Treatment of Goodwill Arising on Amalgamation :
Goodwill arising on amalgamation represents a payment made in anticipation of future income and it is appropriate to treat it as an asset to be amortised to income on a systematic basis over its useful life. Due to the nature of goodwill, it is frequently difficult to estimate its useful life with reasonable certainty. Such estimation is, therefore, made on a prudent basis. Accordingly, it is considered appropriate to amortise goodwill over a period not exceeding five years unless a somewhat longer period can be justified.
Factors which may be considered in estimating the useful life of goodwill arising on amalgamation include:
(a) the foreseeable life of the business or industry;
(b) the effects of product obsolescence, changes in demand and other economic factors;
(c) the service life expectancies of key individuals or groups of employees;
(d) expected actions by competitors or potential competitors; and
(e) legal, regulatory or contractual provisions affecting the useful life.