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Microlesson · 5-min read

AS 26 – Internally Generated Intangible Assets

## Internally Generated Goodwill

NEVER recognised as an intangible asset.

Why?

1. It is not identifiable (cannot be separated or arise from a legal right)

2. Cost cannot be measured reliably

> Purchased goodwill → Recognised (arises from amalgamation, identifiable, cost known).

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## Other Internally Generated Intangibles

Costs are split into two phases:

### Research Phase

  • Entity cannot demonstrate that an intangible asset exists yet.
  • All research phase expenses → P&L (expensed immediately).

### Development Phase

  • Converts research results into a marketable product/process.
  • Begins only when ALL 6 conditions are met simultaneously:
#Condition
1Technical feasibility of completion
2Intention to complete the asset
3Ability to use or sell the intangible
4Availability of adequate resources (technical, financial, etc.)
5How it will generate Future Economic Benefits
6Cost can be measured reliably

> Mnemonic: 2 Completion (1,2) + 2 A's (3,4) + 2 Recognition criteria (5,6)

Once all 6 are met → Capitalise all directly attributable development phase expenses.

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## Internally Generated — CANNOT be Recognised (even if development criteria met)

  • Brands
  • Customer databases
  • Publishing titles and mastheads

> These items cannot be distinguished from the cost of developing the business as a whole.

Worked example

### Example 1

R&D Project Timeline (Q11 — LPR):

Scenario: Company spent ₹80 lakh on a project (01-04-2018 to 31-03-2019). Development phase criteria were met on 01-11-2018. Total spent by 31-03-2019 = ₹80 lakh; amount spent till 01-11-2018 = ₹42 lakh.

(i) Expense to P&L (Research Phase):

Expenses from 01-04-2018 to 01-11-2018 = ₹42 lakh → P&L

(ii) Carrying Amount of Intangible Asset as on 31-03-2019:

Development phase expenses (01-11-2018 to 31-03-2019) = ₹80L – ₹42L = ₹38 lakh

(iii) Impairment in next year (2019-20):

  • Opening CA = ₹38 lakh
  • Development expenses added in 2019-20 = ₹90 lakh
  • CA on 31-03-2020 = ₹128 lakh
  • Recoverable Amount (given) = ₹82 lakh
  • Impairment Loss = ₹46 lakh → P&L
  • CA after impairment = ₹82 lakh

⚠️ Common exam mistakes

  • Capitalising all R&D expenses from the start — only development phase expenses are capitalised, and only after ALL 6 conditions are met.
  • Treating internally generated goodwill the same as purchased goodwill — internally generated goodwill is NEVER recognised.
  • Thinking only SOME of the 6 development conditions need to be met — ALL 6 must be satisfied simultaneously.
  • Capitalising internally generated brands or customer databases — these are specifically prohibited under AS 26 even if development criteria are met.
  • Including research phase expenses in the cost of the intangible — these must be expensed to P&L immediately and cannot be reinstated later.
Bare-Act text Paragraphs 36, 41 – Internally Generated Goodwill; Research Phase · AS 26 – Intangible Assets · click to expand
Internally generated goodwill should not be recognised as an asset. No intangible asset arising from research (or from the research phase of an internal project) should be recognised. Expenditure on research should be recognised as an expense when it is incurred.
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