its useful life, which reflects the wear and tear or reduction in value of those assets over time. This depreciation expense is recorded on the income statement, reducing the net income for the period.

As expenses increase due to depreciation, this leads to a lower net income, which can impact retained earnings within the equity section of the balance sheet. While depreciation can also influence tax income as a deductible expense, the primary and immediate effect is the increase in expenses shown on the company's financial statements, making option D the most accurate choice.

Therefore, understanding the role of depreciation is vital as it can inform business decisions and tax strategy, thereby reflecting the true economic value of company assets over time.