Meaning Capital assets mean the assets which are used in the business operations to generate revenue. The benefit from these assets is expected to flow to the enterprise beyond the time span of one year. Capital assets are commonly called fixed assets. Examples of capital assets are plant, machineryRead more
Meaning
Capital assets mean the assets which are used in the business operations to generate revenue. The benefit from these assets is expected to flow to the enterprise beyond the time span of one year. Capital assets are commonly called fixed assets.
Examples of capital assets are plant, machinery, land, building, vehicles etc.
To expense the capital assets for the economic benefits they provide, they are depreciated over their useful life on some equitable basis.
When capital assets are sold, the gain on sale is credited to the capital reserve account. On loss, it is simply debited to the profit and loss account. Capital assets are shown under the heading ‘Plant, Property and Equipment’ under the asset head of the balance sheet.
Assets that do not qualify as capital assets
The assets which provide economic benefits for less than a year do not qualify as capital assets. Such as inventories, accounts receivables etc. are not capital assets.
Also, those assets which are not intended to be held for more than 1 year are not capital assets even if such assets are capable of providing economic benefits for more than 1 year. Such assets will be considered current assets.
For example, if a plot of land is purchased by a business but the intention is to sell it after 2 months then such land will not be considered a capital asset.
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The word, “deferred” means delayed or postponed and “revenue” in layman’s terms means income. Therefore deferred revenue means the revenue which is yet to be recognised as income. It is actually unearned income. In accrual accounting, income is recognised only when it is accrued or earned. DeferredRead more
The word, “deferred” means delayed or postponed and “revenue” in layman’s terms means income. Therefore deferred revenue means the revenue which is yet to be recognised as income. It is actually unearned income.
In accrual accounting, income is recognised only when it is accrued or earned. Deferred revenue is the income received before the performance of the economic activity to earn it.
Example: A shoe shop owner gives an order to a shoe manufacturer of 1000 pair of shoes which is to be delivered after 4 months. He also gives him a cheque of ₹15,000 in advance, the rest ₹5000 is to be given at the time of delivery.
So, in this case, the ₹15,000 is actually is unearned revenue i.e. deferred revenue. It will be recognised as revenue when the shoe manufacture completes the order and deliver it.
Till then, the deferred revenue is reported as a liability in the balance sheet. Like this:
After recognition as revenue, it will be reported in the statement of profit or loss:
Hence, to summarise, deferred revenue is:
Some examples of deferred revenue are as follows:
Now the question arises why deferred revenue is recognised as a liability. It is due to the fact that the business may not be able to perform the economic activity successfully to earn that revenue.
Taking the above example, suppose the shoe manufacturer is not able to honour its commitment and the shoe shop owner can wait no more, then the advanced money of ₹ 15,000 is to be refunded. That’s why deferred revenue is recognised as a liability because it is a liability if we consider the principle of conservatism (GAAP).

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