Amortisation on Intangible Assets
1. Amortisation Period
The depreciable amount of an intangible asset should be allocated on a systematic basis over the best estimate of its useful life. There is a rebuttable presumption that the useful life of an intangible asset will not exceed ten years from the date when the asset is available for use. Amortisation should commence when the asset is available for use.
As the future economic benefits embodied in an intangible asset are consumed over time, the carrying amount of the asset is reduced to reflect that consumption. This is achieved by systematic allocation of the cost of the asset, less any residual value, as an expense over the asset’s useful life. Amortisation is recognised whether or not there has been an increase in, for example, the asset’s fair value or recoverable amount.
Given the history of rapid changes in technology, computer software and many other intangible assets are susceptible to technological obsolescence. Therefore, it is likely that their useful life will be short.
If control over the future economic benefits from an intangible asset is achieved through legal rights that have been granted for a finite period, the useful life of the intangible asset should not exceed the period of the legal rights unless:
(a) the legal rights are renewable; and
(b) renewal is virtually certain.
The following factors, among others, indicate that renewal of a legal right is virtually certain:
(a) the fair value of the intangible asset is not expected to reduce as the initial expiry date approaches, or is not expected to reduce by more than the cost of renewing the underlying right;
(b) there is evidence (possibly based on past experience) that the legal rights will be renewed; and
(c) there is evidence that the conditions necessary to obtain the renewal of the legal right (if any) will be satisfied.
2. Amortisation Method
The amortisation method used should reflect the pattern in which the asset’s economic benefits are consumed by the enterprise. If that pattern cannot be determined reliably, the straight-line method should be used. The amortisation charge for each period should be recognised as an expense unless some Accounting Standard permits or requires it to be included in the carrying amount of another asset.
Amortisation is usually recognised as an expense. However, sometimes, the economic benefits embodied in an asset are absorbed by the enterprise in producing other assets rather than giving rise to an expense. In these cases, the amortisation charge forms part of the cost of the other asset and is included in its carrying amount. For example, the amortisation of intangible assets used in a production process is included in the carrying amount of inventories.
3. Residual Value
The residual value of an intangible asset should be assumed to be zero unless:
(a) there is a commitment by a third party to purchase the asset at the end of its useful life; or
(b) there is an active market for the asset and:
(i) residual value can be determined by reference to that market; and
(ii) it is probable that such a market will exist at the end of the asset’s useful life.
4. Review of Amortisation Period and Amortisation Method
The amortisation period and the amortisation method should be reviewed at least at each financial year end. If the expected useful life of the asset is significantly different from previous estimates, the amortisation period should be changed accordingly. If there has been a significant change in the expected pattern of economic benefits from the asset, the amortisation method should be changed to reflect the changed pattern. Such changes should be accounted for in accordance with AS 5, Net Profit or Loss for the Period, Prior Period Items and Changes in Accounting Policies.