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Microlesson · 5-min read

AS 26 – Amortization, Useful Life and Residual Value

## Amortization

Methods allowed (same as AS 10 PPE):

  • Straight Line Method (SLM)
  • Written Down Value (WDV)
  • Units of Production

---

## Amortization Period

EventImpact
StartWhen the asset is available for use
StopWhen the asset is disposed/sold, or CA reaches Residual Value

> Once CA = Residual Value → no further amortization.

---

## Useful Life — Key Rules

RuleDetail
Presumption (AS 26)Useful life cannot exceed 10 years
Exceeding 10 yearsAllowed only if company provides evidence
Goodwill (AS 14 — Amalgamation)Must be amortised over maximum 5 years

---

## Residual Value

  • Since intangibles have no physical substance, residual value is presumed to be ZERO (no scrap).
  • Exception: If a third party has committed to purchase the intangible at the end of its useful life → that committed price = residual value.

---

## Change in Estimates (Useful Life / Residual Value)

  • Treated as a Change in Accounting Estimate per AS 5.
  • Apply Prospective accounting — adjust remaining amortization going forward; do NOT restate past periods.

```

Revised Annual Amortization = Carrying Amount at date of change

÷ Revised remaining useful life

```

Worked example

### Example 1

Prior Period Error — Amortization Not Charged (Illustration from notes):

Cost of intangible = ₹20 lakhs, Life = 10 years. Asset not amortised for 6 years (error).

Amortization for 6 years = ₹20L × 6/10 = ₹12 lakhs → Prior Period item (P&L)

Amortization for current year (Year 7) = ₹20L/10 = ₹2 lakhs → P&L

Journal Entry:

```

Prior Period Item (P&L) Dr 12 lakhs

Amortization (P&L) Dr 2 lakhs

To Intangible Asset 14 lakhs

```

CA on 31.3.47 = ₹20L – ₹14L = ₹6 lakhs

### Example 2

Change in Useful Life — Patent (Q9):

Cost of Patent = ₹80 lakh, Original life = 8 years, Amortization per year = ₹10 lakh.

After 2 years: CA = ₹60 lakh. Life revised to 3 years remaining (total 5 years).

Revised annual amortization = ₹60L ÷ 3 = ₹20 lakh per year (prospective)

YearAmortization
1₹10 lakh (old rate)
2₹10 lakh (old rate)
3–5₹20 lakh each (revised rate)

No retrospective restatement — change in estimate, not error.

### Example 3

Evidence required for >10 year life (Q3 from notes):

Intangible asset acquired 01-04-2016, Cost = ₹120 lakhs, Company assumes 15-year life (no evidence provided).

AS 26 mandates maximum 10-year life without evidence.

Amortization for 6 years @ 10-year life = ₹120L × 6/10 = ₹72 lakhs

CA as per AS 26 on 31-03-2022 = ₹48 lakhs

CA in Company's books (using 15-year life) = ₹72 lakhs

Shortfall = ₹24 lakhs → Prior Period Item (P&L)

```

Revenue Reserve Dr 24 lakhs (or Prior Period P&L)

To Intangible Asset 24 lakhs

```

⚠️ Common exam mistakes

  • Continuing to amortize after the carrying amount reaches residual value — stop immediately at that point.
  • Applying retrospective (prior period) treatment to a change in useful life estimate — this is a change in estimate (AS 5), so it is PROSPECTIVE only.
  • Assuming any life beyond 10 years is valid without evidence — AS 26 creates a rebuttable presumption; evidence is mandatory to exceed 10 years.
  • For goodwill from amalgamation, using 10-year limit instead of AS 14's 5-year maximum.
  • Assuming intangibles have a residual value equal to market value — residual value is ZERO unless a third party commits to purchase.
Bare-Act text Paragraph 63 – Amortization Period · AS 26 – Intangible Assets · click to expand
The depreciable amount of an intangible asset should be allocated on a systematic basis over the best estimate of its useful life. There is a rebuttable presumption that the useful life of an intangible asset will not exceed ten years from the date when the asset is available for use.
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