1. Gripping IFRS Government grants and government assistance
Chapter 12
Government Grants and Government Assistance
Reference: IAS 20 and SIC 10
Contents: Page
1. Introduction 384
2. Definitions 384
3. Recognition 385
3.1 General 385
3.2 Grants related to expenses 385
3.2.1 Grant for past expenses or immediate financial support 385
Example 1: grant for past expenses 385
3.2.2 Grant for future expenses 386
Example 2: grant for future expenses – direct approach 386
Example 3: grant for future expenses – indirect approach 387
3.3 Grants related to assets 389
Example 4: grant related to a depreciable asset – direct approach 389
Example 5: grant related to a depreciable asset – indirect approach 390
Example 6: grant related to a non-depreciable asset – direct approach 391
3.4 Grants received as a package 393
Example 7: grant is a package deal 393
4. Measurement 394
Example 8: grant asset – fair value or nominal amount 394
5. Change in estimates and repayments 395
Example 9: grant related to expenses – repaid 395
Example 10: grant related to assets – repaid 397
6. Disclosure 399
7. Summary 400
383 Chapter 12
2. Gripping IFRS Government grants and government assistance
1. Introduction
Government grants are provided to encourage an entity to become involved in certain
activities that it may otherwise not have involved itself in (or may even be used to discourage
certain activities). It is often provided to assist businesses in starting up. This obviously
benefits the business but also benefits the government through creation of jobs and thus a
larger base of taxpayers. Grants are often referred to by other names such as subsidies,
subventions and premiums.
2. Definitions
The following definitions have been simplified wherever considered appropriate:
Government:
• government;
• government agencies;
• similar bodies;
• whether local, national or international.
Government assistance:
• action designed by government
• to provide an economic benefit
• to an entity or range of entities
• that qualify under certain criteria.
Government grants:
• government assistance
• in the form of transfers of resources to an entity
• in return for past or future compliance with certain conditions relating to the operating
activities of the entity
• but excludes:
- assistance that cannot be reasonably valued, and
- transactions with government that cannot be distinguished from normal trading.
Grants related to income:
• a government grant
• that is not a grant related to an asset.
Grants related to assets:
• a government grant
• that has a primary condition requiring:
- the qualifying entity
- to purchase, construct or otherwise acquire long-term assets;
• that may have a secondary condition/s restricting:
- the type or location of the assets, and/ or
- the periods during which the assets are to be acquired or held.
Forgivable loan:
• a loan
• that the lender has undertaken to waive repayment of
• under certain conditions.
Fair value:
• the amount for which an asset could be exchanged between
• knowledgeable, willing parties in an arm's length transaction.
384 Chapter 12
3. Gripping IFRS Government grants and government assistance
3. Recognition
3.1 General (IAS 20.7 – .18)
A government grant can take one of two forms:
• grant related to an asset:
these are those where the grant must be used to purchase some sort of asset;
• grant related to an expense:
these are any grants other than those related to the purchase of an asset.
The type of grant provided determines how it should be accounted for.
Government grants are only recognised when there is reasonable assurance:
• that the entity will comply with the conditions; and
• the grants will be received.
Government grants are recognised as:
• income over the relevant periods
• on a rational basis
• that matches the grant income with the costs that they were intended to compensate.
The grant income can be presented as:
• ‘other income’ or as a separate income in the statement of comprehensive income: direct
income approach; or
• a reduction to the expense or asset to which it related: indirect income approach.
The terms direct income approach and indirect income approach are not terms that you will
find in IAS 20, but are merely terms devised for ease of explanation and understanding of the
two forms of presentation.
3.2 Grants related to expenses (IAS 20.12 - .19 and .21)
If the grant received does not relate to an asset it could be used as:
• compensation for past expenses or as immediate financial support; or as
• compensation for future expenses still to be incurred.
3.2.1 Grant for past expenses or immediate financial support (IAS 20.20 - .22; .29 - .31)
The grant may be receivable as either:
• immediate financial support (unrelated to future costs); or
• for expenses or losses already incurred.
Where the grant relates to immediate financial support or past expenses, it is recognised as
income in the period in which the grant becomes receivable.
