Every asset can carry an Asset ID: your firm's own identifier for it, such as a tag number, item number, or the number your prior system used. DepreciationPro treats it as the asset's identity, not just a label. It is how a second import recognizes an asset that is already in the return. See Update existing assets when a file matches by Asset ID.
Where you see and set it
The assets grid shows an Asset ID column by default, right after the asset name. An asset without one shows a dash. The search box matches Asset IDs, so typing an ID finds the asset.
The asset page has an Asset ID field beside the description, in Asset Details. Edit it any time and click Save asset details.
Imports fill it from a mapped column. Column headings like "Asset ID", "Asset No", "Item Number", or "Tag Number" map to it automatically.
The field is optional. Assets without one behave exactly as before, and DepreciationPro never generates or fills in an ID for you.
One ID means one asset
Two rules keep the ID trustworthy:
Within a return, an ID is unique. Saving an asset with an ID already used on the same return is refused: "Asset ID "1041" is already used by another asset on this return."
Across a client's returns, the same ID means the same asset. A rollover copy of asset 1041 on next year's return correctly carries 1041. If you give an asset an ID that a different asset uses on another of the client's returns, the save succeeds with a warning: "Asset ID "1041" also appears on another return for this client. That's expected if it's the same asset carried across years or states." Editing an asset that is itself the carried-forward copy does not warn.
An import file that uses the same ID on two rows blocks both rows until you fix one. Each asset needs its own ID.
Splits and partial disposals number the pieces
When you split an asset, the original keeps its ID and each new piece gets a suggested ID made from it: pieces of asset 12 default to 12.1, 12.2, and so on. Splitting a piece again extends the pattern, so a piece of 12.1 becomes 12.1.1. A partial disposal carves off a piece the same way. Every suggested ID is editable before you confirm.
An asset without an ID produces pieces without IDs.
Rollover carries IDs forward
Rolling a return into the next year copies each asset's ID with it. That is the intended way one asset keeps one ID across years, and it is what makes next year's import match the right assets.