Given Data:
Depreciation rate per year 1 / 5-year useful life = 20%
Salvage value = $4700
Purchase cost = $59000
Step 1: Depreciable asset cost = Purchase cost of – estimated salvage value
Depreciable asset cost = $59,000 – $4,700
= $54,300
Step 2: Annual depreciation = depreciation rate x depreciable asset cost
Annual depreciation = 20% x $59,000
= $11,800
Therefore, depreciation expense recorded for the van during the first year ended December 31 is $11,800.