Example 1: grant for past expenses
The government offers companies that incur certain labour expenditure, a cash sum equal to
30% of the specified expenditures. Giveme Limited incurred C30 000 of specified expenses
during 20X0 and presented the government with an audited statement of expenses on
31 March 20X1.
Required:
Show the related journal entries in the records of Giveme Limited assuming that the grant
becomes receivable:
A. In the year in which the company incurs the specified expenses;
B. In the year in which the company provides the government with an audited statement of
expenses.
385 Chapter 12
4. Gripping IFRS Government grants and government assistance
Solution to example 1A: grant for past expenses
31 December 20X0 Debit Credit
Labour expenses 30 000
Salaries and wages payable 30 000
Labour costs incurred during 20X0
Grant income receivable (asset) 30 000 x 30% 9 000
Grant income 9 000
Grant income recognised based on past expenses; recognised when
the expenses were incurred
Solution to example 1B: grant for past expenses
31 December 20X0 Debit Credit
Labour expenses 30 000
Salaries and wages payable 30 000
Labour costs incurred during 20X0
31 March 20X1
Grant income receivable (asset) 30 000 x 30% 9 000
Grant income 9 000
Grant income recognised based on past expenses; recognised when
the required audited expense statement was presented to government
3.2.2 Grant for future expenses (IAS 20.12 - .17 and .29 - .31)
If the grant is to be used to subsidise certain future expenditure, then it should be recognised
in the statement of comprehensive income over the period that the expenditure is recognised.
There are two approaches that the company may use in presenting the government grant:
• direct income approach: the grant is credited to a grant income account (either deferred or
realised) (i.e. the grant is recognised directly as income over the period of the grant);
• indirect income approach: the grant is credited to the expense account to which the
subsidy relates (indirectly recognised as income over the period of the grant by way of the
reduced expenditure).
If the grant relates to future expenses, the grant should be recognised as income on a basis
that reflects the pattern in which the costs are expected to be incurred or are incurred.
Example 2: grant for future expenses – direct approach
The government grants a company a cash sum of C10 000 to contribute 10% towards
C100 000 of future wage expenditure. The grant was received on 1 January 20X1 as a result
of compliance with certain conditions in 20X0 (the prior year). All conditions attaching to
the grant (with the exception of the incurring of the future wages) had all been met on date of
receipt.
Required:
Show the journal entries for the year ended 31 December 20X1 assuming that the company
policy is to present such a grant as grant income (i.e. direct income):
A. The company incurs C100 000 wage expenditure in 20X1;
B. The company incurs C20 000 of the related wage expenditure in the year ended
31 December 20X1 and C80 000 thereof in the year ended 31 December 20X2..
386 Chapter 12
5. Gripping IFRS Government grants and government assistance
Solution to example 2A: grant for future expenses – direct approach
1 January 20X1 Debit Credit
Bank 10 000
Deferred grant income 10 000
Recognising a government grant intended to reduce future expenses
31 December 20X1
Wage expenditure 100 000
Wages payable 100 000
Wage expenditure incurred
Deferred grant income 10 000
Grant income Recognised directly as income 10 000
Recognising 100% of the government grant since all related expenses
that the grant was intended to compensate have been incurred
Note: the statement of comprehensive income will reflect a wage expense of 100 000 and grant income
of 10 000 (the net effect on profit is a net expense of 90 000).
Solution to example 2B: grant for future expenses – direct approach
1 January 20X1 Debit Credit
Bank 10 000
Deferred grant income 10 000
Recognising a government grant intended to reduce future expenses
31 December 20X1
Wage expenditure 20 000
Wages payable 20 000
Wage expenditure incurred
Deferred grant income 10 000 x 20% 2 000
Grant income 2 000
Recognising 20% of the government grant since 20% of the expenses
that the grant was intended to compensate have been incurred
31 December 20X2
Wage expenditure 80 000
Wages payable 80 000
Wage expenditure incurred
Deferred grant income 10 000 x 80% 8 000
Grant income Recognised directly as income 8 000
Recognising 80% of the government grant since 80% of the expenses
that the grant was intended to compensate have been incurred
Note: the statement of comprehensive income will reflect:
• 20X1: a wage expense of 20 000 and grant income of 2 000 (the net decrease in profits: 18 000);
• 20X2: a wage expense of 80 000 and grant income of 8 000 (net decrease in profits: 72 000).
