XYZ Trucking Company is evaluating a potential lease agreement on a truck that costs $40,000 and falls into the MACRS 3-year class.

XYZ Trucking Company is evaluating a potential lease agreement on a truck that costs $40,000 and falls into the MACRS 3-year class. The loan rate would be 10 percent and would be amortized over the 4-year period, if XYZ decided to borrow money and buy the asset rather than lease it. The loan payments would be made at the end of the year. The truck has a 4-year economic life, and its estimated residual value is $10,000. If XYZ buys the truck, it would purchase a maintenance contract that costs $1,000 per year, payable at the end of each year. The lease terms, which include maintenance, call for a $10,000 lease payment at the beginning of each year. XYZ’s tax rate is 40 percent. Should the firm lease or buy?