Impairment test
The impairment test ( English impairment test ) is a test for evaluation of fixed assets . The US-GAAP and IFRS accounting regulations require a periodic assessment of possible impairment. The aim is that the assets do not exceed their recoverable value ( english recoverable amount ) are accounted for.
One-step test according to IAS / IFRS
The impairment test is regulated in IAS 36 . An impairment test is generally carried out for each asset as soon as there are internal or external signs of impairment in accordance with IAS 36.12. Assets that fall within the scope of other IFRS regulations are excluded from this regulation. These are explicitly mentioned in IAS 2 and have their own requirements for an impairment test. An annual impairment test must be carried out for intangible and not yet ready-to-use intangible assets, as well as for goodwill, even if there are no signs of impairment.
This checks whether the book value is above the recoverable amount. The recoverable amount is the higher of the net sales price and the value in use . The difference is the depreciation amount . This amount by which the book value exceeds the recoverable amount (which is the higher of the fair value less selling costs and the value in use, which results from the discounted cash flows), leads to an impairment loss (IAS 36.59).
Two-stage test under US GAAP
The impairment test is regulated in SFAS 142.
In the first stage, the fair value of the property is determined and compared with the book value of the property. If the fair value is lower than the book value, the second stage of the test is carried out. Here the amount of the difference is determined. The positive difference is the depreciation amount .
literature
- Jens Reinke: Impairment test according to IAS 36: Basics, implementation, potential for closing deals. Erich Schmidt Verlag, Berlin 2010, ISBN 978-3-503-12092-5 .
- Jens Zink: Disclosure Compliance using the example of goodwill. 1st edition, GRIN Verlag, Munich 2019, ISBN 978-3-346-08243-5 .