Example 3: grant for future expenses – indirect approach
The government grants a company a cash sum of C10 000 to contribute 10% towards future
specified wages. The grant was received on 1 January 20X1 due to compliance with certain
conditions in 20X0. All conditions attaching to the grant (with the exception of the incurring
of the future wages) had all been met on date of receipt. The year-end is 31 December.
387 Chapter 12
6. Gripping IFRS Government grants and government assistance
Required:
Show the journal entries assuming that the company policy is to recognise government grants
as a credit to the related expense (i.e. indirect income approach):
A. The company incurs all intended expenditure in the year ended 31 December 20X1;
B. The company incurs 20% of the wages in 20X1 and 80% in 20X2..
Solution to example 3A: grant for future expenses – indirect approach
1 January 20X1 Debit Credit
Bank 10 000
Deferred grant income 10 000
Recognising a government grant intended to reduce future expenses
31 December 20X1
Wage expenditure 100 000
Wages payable 100 000
Wage expenditure incurred
Deferred grant income 10 000
Wage expenditure Recognised indirectly as income 10 000
Recognising 100% of the government grant since all related expenses
that the grant was intended to compensate have been incurred
Note: the statement of comprehensive income will reflect a wage expense of 90 000 (the net effect on
profit is a decrease of 90 000).
Compare this to example 2A: the effect on profit is the same.
Solution to example 3B: grant for future expenses – indirect approach
1 January 20X1 Debit Credit
Bank 10 000
Deferred grant income 10 000
Recognising a government grant intended to reduce future expenses
31 December 20X1
Wage expenditure 20 000
Wages payable 20 000
Wage expenditure incurred
Deferred grant income 10 000 x 20% 2 000
Wage expenditure Recognised indirectly as income 2 000
Recognising 20% of the government grant since 20% of the expenses
that the grant was intended to compensate have been incurred
31 December 20X2
Wage expenditure 80 000
Wages payable 80 000
Wage expenditure incurred
Deferred grant income 10 000 x 80% 8 000
Wage expenditure Recognised indirectly as income 8 000
Recognising 80% of the government grant since 80% of the expenses
that the grant was intended to compensate have been incurred
Note: the statement of comprehensive income will reflect:
• 20X1: a wage expense of 18 000 (the net decrease in profits: 18 000);
• 20X2: a wage expense of 72 000 (net decrease in profits: 72 000);
Compare this to example 2B: the effect on profit is the same.
388 Chapter 12
7. Gripping IFRS Government grants and government assistance
3.3 Grants related to assets (IAS 20.12; .17 - .18; .24 - .28)
Grants related to assets could be provided as:
• a non-monetary asset (i.e. the actual asset is provided); or as
• a monetary asset (i.e. cash) that must be used to acquire a non-monetary asset.
The non-monetary asset itself could be:
• a depreciable asset; or
• a non-depreciable asset.
If the grant is received as cash (or another monetary asset) the measurement is obviously
simply the cash amount received. If the grant is received as a non-monetary asset, the fair
value of the non-monetary asset must be determined. The grant income and the non-monetary
asset are recognised at this fair value.
If the asset received or to be acquired is a depreciable asset, the grant is usually recognised as
income over the same period that the asset is depreciated.
If the asset received or to be acquired is a non-depreciable asset, the grant may require certain
obligations to be met, in which case the grant would be recognised as the obligations were
met. Judgement would be required to determine when the grant should be recognised as
income. By way of example, a grant could be provided by way of cash to purchase land on
condition that a building is erected on it. In this case, the grant could be recognised as income
once the building is erected or the grant could be recognised as income over the life of the
building (being a depreciable asset).
Where the grant relates to an asset, the initial grant may be recorded using either of the
following approaches:
• direct income approach: the grant is credited to a deferred grant income account and is
recognised as grant income over the useful life of the asset (i.e. the grant is recognised
directly as income over the life of the asset);
• indirect income approach: the grant is credited to the asset account to which the subsidy
relates (i.e. indirectly recognised as income over the period of the grant by way of a
reduced depreciation charge).
Example 4: grant related to a depreciable asset – direct approach
The government grants a company a cash sum of C12 000 on 1 January 20X1 to assist in the
acquisition of a nuclear plant. The nuclear plant was acquired on 1 January 20X1 for
C90 000, was available for use immediately and has a useful life of 3 years (the plant has a nil
residual value).
