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Accounting for Government Grants

Contents

INTRODUCTION Paragraphs 1-3

Definitions 3

EXPLANATION 4-12
Accounting Treatment of Government Grants 5-11
Capital Approach versus Income Approach 5
Recognition of Government Grants 6
Non-monetary Government Grants 7
Presentation of Grants Related to Specific Fixed Assets 8
Presentation of Grants Related to Revenue 9
Presentation of Grants of the nature of Promoters’ contribution 10
Refund of Government Grants 11
Disclosure 12

MAIN PRINCIPLES 13-23

Disclosure 23
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158 AS 12 (issued 1991)

Accounting Standard (AS) 12

Accounting for Government Grants

(This Accounting Standard includes paragraphs set in bold italic type

and plain type, which have equal authority. Paragraphs in bold italic type
indicate the main principles. This Accounting Standard should be read in
the context of the General Instructions contained in part A of the
Annexure to the Notification.)

Introduction
1. This Standard deals with accounting for government grants.
Government grants are sometimes called by other names such as subsidies,
cash incentives, duty drawbacks, etc.

2. This Standard does not deal with:

(i) the special problems arising in accounting for government grants in

financial statements reflecting the effects of changing prices or in
supplementary information of a similar nature;

(ii) government assistance other than in the form of government grants;

(iii) government participation in the ownership of the enterprise.

Definitions
3. The following terms are used in this Standard with the meanings
specified:

3.1 Government refers to government, government agencies and

similar bodies whether local, national or international.

3.2 Government grants are assistance by government in cash or kind

to an enterprise for past or future compliance with certain conditions.
They exclude those forms of government assistance which cannot
reasonably have a value placed upon them and transactions with
government which cannot be distinguished from the normal trading
transactions of the enterprise.
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Explanation
4. The receipt of government grants by an enterprise is significant for
preparation of the financial statements for two reasons. Firstly, if a
government grant has been received, an appropriate method of accounting
therefor is necessary. Secondly, it is desirable to give an indication of the
extent to which the enterprise has benefited from such grant during the
reporting period. This facilitates comparison of an enterprise’s financial
statements with those of prior periods and with those of other enterprises.

Accounting Treatment of Government Grants

5. Capital Approach versus Income Approach
5.1 Two broad approaches may be followed for the accounting treatment
of government grants: the ‘capital approach’, under which a grant is treated
as part of shareholders’ funds, and the ‘income approach’, under which a
grant is taken to income over one or more periods.

5.2 Those in support of the ‘capital approach’ argue as follows:

(i) Many government grants are in the nature of promoters’

contribution, i.e., they are given with reference to the total
investment in an undertaking or by way of contribution towards
its total capital outlay and no repayment is ordinarily expected in
the case of such grants. These should, therefore, be credited directly
to shareholders’ funds.

(ii) It is inappropriate to recognise government grants in the profit

and loss statement, since they are not earned but represent an
incentive provided by government without related costs.

5.3 Arguments in support of the ‘income approach’ are as follows:

(i) Government grants are rarely gratuitous. The enterprise earns them
through compliance with their conditions and meeting the
envisaged obligations. They should therefore be taken to income
and matched with the associated costs which the grant is intended
to compensate.
(ii) As income tax and other taxes are charges against income, it is
logical to deal also with government grants, which are an extension
of fiscal policies, in the profit and loss statement.
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(iii) In case grants are credited to shareholders’ funds, no correlation
is done between the accounting treatment of the grant and the
accounting treatment of the expenditure to which the grant relates.

5.4 It is generally considered appropriate that accounting for government

grant should be based on the nature of the relevant grant. Grants which have
the characteristics similar to those of promoters’ contribution should be
treated as part of shareholders’ funds. Income approach may be
more appropriate in the case of other grants.

5.5 It is fundamental to the ‘income approach’ that government grants be

recognised in the profit and loss statement on a systematic and rational basis
over the periods necessary to match them with the related costs. Income
recognition of government grants on a receipts basis is not in accordance
with the accrual accounting assumption (see Accounting Standard (AS) 1,
Disclosure of Accounting Policies).

5.6 In most cases, the periods over which an enterprise recognises the
costs or expenses related to a government grant are readily ascertainable
and thus grants in recognition of specific expenses are taken to income in
the same period as the relevant expenses.

6. Recognition of Government Grants

6.1 Government grants available to the enterprise are considered for
inclusion in accounts:

(i) where there is reasonable assurance that the enterprise will comply
with the conditions attached to them; and
(ii) where such benefits have been earned by the enterprise and it is
reasonably certain that the ultimate collection will be made.

