ECONOMICS

Detailed explanation-1: -The predetermined overhead rate is set at the beginning of the year and is calculated as the estimated (budgeted) overhead costs for the year divided by the estimated (budgeted) level of activity for the year. This activity base is often direct labor hours, direct labor costs, or machine hours.

Detailed explanation-2: -You can calculate predetermined overhead rate by dividing the manufacturing overhead cost by the activity driver. For example, if the activity driver was machine-hours, then you would divide overhead costs by the estimated number of machine hours.

Detailed explanation-3: -To allocate overhead costs, an overhead rate is applied to the direct costs tied to production by spreading or allocating the overhead costs based on specific measures. For example, overhead costs may be applied at a set rate based on the number of machine hours or labor hours required for the product.