The grant was received after compliance with certain conditions in 20X0 (the prior year).
All conditions attached to the grant, with the exception of the acquisition of the plant, had all
been met on date of receipt.
Required:
Show the journal entries in the years ended 31 December 20X1, 20X2 and 20X3. The
company has the policy of recognising government grants directly in income.
Solution to example 4: grant related to a depreciable asset – direct approach
1 January 20X1 Debit Credit
Bank 12 000
Deferred grant income 12 000
Recognising a government grant intended to assist in the acquisition
of a nuclear plant
389 Chapter 12
8. Gripping IFRS Government grants and government assistance
1 January 20X1 continued … Debit Credit
Nuclear plant: cost (asset) 90 000
Bank 90 000
Purchase of plant
31 December 20X1
Depreciation - plant (expense) (90 000 – 0) / 3 years 30 000
Nuclear plant: accumulated depreciation (asset) 30 000
Depreciation on plant
Deferred grant income 12 000 / 3 years 4 000
Grant income 4 000
Grant income recognised on the same basis as plant depreciation
31 December 20X2 Debit Credit
Depreciation - plant (expense) (90 000 – 0) / 3 years 30 000
Nuclear plant: accumulated depreciation (asset) 30 000
Depreciation on plant
Deferred grant income 12 000 / 3 years 4 000
Grant income 4 000
Grant income recognised on the same basis as plant depreciation
31 December 20X3
Depreciation - plant (expense) (90 000 – 0) / 3 years 30 000
Nuclear plant: accumulated depreciation (asset) 30 000
Depreciation on plant
Deferred grant income 12 000 / 3 years 4 000
Grant income 4 000
Grant income recognised on the same basis as plant depreciation
Note: the statement of comprehensive income will reflect:
• 20X1 – 20X3: a depreciation expense of 30 000 and grant income of C4 000 (net decrease in
profits: 26 000 per year).
Example 5: grant related to a depreciable asset – indirect approach
The government grants a company a cash sum of C12 000 on 1 January 20X1 to assist in the
acquisition of a nuclear plant. The nuclear plant:
• was acquired on 2 January 20X1 for C90 000;
• was available for use immediately; and
• has a useful life of 3 years (the plant has a nil residual value).
The grant was received after compliance with certain conditions in 20X0 (the prior year).
All conditions attached to the grant, with the exception of the acquisition of the plant, had all
been met on date of receipt.
Required:
Show the journal entries in the years ended 31 December 20X1, 20X2 and 20X3. The
company has the policy of recognising government grants indirectly in income (i.e. as a
reduction of the cost of the asset).
390 Chapter 12
9. Gripping IFRS Government grants and government assistance
Solution to example 5: grant related to a depreciable asset – indirect approach
1 January 20X1 Debit Credit
Bank 12 000
Deferred grant income 12 000
Recognising a government grant intended to assist in the acquisition
of a nuclear plant
2 January 20X1
Nuclear plant: cost (asset) 90 000
Bank 90 000
Purchase of plant
Deferred grant income 12 000
Nuclear plant: cost (asset) 12 000
Recognising the government grant as a reduction of the plant’s cost
31 December 20X1
Depreciation - plant (expense) (90 000 – 12 000 – 0) / 3 years 26 000
Nuclear plant: accumulated depreciation (asset) 26 000
Depreciation on plant
31 December 20X2
Depreciation - plant (expense) (90 000 – 12 000 – 0) / 3 years 26 000
Nuclear plant: accumulated depreciation (asset) 26 000
Depreciation on plant
31 December 20X3
Depreciation - plant (expense) (90 000 – 12 000 – 0) / 3 years 26 000
Nuclear plant: accumulated depreciation (asset) 26 000
Depreciation on plant
Note: the statement of comprehensive income will reflect:
• 20X1 – 20X3: a depreciation expense of 26 000 (net decrease in profits: 26 000 per year).
Compare this to example 4.
If the grant relates to the cost of a non-depreciable asset, the grant should be recognised on a
basis that best reflects the manner in which the conditions are met.
Example 6: grant related to a non-depreciable asset – direct approach
The government grants a company a cash sum of C12 000 on 1 January 20X1 to assist in the
acquisition of land. A condition of the grant is that the company builds a factory on the land.