Mere receipt of a grant is not necessarily a conclusive evidence that

conditions attaching to the grant have been or will be fulfilled.

6.2 An appropriate amount in respect of such earned benefits, estimated

on a prudent basis, is credited to income for the year even though the actual
amount of such benefits may be finally settled and received after the end of
the relevant accounting period.

6.3 A contingency related to a government grant, arising after the grant

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AS 12
has been recognised, is treated in accordance with Accounting Standard
(AS) 4, Contingencies and Events Occurring After the Balance Sheet Date.

6.4 In certain circumstances, a government grant is awarded for the purpose

of giving immediate financial support to an enterprise rather than as an
incentive to undertake specific expenditure. Such grants may be confined to
an individual enterprise and may not be available to a whole class of
enterprises. These circumstances may warrant taking the grant to income in
the period in which the enterprise qualifies to receive it, as an extraordinary
item if appropriate (see Accounting Standard (AS) 5, Net Profit or Loss for
the Period, Prior Period Items and Changes in Accounting Policies).

6.5 Government grants may become receivable by an enterprise as

compensation for expenses or losses incurred in a previous accounting period.
Such a grant is recognised in the income statement of the period in which it
becomes receivable, as an extraordinary item if appropriate (see Accounting
Standard (AS) 5, Net Profit or Loss for the Period, Prior Period Items and
Changes in Accounting Policies).

7. Non-monetary Government Grants

7.1 Government grants may take the form of non-monetary assets, such as
land or other resources, given at concessional rates. In these circumstances,
it is usual to account for such assets at their acquisition cost. Non-monetary
assets given free of cost are recorded at a nominal value.

8. Presentation of Grants Related to Specific Fixed Assets

8.1 Grants related to specific fixed assets are government grants whose
primary condition is that an enterprise qualifying for them should purchase,
construct or otherwise acquire such assets. Other conditions may also be
attached restricting the type or location of the assets or the periods during
which they are to be acquired or held.

8.2 Two methods of presentation in financial statements of grants (or the

appropriate portions of grants) related to specific fixed assets are regarded
as acceptable alternatives.

8.3 Under one method, the grant is shown as a deduction from the gross
value of the asset concerned in arriving at its book value. The grant is thus
recognised in the profit and loss statement over the useful life of a
depreciable asset by way of a reduced depreciation charge. Where the
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whole, or virtually the whole, of the cost of the asset, the asset is shown in
the balance sheet at a nominal value.

8.4 Under the other method, grants related to depreciable assets are treated
as deferred income which is recognised in the profit and loss statement on a
systematic and rational basis over the useful life of the asset. Such allocation
to income is usually made over the periods and in the proportions in which
depreciation on related assets is charged. Grants related to non-depreciable
assets are credited to capital reserve under this method, as there is usually
no charge to income in respect of such assets. However, if a grant related to
a non-depreciable asset requires the fulfillment of certain obligations, the
grant is credited to income over the same period over which the cost of
meeting such obligations is charged to income. The deferred income
is suitably disclosed in the balance sheet pending its apportionment to
profit and loss account. For example, in the case of a company, it is
shown after
‘Reserves and Surplus’ but before ‘Secured Loans’ with a suitable

8.5 The purchase of assets and the receipt of related grants can cause major
movements in the cash flow of an enterprise. For this reason and in order to
show the gross investment in assets, such movements are often disclosed as
separate items in the statement of changes in financial position regardless
of whether or not the grant is deducted from the related asset for the purpose
of balance sheet presentation.

9. Presentation of Grants Related to Revenue

9.1 Grants related to revenue are sometimes presented as a credit in the
profit and loss statement, either separately or under a general heading such
as ‘Other Income’. Alternatively, they are deducted in reporting the related
expense.

9.2 Supporters of the first method claim that it is inappropriate to net

income and expense items and that separation of the grant from the expense
facilitates comparison with other expenses not affected by a grant. For the
second method, it is argued that the expense might well not have
been incurred by the enterprise if the grant had not been available and
presentation

10. Presentation of Grants of the nature of Promoters’ contribution

10.1 Where the government grants are of the nature of promoters’
contribution, i.e., they are given with reference to the total investment in an
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undertaking or by way of contribution towards its total capital outlay (for
example, central investment subsidy scheme) and no repayment is ordinarily
expected in respect thereof, the grants are treated as capital reserve which
can be neither distributed as dividend nor considered as deferred income.

11. Refund of Government Grants

11.1 Government grants sometimes become refundable because certain
conditions are not fulfilled. A government grant that becomes refundable is
treated as an extraordinary item (see Accounting Standard (AS) 5, Net Profit
or Loss for the Period, Prior Period Items and Changes in Accounting
Policies).

