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In accounting, the revenue recognition principle states that revenues are earned and recognized when they are realized or realizable, no matter when cash is received. It is a cornerstone of accrual accounting together with the matching principle. Together, they determine the accounting period in which revenues and expenses are recognized. [1]
A deferred expense (also known as a prepaid expense or prepayment) is an asset representing costs that have been paid but not yet recognized as expenses according to the matching principle. For example, when accounting periods are monthly, an 11/12 portion of an annually paid insurance cost is recorded as prepaid expenses.
The accounting for long term contracts using the percentage of completion method is an exception to the basic realization principle. This method is used wherein the revenues are determined based on the costs incurred so far. The percentage of completion method is used when: Collections are assured; The accounting system can: Estimate profitability
Realization is generally straightforward, but there are instances at the margins in which the moment of realization can be tricky. One example of a tricky realization situation that has given rise to substantial debate is the 62nd home run ball hit by Mark McGwire. The ball was retrieved by a grounds crewman, Tim Forneris.
The installment sales method, is used to recognize revenue after the sale has occurred and when sales are stipulated under very extended cash collection terms. [3] In general, when the risk of not being able to collect is reasonably high and when there is no reasonable basis for estimating the proportion of installment accounts, revenue recognition is deferred, and the installment sales method ...
For example, if a service contract is paid quarterly in advance, the remaining two months at the end of the first month are considered a deferred expense. The prepaid amount is then recognized as an expense in subsequent accounting periods, with the corresponding amount deducted from the prepayment.
Amount realized, in US federal income tax law, is defined by section 1001(b) of Internal Revenue Code. It is one of two variables in the formula used to compute gains and losses to determine gross income for income tax purposes. The excess of the amount realized over the adjusted basis is the amount of realized gain (if positive) or realized ...
In practice, changes in the market value of assets (negative) or liabilities (positive) are recognized as losses while, for example, interest or charitable contributions are recognized as other expenses. Income is the term generally used when referring to revenue and gains together. A separate term for the aggregation of expenses and losses ...