The land was acquired on 1 January 20X1 for C90 000. Land is not depreciated. The factory
was completed on 31 March 20X1 (total building costs of C300 000 were paid in cash on this
date), was available for use immediately and has a useful life of 3 years (the factory has a nil
residual value).
The grant was received after compliance with certain conditions in 20X0 (the prior year).
With the exception of the completion of a factory building, all conditions attaching to the
grant had all been met on date of receipt.
Required:
Show the journal entries in the years ended 31 December 20X1, 20X2, 20X3 and 20X4. The
company’s policy is to recognise grants directly in income.
391 Chapter 12
10. Gripping IFRS Government grants and government assistance
Solution to example 6: grant related to a non-depreciable asset – direct approach
1 January 20X1 Debit Credit
Bank 12 000
Deferred grant income 12 000
Government grant received to assist in the acquisition of land
Land: cost 90 000
Bank 90 000
Purchase of land
31 March 20X1
Factory building: cost 300 000
Bank 300 000
Building costs related to factory, paid in cash
31 December 20X1
Depreciation – factory building (300 000 – 0) / 3 years x 9 / 12 75 000
Factory building: accumulated depreciation 75 000
Depreciation of factory building
Deferred grant income 12 000 / 3 years x 9 / 12 3 000
Grant income 3 000
Grant income recognised on the same basis as depreciation on the
factory building
31 December 20X2
Depreciation – factory building (300 000 – 0) / 3 years 100 000
Factory building: accumulated depreciation 100 000
Depreciation of factory building
Deferred grant income 12 000 / 3 years 4 000
Grant income 4 000
Grant income recognised on the same basis as depreciation on the
factory building
31 December 20X3
Depreciation – factory building (300 000 – 0) / 3 years 100 000
Factory building: accumulated depreciation 100 000
Depreciation of factory building
Deferred grant income 12 000 / 3 years 4 000
Grant income 4 000
Grant income recognised on the same basis as depreciation on the
factory building
31 December 20X4
Depreciation – factory building (300 000 – 0) / 3 years x 3 / 12 25 000
Factory building: accumulated depreciation 25 000
Depreciation of factory building
Deferred grant income 12 000 / 3 years x 3 / 12 1 000
Grant income 1 000
Grant income recognised on the same basis as depreciation on the
factory building
392 Chapter 12
11. Gripping IFRS Government grants and government assistance
3.4 Grants received as a package (IAS 20.19)
If the grant is received as a package to which a number of varying sets of conditions are
attached, it may be appropriate to recognise each part of the grant on a different basis. The
first step is to identify each part of the package to which there are different conditions
affecting when the grant is earned.
The grant may, for instance, relate to a combination of:
• an asset
• future expenses
• past expenses
• immediate financial support.
In such cases, the grant package may be viewed as multiple parts. The grant relating to:
• the asset should be recognised as income in a way that reflects the pattern of depreciation;
• future expenses should be recognised as income in a way that reflects the pattern of future
expenses;
• past expenses should be recognised as income in the period in which the grant becomes
receivable;
• general and immediate financial support should be recognised as income in the period in
which the grant becomes receivable.
Example 7: grant is a package deal
The government grants a company a cash sum of C120 000 on 1 January 20X1. The grant
relates to two aspects:
• C30 000 is a cash sum as immediate financial support with no associated future costs;
• C90 000 is to assist in the future acquisition of vehicles.
The vehicles were acquired on 2 January 20X1 for C210 000. The vehicles were available for
use immediately and have a useful life of 3 years (the vehicles all have nil residual values).
With the exception of the purchase of the vehicles, all conditions attaching to the grant had all
been met on date of receipt.
Required:
Show the journal entries in the years ended 31 December 20X1, 20X2 and 20X3.
