Sale of Plant Assets: Videos & Practice Problems

When a company disposes of a fixed asset, it can do so at any point during its useful life, not just after full depreciation. The financial impact of this disposal is determined by comparing the cash received from the sale to the asset's net book value. The net book value is calculated as the original cost of the asset minus its accumulated depreciation:

Net Book Value = Cost - Accumulated Depreciation

If the cash proceeds from the sale exceed the net book value, the company realizes a gain. Conversely, if the cash received is less than the net book value, a loss is incurred. If the proceeds equal the net book value, there is neither a gain nor a loss, as the asset's value on the balance sheet is simply exchanged for cash.

These gains and losses are recorded on the income statement under the "other income" section, separate from operational revenues and expenses. This distinction is important for accurately reflecting the company's financial performance.

In terms of accounting entries, when a fixed asset like equipment is sold, the equipment account is decreased to remove the asset from the books. The accumulated depreciation account, which is a contra asset account, is also decreased to reflect the removal of the asset's depreciation. The cash account increases by the amount received from the sale, regardless of whether it results in a gain or loss.

To summarize the accounting treatment:

• When equipment is purchased, the equipment account increases.
• When equipment is sold, the equipment account decreases, and the accumulated depreciation account is also decreased.
• Cash increases by the proceeds from the sale.
• Gains from the sale are recorded as credits, increasing net income, while losses are recorded as debits, decreasing net income.

This framework allows for a clear understanding of how asset disposals affect financial statements and the overall financial health of a company.

When a company sells machinery, it must account for the transaction by considering the initial cost, accumulated depreciation, and the cash received. In this example, ABC Company sold machinery that had an initial cost of $20,000 for $8,000. The machinery had accumulated depreciation of $15,000, which affects its net book value.

The net book value of the machinery can be calculated as follows:

Net Book Value = Initial Cost - Accumulated Depreciation

Net Book Value = $20,000 - $15,000 = $5,000

Upon selling the machinery, ABC Company received $8,000 in cash. This transaction requires several journal entries to accurately reflect the changes in the accounts:

1. **Debit Cash** for the amount received:
Debit Cash: $8,000

2. **Credit Machinery** to remove it from the books:
Credit Machinery: $20,000

3. **Debit Accumulated Depreciation** to eliminate the contra asset account:
Debit Accumulated Depreciation: $15,000

After these entries, the total debits amount to $23,000 ($8,000 cash + $15,000 accumulated depreciation), while the total credits only equal $20,000 (from the machinery). To balance the accounts, a credit for the gain on sale must be recorded:

4. **Credit Gain on Sale** for the difference:
Credit Gain on Sale: $3,000

This gain is calculated as follows:

Gain on Sale = Cash Received - Net Book Value

Gain on Sale = $8,000 - $5,000 = $3,000

In summary, the journal entries reflect the increase in cash and the removal of the machinery and its accumulated depreciation from the books. The overall effect on assets shows an increase of $3,000, which corresponds to the gain recognized in the income statement. This transaction illustrates the importance of accurately recording asset sales and understanding their impact on financial statements.

When a company sells an asset, such as machinery, it is essential to calculate the depreciation before the sale to determine the net book value of the asset. In this scenario, ABC Company sold machinery on July 1, 2009, which was originally purchased on January 1, 2008, for $52,000. The machinery had an estimated useful life of 10 years and a salvage value of $2,000. Using the straight-line method for depreciation, the annual depreciation expense can be calculated as follows:

Depreciation Expense = \(\frac{\text{Cost} - \text{Salvage Value}}{\text{Useful Life}} = \frac{52,000 - 2,000}{10} = 5,000\).

For the year 2008, the company would record a full year of depreciation, resulting in an accumulated depreciation of $5,000. In 2009, since the machinery was sold halfway through the year, only half of the annual depreciation is applicable, which amounts to $2,500. Therefore, the total accumulated depreciation by the time of sale is:

Total Accumulated Depreciation = $5,000 (2008) + $2,500 (2009) = $7,500.

To record the sale of the machinery, the journal entry must reflect the cash received, the removal of accumulated depreciation, and the cost of the machinery. The cash received from the sale was $36,000. The journal entry would include:

• Debit Cash: $36,000
• Debit Accumulated Depreciation: $7,500
• Credit Machinery: $52,000

Next, to determine if there was a gain or loss on the sale, we need to calculate the net book value of the machinery at the time of sale:

Net Book Value = Cost - Accumulated Depreciation = $52,000 - $7,500 = $44,500.

Since the machinery was sold for $36,000, the loss on the sale can be calculated as:

Loss on Sale = Net Book Value - Cash Received = $44,500 - $36,000 = $8,500.

This loss must be recorded in the journal entry to balance the debits and credits. The final journal entry will include:

• Debit Cash: $36,000
• Debit Accumulated Depreciation: $7,500
• Debit Loss on Sale: $8,500
• Credit Machinery: $52,000

In summary, the sale of the machinery resulted in a loss of $8,500, which reflects a decrease in equity on the income statement. This comprehensive approach ensures that all aspects of the transaction are accurately recorded, maintaining the integrity of the accounting equation.