Whether a lumpsum payment of lease rent to acquire leasehold land for certain period is compulsorily to be capitalised in books? Is there any legal requuirement to capitalise the leasehold land as FA?
or alternatively,
Company can book the advance lease rent as prepaid expenses and yearly amortise the same?
03 January 2011
A land is always an operating lease unless the title to it is transfered to the lessee at the end of the lease term. As i recollect there will be rarely cases in India where land is transfered to the lessee at the end of the lease term.
Subject to the above please treat it as an operating lease and transfer the same to lease rent advance account..bifurcation may be required for current and non current portions. Other accounting is similar like amortising over the term of the lease.
02 August 2024
### Treatment of Leasehold Land Payments
In accounting for leasehold land, the treatment of lump-sum payments for lease rent can be approached in different ways depending on the nature of the payment and the accounting policies followed. Here's a detailed explanation based on your queries:
### **1. Lump-Sum Lease Rent Payment**
#### **Capitalization of Leasehold Land:**
1. **Capitalization Requirement:** - **Accounting Treatment:** According to general accounting principles and practices, a lump-sum payment made to acquire leasehold land for a certain period is typically capitalized. This treatment is because the payment represents a long-term asset that provides economic benefits over the lease term. - **Asset Classification:** The leasehold land is generally classified as a fixed asset (or property, plant, and equipment) in the company's books. The capitalized amount is amortized over the lease term, reflecting the usage of the asset over its useful life.
2. **Legal and Accounting Standards:** - **Accounting Standards:** While Accounting Standard 19 (AS 19) on "Leases" is not applicable to land leases, the principle of capitalizing long-term payments for the acquisition of assets is consistent with general accounting practices. - **Legal Requirement:** There is no specific legal requirement under the Companies Act or other regulations that mandates capitalization of leasehold land payments, but capitalization aligns with the principles of matching and accrual accounting.
### **2. Booking as Prepaid Expenses**
#### **Alternative Treatment:**
1. **Prepaid Expense Approach:** - **Treatment:** If you choose to treat the lump-sum lease rent payment as a prepaid expense, this approach is generally used when the lease payment covers a short-term period, and amortization over the lease term is deemed appropriate. The prepaid expense is recorded initially and then amortized over the lease term. - **Amortization:** Each year, a portion of the prepaid expense is charged to the Profit & Loss Account as amortization. This method is less common for lump-sum payments for leasehold land but may be used if it aligns with your company's accounting policies.
### **Summary and Recommendation**
- **Capitalization:** It is generally advisable to capitalize a lump-sum payment for leasehold land as a fixed asset and amortize it over the lease term. This approach reflects the nature of the leasehold land as a long-term asset and aligns with accrual accounting principles.
- **Prepaid Expense:** Booking the amount as a prepaid expense is an alternative but is less common for leasehold land. This method might be more suitable if the lease term is relatively short and the company prefers to recognize the expense over time.
- **Accounting Policy:** Ensure that your chosen method is consistently applied and disclosed in your accounting policies. Both methods should be documented and justified based on the nature of the lease and the company's accounting practices.
Ultimately, the choice between capitalization and prepaid expense should align with your company's accounting policies and the nature of the lease arrangement. For consistency and compliance, consult with your accounting advisor to determine the most appropriate treatment for your specific situation.