Solution to example 7: grant is a package deal
1 January 20X1 Debit Credit
Bank 120 000
Deferred grant income 120 000
Recognising a government grant: package deal
Deferred grant income 30 000
Grant income 30 000
Portion of grant income recognised immediately – not attached to any
asset or future expenses and all criteria met in a prior year: 30 000
2 January 20X1
Vehicles: cost 210 000
Bank 210 000
Purchase of vehicles
31 December 20X1
Depreciation – vehicles (210 000 – 0) / 3 years 70 000
Vehicles: accumulated depreciation 70 000
Depreciation of vehicles
393 Chapter 12
12. Gripping IFRS Government grants and government assistance
31 December 20X1 continued … Debit Credit
Deferred grant income (120 000 – 30 000) / 3 years 30 000
Grant income 30 000
Portion of grant income related to purchase of vehicles recognised on
the same basis as vehicle depreciation
31 December 20X2
Depreciation – vehicles (210 000 – 0) / 3 years 70 000
Vehicles: accumulated depreciation 70 000
Depreciation of vehicles
Deferred grant income (120 000 – 30 000) / 3 years 30 000
Grant income 30 000
Portion of grant income related to purchase of vehicles recognised on
the same basis as vehicle depreciation
31 December 20X3
Depreciation – vehicles (210 000 – 0) / 3 years 70 000
Vehicles: accumulated depreciation 70 000
Depreciation of vehicles
Deferred grant income (120 000 – 30 000) / 3 years 30 000
Grant income 30 000
Portion of grant income related to purchase of vehicles recognised on
the same basis as vehicle depreciation
4. Measurement (IAS 20.23)
Remember that government grants can be analysed into two basic categories. Either the
company is granted:
• an asset such as a fishing licence; or
• cash (or some other asset)
o to be used in the acquisition of another asset; or
o to be used in the reduction of certain expenditure.
Where the grant is a cash sum, the measurement thereof is not in question. If, however, the
company is granted an asset such as a licence to operate, the company may either measure the
grant at its fair value or at the nominal cost thereof, being the directly attributable
expenditure, if any (in which case, the government grant is not measured at all).
Example 8: grant asset – fair value or nominal amount
A South African government grants the company a licence to fish off the coast of Cape Town,
South Africa. The fair value of the licence is C50 000 and the company is required to pay a
small sum of C1 000 for the licence.
Required:
Show the journal entries assuming:
A. The company chooses to measure the licence at its fair value.
B. The company chooses to measure the licence at its nominal amount.
Solution to example 8A: grant asset – fair value
Debit Credit
Fishing licence (asset) Given 50 000
Deferred fishing income 50 000 – 1 000 49 000
Bank Given 1 000
Recognising the licence granted by the government at fair value
394 Chapter 12
13. Gripping IFRS Government grants and government assistance
Solution to example 8B: grant asset – nominal amount
Debit Credit
Fishing licence (asset) Given 1 000
Bank Given 1 000
Recognising the licence granted by the government at nominal value
5. Changes in estimates and repayments (IAS 20.32)
A change in estimate may be required:
• if the grant is received after acquisition of the asset (because this may change the cost of
the asset and therefore changes depreciation),
• if the grant is provided on certain conditions and these conditions are later breached.
A change in estimate must be accounted for using IAS 8. Where the grant has to be repaid the
treatment depends on whether the grant related to expenses or assets.
If the original grant related to expenses, the repayment of the grant is debited:
• first against the balance on the deferred income account, if any; and
• then to an expense account.
If the original grant related to an asset, the repayment of the grant is debited either:
• to the balance on the deferred income account, if any; or
• to the balance on the asset account; and
• the cumulative additional depreciation that would have been recognised to date had the
grant not been received is recognised immediately as an expense.
If a grant becomes repayable, it could also suggest related assets may be impaired.
Example 9: grant related to expenses – repaid
The local government granted the company C10 000 on 1 January 20X1 to assist in the
financing of mining expenses. The grant was conditional upon the company mining for a
period of at least two years.
The company ceased mining on 30 September 20X2 due to unforeseen circumstances. The
terms of the grant required that the grant be repaid immediately and in full.
Mining expenses incurred to date were as follows:
• 20X1: 80 000
• 20X2: 60 000
Required:
Show the journal entries assuming:
A. The company recognises grants directly as ‘grant income’.
B. The company recognises grants indirectly as income by reducing the related expense.
Solution to example 9A: grant related to expenses – repaid
1 January 20X1 Debit Credit
Bank 10 000
Deferred grant income 10 000
Recognising a government grant intended to reduce future expenses
395 Chapter 12
14. Gripping IFRS Government grants and government assistance
31 December 20X1 Debit Credit
Mining expenditure 80 000
Accounts payable 80 000
Mining expenditure incurred
Deferred grant income 10 000 x 50% x 12 / 12 5 000
Grant income 5 000
Recognising 50% of the government grant since the condition is the
company mines for 2 years and 1 of the 2 years has been met
30 September 20X2
Mining expenditure 60 000
Accounts payable 60 000
Mining expenditure incurred
Deferred grant income 10 000 x 50% x 9 / 12 3 750
Grant income 3 750
Recognising 9 months of the remaining 50% of the government grant
since the condition is the company mines for 2 years and only 9
months of year 2 has been met
Deferred grant income 10 000 – 5 000 – 3 750 1 250
Grant income forfeited 10 000 – 1 250 8 750
Bank 1 250 + 8 750 10 000
Repayment of the full grant, first reducing the balance on the deferred
income account and then expensing the rest
Solution to example 9B: grant related to expenses – repaid
1 January 20X1 Debit Credit
Bank 10 000
Deferred grant income 10 000
Recognising a government grant intended to reduce future expenses
31 December 20X1
Mining expenditure 80 000
Accounts payable 80 000
Mining expenditure incurred
Deferred grant income 10 000 x 50% x 12 / 12 5 000
Mining expenditure 5 000
Recognising 50% of the government grant since the condition is the
company mines for 2 years and 1 of the 2 years has been met
30 September 20X2
Mining expenditure 60 000
Accounts payable 60 000
Mining expenditure incurred
Deferred grant income 10 000 x 50% x 9 / 12 3 750
Mining expenditure 3 750
Recognising 9 months of the remaining 50% of the government grant
since the condition is the company mines for 2 years and only 9
months of year 2 has been met
Deferred grant income 10 000 – 5 000 – 3 750 1 250
Mining expenditure 10 000 – 1 250 8 750
Bank Given 10 000
Repayment of the full grant, first reducing the balance on the deferred
income account and then expensing the rest
396 Chapter 12
15. Gripping IFRS Government grants and government assistance
Note: part A and part B differ simply in the naming of the accounts:
• Part A: the grant was originally recognised as ‘grant income’ and therefore it makes sense that
any expense related to the repayment of the grant should also refer to the grant income (e.g. an
appropriate name might be ‘grant income forfeited’) ;
• Part B: the grant is recognised as a reduction in ‘mining expenses’ and therefore it makes sense
that any expense related to the repayment of the grant be to the same ‘mining expense’ account.
Example 10: grant related to assets – repaid
The local government granted the company C10 000 on 1 January 20X1 to assist in the
purchase of a manufacturing plant. The grant was conditional upon the company
manufacturing for a period of at least two unbroken years.
The company purchased the plant on 2 January 20X1 for C100 000. The plant is depreciated
on the straight-line basis over its useful life of 4 years to a nil residual value.
The company ceased manufacturing on 30 September 20X2 due to unforeseen circumstances.
The terms of the grant required that the grant be repaid immediately and in full. The asset
was not considered to be impaired and the company intended to resume manufacturing in the
next year.
Required:
Show the journal entries assuming that the company:
A. recognises grants as grant income (direct income).
B. recognises grants as a reduction of the cost of the related asset (indirect income).
Solution to example 10A: grant related to assets – repaid
1 January 20X1 Debit Credit
Bank 10 000
Deferred grant income 10 000
Recognising a government grant
2 January 20X1
Plant: cost 100 000
Accounts payable/ bank 100 000
Purchase of plant
31 December 20X1
Depreciation - plant (100 000 – 0) / 4 years x 12 / 12 25 000
Plant: accumulated depreciation 25 000
Depreciation of plant
Deferred grant income 10 000 / 4 years x 12 / 12 2 500
Grant income 2 500
Recognising 25% of the government grant since the grant relates to
the acquisition of an asset that is depreciated over 4 years
30 September 20X2
Depreciation - plant (100 000 – 0) / 4 years x 9 / 12 18 750
Plant: accumulated depreciation 18 750
Depreciation of plant: (manufacture ceases on 30 September 20X2)
Deferred grant income 10 000 / 4 years x 9 / 12 1 875
Grant income 1 875
Recognising 9 months of the remaining 75% of the government grant
to the date of repayment of the grant
