You must evaluate a proposal to buy a new milling machine. The base price is $108,000, and shipping and installation costs would add another $12,500. The machine falls into the MACRS 3-year class, and it would be sold after 3 years for $65,000. The applicable depreciation rates are 33%, 45%, 15%, and 7% as discussed in Appendix 12A. The machine would require a $5,500 increase in working capital (increased inventory less increased accounts payable). There would be no effect on revenues, but pretax labor costs would decline by $44,000 per year. The marginal tax rate is 35%, and the WACC is 12%. Also, the firm spent $5,000 last year investigating the feasibility of using the machine.

a. How should the $5,000 spent last year be handled?

b. What is the net cost of the machine for capital budgeting purposes, that is, the Year 0 project cash flow?

c. What are the project’s annual net cash flows during Years 1, 2, and 3?

d. Should the machine be purchased? Explain your answer.