11.2 The amount refundable in respect of a government grant related to

revenue is applied first against any unamortised deferred credit remaining
in respect of the grant. To the extent that the amount refundable exceeds
any such deferred credit, or where no deferred credit exists, the amount is
charged immediately to profit and loss statement.

11.3 The amount refundable in respect of a government grant related to a

specific fixed asset is recorded by increasing the book value of the asset or
by reducing the capital reserve or the deferred income balance, as appropriate,
by the amount refundable. In the first alternative, i.e., where the book
value
of the asset is increased, depreciation on the revised book value is provided

11.4 Where a grant which is in the nature of promoters’ contribution

becomes refundable, in part or in full, to the government on non-fulfillment
of some specified conditions, the relevant amount recoverable by the
government is reduced from the capital reserve.

12. Disclosure
12.1 The following disclosures are appropriate:
(i) the accounting policy adopted for government grants, including
the methods of presentation in the financial statements;
(ii) the nature and extent of government grants recognised in the
financial statements, including grants of non-monetary assets given
at a concessional rate or free of cost.
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Accounting for Government Grants

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Main Principles
13. Government grants should not be recognised until there is
reasonable assurance that (i) the enterprise will comply with the
conditions attached to them, and (ii) the grants will be received.

14. Government grants related to specific fixed assets should be

presented in the balance sheet by showing the grant as a deduction
from the gross value of the assets concerned in arriving at their book
value. Where the grant related to a specific fixed asset equals the whole,
or virtually the whole, of the cost of the asset, the asset should be shown
in the balance sheet at a nominal value. Alternatively, government grants
related to depreciable fixed assets may be treated as deferred income
which should be recognised in the profit and loss statement on a
systematic and rational basis over the useful life of the asset, i.e., such
grants should be allocated to income over the periods and in the
proportions in which depreciation on those assets is charged. Grants
related to non-depreciable assets should be credited to capital reserve
under this method. However, if a grant related to a non-depreciable
asset requires the fulfillment of certain obligations, the grant should be
credited to income over the same period over which the cost of meeting
such obligations is charged to income. The deferred income balance
should be separately disclosed in the financial statements.

15. Government grants related to revenue should be recognised on a

systematic basis in the profit and loss statement over the periods necessary
to match them with the related costs which they are intended to compensate.
Such grants should either be shown separately under ‘other income’ or
deducted in reporting the related expense.

16. Government grants of the nature of promoters’ contribution should

be credited to capital reserve and treated as a part of shareholders’ funds.

17. Government grants in the form of non-monetary assets, given at a

concessional rate, should be accounted for on the basis of their acquisition
cost. In case a non-monetary asset is given free of cost, it should be recorded
at a nominal value.

18. Government grants that are receivable as compensation for expenses

or losses incurred in a previous accounting period or for the purpose of
giving immediate financial support to the enterprise with no further related
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costs, should be recognised and disclosed in the profit and loss statement
of the period in which they are receivable, as an extraordinary item if
appropriate (see Accounting Standard (AS) 5, Net Profit or Loss for the
Period, Prior Period Items and Changes in Accounting Policies).

19. A contingency related to a government grant, arising after the grant

has been recognised, should be treated in accordance with Accounting
Standard (AS) 4, Contingencies and Events Occurring After the Balance
Sheet Date.

20. Government grants that become refundable should be accounted

for as an extraordinary item (see Accounting Standard (AS) 5, Net Profit
or Loss for the Period, Prior Period Items and Changes in Accounting
Policies).

21. The amount refundable in respect of a grant related to revenue should

be applied first against any unamortised deferred credit remaining in
respect of the grant. To the extent that the amount refundable exceeds
any such deferred credit, or where no deferred credit exists, the amount
should be charged to profit and loss statement. The amount refundable in
respect of a grant related to a specific fixed asset should be recorded by
increasing the book value of the asset or by reducing the capital reserve
or the deferred income balance, as appropriate, by the amount refundable.
In the first alternative, i.e., where the book value of the asset is increased,
depreciation on the revised book value should be provided prospectively
over the residual useful life of the asset.

22. Government grants in the nature of promoters’ contribution that

become refundable should be reduced from the capital reserve.

Disclosure
23. The following should be disclosed:

(i) the accounting policy adopted for government grants, including

the methods of presentation in the financial statements;

(ii) the nature and extent of government grants recognised in the

financial statements, including grants of non-monetary assets
given at a concessional rate or free of cost.