Breen Company is trying to plan ahead for upcoming income tax changes expected after the 2020 election. Breen is considering acquiring an asset in January 2021 for a cost of $600,000 that will last for seven years and have a residual value of $80,000 at that time. The asset is expected to bring in net cash benefits of $250,000 a year before income taxes over the life of the project. 2024 40% 2025 40% 2027 45% Breen's accountant is trying to chose the best depreciation method, i.e., the one that contributes to the maximum Net Present Value of the project, given the expected applicable income tax rates: Year 2021 2022 2023 2026 Tax Rates 25% 30% 35% 45% * Rates are expected to remain at 45% after 2027. For income tax purposes, the company will depreciate the asset over a five-year period to a zero salvage value using either the Straight-line method or the Sum-of-the-Years' Digits method. Required: a. Using the company's 12% required rate of return, determine which method leads to the greatest NPV and the amount by which if exceeds the next best alternative. b. Is there a required rate of return where the two methods would provide identical NPV's? If so, what is it