What should be deducted when an item in the main pool is sold according to disposal rules?

When an item in the main pool is sold, the correct approach is to assess the disposal proceeds or the original cost and choose the lower figure. This reflects the principle that when disposing of assets, you want to account for the loss as it prevents overstating the asset's value in accounting records.

If the disposal proceeds (the amount received from selling the asset) are lower than the original cost (the amount initially paid for it), it indicates a loss on the sale, which should be recognized in the financial statements. Conversely, if the disposal proceeds are higher than the original cost, only the original cost is relevant for deduction purposes, as it represents the investment in the item. Therefore, this approach ensures that tax calculations accurately reflect the actual realization (or loss) upon the sale of the asset, which is crucial for maintaining accurate financial reporting and tax compliance.

In this context, other options would incorrectly suggest a higher value than what is relevant for recognizing losses or gains, which does not align with accepted accounting practices regarding asset disposal.