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Microlesson · 5-min read

AS 9 – Sale and Repurchase Agreements

## Sale and Repurchase Agreements

### Concept

A transaction where Party A sells an asset to Party B but agrees to repurchase the same asset at a later date (usually at a higher price). This is economically a loan/financing arrangement, not a true sale.

### Accounting Treatment

  • Do NOT recognise revenue from such a transaction
  • Treat it as a secured borrowing: the asset remains on the seller's books, and the inflow is recorded as a loan
  • The difference between sale price and repurchase price is recognised as interest expense over the period

### Journal Entries:

01/04 (Asset sold/cash received ₹10 lakhs):

```

Bank A/c Dr. 10 lakhs

To Loan Taken A/c 10 lakhs

```

31/12 (Interest accrual ₹1 lakh):

```

Interest Expense A/c Dr. 1 lakh

To Loan Taken A/c 1 lakh

```

31/12 (Repurchase — repay ₹11 lakhs):

```

Loan Taken A/c Dr. 11 lakhs

To Bank A/c 11 lakhs

```

Worked example

### Example 1

AK sells a building to Dhruv for ₹10 lakhs on 01/04 with an agreement to repurchase the same building after 1 year for ₹11 lakhs.

Economic substance = AK has taken a loan of ₹10 lakhs using the building as collateral. The ₹1 lakh extra is interest.

AK's books:

  • 01/04: Dr. Bank ₹10L / Cr. Loan Taken ₹10L (building stays on AK's balance sheet)
  • 31/12: Dr. Interest Expense ₹1L / Cr. Loan Taken ₹1L
  • 31/12: Dr. Loan Taken ₹11L / Cr. Bank ₹11L

No revenue is recognised.

⚠️ Common exam mistakes

  • Recording a sale and repurchase as a genuine sale and booking revenue — the economic substance must prevail over legal form.
  • Not recognising interest expense over the period — the difference between sale price and repurchase price is always interest.
  • Removing the asset from the balance sheet during the period of the arrangement — the asset should remain on the seller's books.
Reference:
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