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Microlesson · 5-min read

AS 28 — Basic Impairment Loss Calculation and Journal Entry

# AS 28: Impairment of Assets — Core Calculation

## Key Definitions

TermFormula / Meaning
Carrying Amount (CA)Cost − Accumulated Depreciation
Net Selling Price (NSP)Selling Price − Cost of Disposal
Value in Use (VIU)Present value of future cash flows from the asset
Recoverable Amount (RA)max(NSP, VIU)
Impairment Loss (IL)CA − RA (only when CA > RA)

> Impairment loss arises only when CA > RA. If RA ≥ CA, no impairment.

---

## Step-by-Step Process

1. Compute CA = Cost − Accumulated Depreciation (book value on the test date)

2. Compute NSP = Expected sale price − Costs to sell

  • If NSP is negative (disposal costs exceed sale price) → treat NSP as zero
  • If asset cannot legally be sold (e.g., fails environmental standards) → SP = 0, so NSP ≤ 0 → NSP = zero

3. Compute VIU = PV of future cash flows

4. RA = Higher of NSP and VIU

5. IL = CA − RA (if positive; otherwise no impairment)

---

## Journal Entry

```

Impairment Loss A/c (P&L) Dr. [Amount]

To PPE / Asset A/c [Amount]

```

## Balance Sheet Presentation

```

Non-Current Assets

PPE (at cost) ₹500

Less: Impairment Loss (₹100)

Net Carrying Amount ₹400

```

## Critical Note on Negative NSP

When a plant is legally barred from sale, SP = ₹0. Even if disposal costs money, NSP is floored at zero — a negative NSP never increases the impairment loss beyond what the CA itself represents.

Worked example

### Example 1

Illustration — NSP = Zero (Asset Cannot Be Sold Legally):

CA = ₹6,00,000. Asset does not meet legal requirements → cannot be sold → SP = ₹0.

Cost of disposal = ₹70,000.

NSP = ₹0 − ₹70,000 = −₹70,000 → floored at ₹0

Assume VIU = ₹0 (no future use either).

RA = max(₹0, ₹0) = ₹0

Impairment Loss = ₹6,00,000 − ₹0 = ₹6,00,000

Journal:

Dr. Impairment Loss (P&L) ₹6,00,000

Cr. PPE ₹6,00,000

Balance Sheet: PPE = Nil after impairment.

### Example 2

Illustration 8:

CA = ₹500. VIU = ₹400; NSP = ₹375.

RA = max(₹400, ₹375) = ₹400

Impairment Loss = ₹500 − ₹400 = ₹100

Journal:

Dr. Impairment Loss / P&L ₹100

Cr. PPE ₹100

Balance Sheet extract:

PPE (cost) ₹500

Less: Impairment Loss (₹100)

Net CA ₹400

⚠️ Common exam mistakes

  • Using the LOWER of NSP and VIU as RA — Recoverable Amount is always the HIGHER (maximum) of the two.
  • Treating a negative NSP as the recoverable amount — NSP is floored at zero for RA calculation purposes.
  • Bypassing the P&L and directly reducing the asset without a journal entry — impairment loss must be recognized through P&L (unless a revaluation reserve exists).
  • Conducting impairment tests every year for all assets — mandatory annual testing applies only to goodwill and intangibles with indefinite useful life or not yet in use.
Bare-Act text Para 5–6 · AS 28 (ICAI) · click to expand
An asset is impaired when its carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount. The recoverable amount of an asset is the higher of an asset's net selling price and its value in use.
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