Understanding Intangible Assets and Amortization Expense

Using this technique to spread your business’s payments of intangible assets or loans over time will reduce taxes for your business for the current tax year. For however long you are using that asset, you are entitled to a deduction on your taxes. There are typically two types of amortisation in accounting- for loans (including principal and interest payments) and intangible assets. Intangible assets are often amortized over time rather than all at once depending on the life of the asset.

A business that uses this option is building equity in the loaned asset while paying off the item at the same time. At the end of the amortised period, the borrower will own the asset outright. The articles and research support materials available on this site are educational and are not intended to be investment or tax advice. All such information is amortization refers to the cost allocation for provided solely for convenience purposes only and all users thereof should be guided accordingly. Commonly, the amortization expense entry records a credit to the asset account instead of a contra asset account. However, the process for determining useful lives and selecting allocation methods is more difficult compared to the case of depreciation.

Using the Accumulated Depreciation Method

Depreciation, on the other hand, would have a credit placed in the contra asset accumulated depreciation. This is especially true when comparing depreciation to the amortization of a loan. When it comes to allocating asset costs over time, amortization plays a significant role. The AVR (Accelerated Cost Recovery) method of amortization is a popular option for businesses looking to maximize tax benefits. In this section, we will explore examples of AVR amortization in practice, highlighting its benefits and drawbacks. Amortization and asset allocation are both important concepts that businesses and investors should understand.

This percentage is then multiplied by the gross yearly income of the company to calculate the depletion charge for the year. Businesses can choose from one of the different depreciation calculation methods available. However, they must remain consistent throughout an accounting period and any changes should reflect consistently.

What Is Amortization?

Patents, copyrights, and licenses are good examples of intangible assets that can be amortized. Because all of these items come with expiration dates, it’s possible to calculate how much of each asset has been used up at any given point in time. When it comes to allocating asset costs over time, choosing the right amortization method is crucial. Amortization is the process of spreading out the cost of an asset over its useful life. The method you choose will affect how much you allocate to expenses each year and how much you allocate to the value of the asset. There are several factors to consider when choosing an amortization method, including the assets useful life, the cost of the asset, and the accounting standards you follow.