Launch offer — 25% off with code LAUNCH-25 See plans →
Microlesson · 5-min read

AS 26 + AS 28 — Research vs Development Phase and Impairment of Intangible Assets

# AS 26 + AS 28: Impairment of Internally Generated Intangible Assets

## Step 1 — Establish Carrying Amount (AS 26 Rules)

Before applying AS 28, correctly determine what has been capitalised.

PhaseAS 26 Treatment
Research PhaseExpense to P&L — never capitalise
Development PhaseCapitalise as intangible asset (if all recognition criteria met)

> The switchover from Research to Development phase is based on the date when the enterprise can demonstrate technical and commercial feasibility.

## Step 2 — Apply AS 28 Impairment Test

Once the CA of the capitalised intangible is determined (development costs only), apply the normal impairment test:

Impairment Loss = CA − RA (if positive)

The loss is charged to P&L.

## Multi-Period Build-Up of CA

In each subsequent period, additional qualifying development expenditure is added to the existing CA:

Revised CA = Opening CA + Current period development expenditure

Then test: Is revised CA > RA? If yes → impairment.

Worked example

### Example 1

Multi-Year Illustration:

Year ended 31.03.Y1:

  • Expenditure from project start to 01.12.Y0 = ₹22 lakhs → Research Phase → charged to P&L
  • Expenditure from 01.12.Y0 to 31.03.Y1 = ₹28 lakhs → Development Phase → Capitalised
  • CA of Intangible Asset on 31.03.Y1 = ₹28 lakhs
  • Amount to P&L this year = ₹22 lakhs (research cost written off)

Year ended 31.03.Y2:

  • Development continues; expenditure during Y1–Y2 = ₹80 lakhs → capitalised
  • CA on 31.03.Y2 = ₹28L + ₹80L = ₹108 lakhs

AS 28 Impairment Test on 31.03.Y2:

  • RA = ₹72 lakhs
  • Impairment Loss = ₹108L − ₹72L = ₹36 lakhs
  • Amount to P&L = ₹36 lakhs
  • CA after impairment = ₹72 lakhs

⚠️ Common exam mistakes

  • Capitalising research-phase expenditure — AS 26 prohibits this absolutely; all research costs must be expensed as incurred.
  • Running the impairment test on total project expenditure (including research costs already written off) — only the capitalised development costs form the CA subject to AS 28.
  • Forgetting that development-phase assets under construction must be tested for impairment annually, even before the asset is available for use.
  • Treating the switchover date (Research → Development) as the project start date — prior research costs remain in P&L and do not get reinstated when development begins.
Bare-Act text Para 41 & 44 · AS 26 (ICAI) · click to expand
Expenditure on research shall be recognised as an expense when it is incurred. An intangible asset arising from development (or from the development phase of an internal project) shall be recognised if, and only if, an enterprise can demonstrate all of the specified criteria.
Now that you've read this — what's next?
Move from understanding → mastery in 3 clicks. Each option below picks up from this lesson's topic.
Start 15-min diagnostic