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16. Gripping IFRS Government grants and government assistance
30 September 20X2 continued … Debit Credit
Deferred grant income 10 000 – 2 500 – 1 875 5 625
Grant forfeited expense 10 000 – 5 625 (balancing) 4 375
Bank Given 10 000
Repayment of the full grant, first reducing the balance on the deferred
income account and then expensing the rest
Solution to example 10B: grant related to assets – repaid
1 January 20X1 Debit Credit
Bank 10 000
Deferred grant income 10 000
Recognising a government grant
2 January 20X1
Plant: cost 100 000
Accounts payable/ bank 100 000
Purchase of plant
Deferred grant income 10 000
Plant: cost 10 000
Recognising the grant income as a decrease in the asset’s cost
31 December 20X1
Depreciation - plant (100 000 –10 000 – 0) / 4 years x 12 / 12 22 500
Plant: accumulated depreciation 22 500
Depreciation of plant:
30 September 20X2
Depreciation - plant (100 000 – 10 000 – 0) / 4 years x 9 / 12 16 875
Plant: accumulated depreciation 16 875
Depreciation of plant: (manufacture ceases on 30 September 20X2)
Plant: cost Original grant refunded 10 000
Bank 10 000
Depreciation - plant W1: 2 500 + 1 875 4 375
Plant: accumulated depreciation W1: 2 500 + 1 875 4 375
Repayment of the full grant: increase cost and increase accumulated
depreciation with extra cumulative depreciation that would otherwise
have been expensed if no grant had been received on 1 January 20X1
W1: Change in estimate calculation
Date Calculations Was Is Difference
Cost 1/1/X1 100 000 – 10 000 9 100 000 10 000
0 000
Depreciation X1 (90 000 – 0) / 4 x 1 (22 500) (25 000) (2 500)
(100 000 – 0) / x 1
Carrying amount 31/12/X1 67 500 75 000 7 500
Depreciation X2 (90 000 – 0) / 4 x 9 / 12 (16 875) (18 750) (1 875)
(100 000 – 0) /4 x 9/ 12
Carrying amount 31/12/X1 50 625 56 250 5 625
Depreciation Future (50 625) (56 250) (5 625)
Residual value 0 0 0
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17. Gripping IFRS Government grants and government assistance
6. Disclosure (IAS 20.39)
The following issues must be disclosed:
• Accounting policy regarding both recognition and method of presentation, for example:
- Government grants are recognised as income over the period to which the grant
applies and in a manner that reflects the pattern of expected future expenditure; and
- The grant is presented as a decrease in the expenditure to which it relates (or: the
grant is presented as a separate line item: grant income).;
• The nature and extent of government grants recognised in the financial statements;
• An indication of other forms of government assistance not recognised as government
grants but from which the entity has benefited directly (e.g. low or no interest loans and
assistance that cannot reasonably have a value placed upon them);
• Unfulfilled conditions and other contingencies attached to recognised government grants.
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18. Gripping IFRS Government grants and government assistance
7. Summary
Government assistance
Government grants Other government assistance
Monetary grants, for example: Where value cannot be reasonably
Forgivable loans or cash to be used to: allocated, for example:
• Purchase an asset • Free technical advice
• Pay for expenses • Loans at no or low interest
• Reimbursement of past costs/
losses
• Financial assistance Transactions that can’t be separated
from normal trading activities, for
Non-monetary grants, for example: example:
• Land or • Government procurement policy that
• Licence to operate accounts for a portion of sales
Recognised Recognised
Yes No
When there is reasonable assurance that
the:
• entity will comply with the conditions
and
• grant will be received
Disclosed Disclosed
Yes Yes
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19. Gripping IFRS Government grants and government assistance
Government grants
Non-monetary Monetary
Measurement Measurement
Fair value of asset granted Fair value of monetary asset granted
OR (i.e. cash amount received or receivable)
Nominal amount paid (if any)
Recognition:
Recognised as income
over the period of the grant/ useful life of the asset:
Through either:
Direct method:
recognised as grant income
Indirect method:
reduction in expense
reduction in asset cost (reduces depreciation charge)
Non-monetary Monetary
Initial journal Initial journal
Debit: Debit:
• Non-monetary asset (e.g. land) • bank
Credit: Credit:
• Bank (nominal amount if any) • income (deferred/ realised)
Grant income (deferred or realised: fair OR Asset
• asset
value – nominal amount) acquired
• income (deferred/ realised) Future
OR expenses
• expense
Past expense
• income (deferred/ realised) past losses or
OR immediate
• expense
assistance
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