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Microlesson · 5-min read

AS 28 – CGU Impairment with Goodwill: Allocation and Reversal Rules

## CGU Impairment with Goodwill — Allocation and Reversal

### Step 1 — Allocate Impairment Loss in a CGU

When a Cash Generating Unit (CGU) is impaired, the impairment loss is allocated in a strict priority order:

1. First: Reduce Goodwill in the CGU to zero.

2. Then: Allocate the remaining loss pro-rata to other assets (but no individual asset below its own RA or zero).

### Step 2 — Post-Impairment Depreciation

After impairment, recalculate depreciation for each asset using its revised carrying amount over the revised remaining useful life.

### Step 3 — Reversal of Impairment Loss in CGU

When RA of CGU recovers:

Asset TypeCan Impairment Be Reversed?Cap
GoodwillNo — prohibited under AS 28
Other assetsYesMax reversal cap applies per asset

Special check for Goodwill reversal: If the goodwill's original useful life has already expired by the reversal date, the question is moot — goodwill is fully amortized and has zero carrying amount regardless.

### Step 4 — Max Reversal for Other Assets (in CGU)

Apply the same cap rule:

  • CA if No Impairment = Original cost − Accumulated depreciation on original schedule
  • Max Reversal = CA (if no impairment) − Current CA (after impairment & further depreciation)
  • Actual Reversal = min(Max Reversal, Actual Potential Reversal from RA improvement)

Worked example

### Example 1

CGU with Other Assets + Goodwill (Page 26)

Given at end of 2014:

  • Other Assets CA = ₹4,000 | Life = 15 years
  • Goodwill CA = ₹2,000 | Life = 5 years
  • Total CGU CA = ₹6,000

At end of 2018 (after 4 years):

  • Other Assets: Dep = 4,000 × 4/15 = ₹1,067 → CA = ₹2,933
  • Goodwill: Amort = 2,000 × 4/5 = ₹1,600 → CA = ₹400
  • Total CA = ₹3,333 | RA = ₹2,720 | Impairment Loss = ₹613

Allocation:

  • To Goodwill first: ₹400 (fully wipes out goodwill)
  • Remaining to Other Assets: 613 − 400 = ₹213
  • Revised Other Assets CA = 2,933 − 213 = ₹2,720; Goodwill = ₹0

At end of 2020 (2 more years, remaining life of Other Assets = 11 years):

  • Dep for 2 years = 2,720 × 2/11 ≈ ₹495
  • Other Assets CA = 2,720 − 495 = ₹2,225
  • RA of CGU = ₹3,420
  • Actual potential reversal = 3,420 − 2,225 = ₹1,195

Max Reversal (Other Assets):

  • CA if No Impairment at end of 2020 = 4,000 × (15 − 6)/15 = 4,000 × 9/15 = ₹2,400
  • Max Reversal = 2,400 − 2,225 = ₹175
  • Actual Reversal = min(175, 1,195) = ₹175
  • Revised CA = 2,225 + 175 = ₹2,400

Goodwill reversal: Not possible. Goodwill had a 5-year life; at end of 2020, 6 years have elapsed — goodwill is fully amortized. No reversal applicable.

⚠️ Common exam mistakes

  • Reversing goodwill impairment — AS 28 explicitly prohibits this regardless of how much RA improves.
  • Allocating impairment loss to other assets before fully eliminating goodwill in the CGU.
  • Applying the reversal cap to the full CGU rather than to each individual asset separately.
  • Forgetting that if goodwill's useful life has elapsed, the reversal prohibition question does not even arise — it's already at zero through amortization.
  • Using 'remaining life after impairment' instead of 'remaining original life' when computing CA if no impairment for the reversal cap.
Bare-Act text Reversal of impairment loss for a cash-generating unit / Goodwill reversal prohibition (para. 113) · AS 28 – Impairment of Assets · click to expand
An impairment loss recognised for goodwill shall not be reversed in a subsequent period. AS 28 requires that when a CGU is impaired, the loss is allocated first to reduce goodwill, and then pro-rata to other assets.
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