Features of fixed asset accounting in 2021

Introductory information

Starting from January 2021, low-value fixed assets are reflected differently in accounting and tax accounting.
Maintain tax and accounting records of fixed assets according to the new rules

In tax accounting, a new version of paragraph 1 of Article 257 of the Tax Code of the Russian Federation is used, according to which fixed assets are recognized as means of labor with an initial cost of over 100 thousand rubles. Accordingly, cheaper objects are not classified as fixed assets, and their cost is written off as current expenses. Let us recall that this distinction applies to property that was put into operation on January 1, 2021 and later (see “Changes to the Tax Code of the Russian Federation: the cost of depreciable property and fixed assets has been increased, and a new revenue limit has been introduced for the payment of quarterly advances on income tax ").

Accounting rules allow the recording of fixed assets, the initial cost of which does not exceed the established limit, as part of inventories. The limit is 40 thousand rubles (clause 5 of PBU 6/01 “Accounting for fixed assets”). This means that objects up to 40 thousand rubles can be taken into account in one of two ways: either as fixed assets or as inventories. As for property worth 40 thousand rubles or more, there is no choice for it - in any case, it is reflected as a fixed asset.

For clarity, we have compared in the table the rules according to which, starting from 2016, fixed assets should be taken into account in tax and accounting.

How do the fixed asset accounting rules in force in NU and in accounting compare?

Accrual of depreciation of fixed assets in 2021

Since the beginning of January of this year (from the 1st day), new rules and norms for posting depreciation of fixed assets have come into force (changes in the Federal Law of the Russian Federation No. 150 from the middle of last 2015). Now AOS wiring is available only for objects exceeding 100 thousand rubles. If the amount is below the specified value, they are written off as materials immediately upon receipt. Provided that the amount is smaller, but the established SPI is over one year (12 months), then the possibility of a standard posting rate as an AOS using the selected method is allowed.

Accelerated: calculation example

The Tax Code (Tax Code of the Russian Federation) makes it possible for some taxpayers to take advantage of the accelerated depreciation rate. This wiring method is relevant for industries such as scientific and technical activities. This allows you to speed up the write-off process (depreciation transfer) in order to update funds more frequently. There are two types of acceleration factors: 2 and 3. But the latter cannot be applied when leasing.

If, according to the characteristics of the object, it is possible to use both increasing coefficients of fixed assets, then only one of them can be used for posting, and the choice can be made by the enterprise itself (usually the maximum is selected).

When temporary differences occur

For each object that is reflected differently in accounting than in tax accounting, it is necessary to show the difference. This requirement is established in PBU 18/02 “Accounting for calculations of corporate income tax.”

In this case, the difference will be temporary, because at the end of the useful life the initial cost of the object will be written off both in the NU and in the accounting book. Consequently, the discrepancies between both types of accounting will eventually be reduced to zero (read more about this in the article “How to apply PBU 18/02 “Accounting for corporate income tax calculations” in practice)”).

This applies to all fixed assets without exception, the initial cost of which falls in the range from 40 thousand rubles to 100 thousand rubles inclusive. Also, temporary differences appear if in the company’s accounting, objects worth less than 40 thousand rubles are reflected as part of fixed assets, and not as part of inventories.

What transactions need to be created?

Since when reflecting low-value fixed assets in tax accounting, the initial cost is written off immediately, and in accounting gradually through depreciation, the “tax” profit turns out to be less than the “accounting” profit. This means that the temporary difference is taxable. A deferred tax liability (DTL) arises, which is shown in the debit of account 68 and the credit of account 77. The amount of DTL is equal to the taxable temporary difference multiplied by the income tax rate (20%).

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When calculating monthly depreciation, on the contrary, the “tax” profit exceeds the “accounting” profit, because depreciation deductions are made in accounting, but in NU they are not. This creates a temporary difference that is deductible. It generates a deferred tax asset (DTA), which is shown in the debit of account 09 and the credit of account 68. The value of DTA is equal to the deductible temporary difference multiplied by the income tax rate.

Example 1

In February 2021, a trading organization acquired a fixed asset with an initial cost of RUB 86,400. and a useful life of 4 years (which is 48 months). In the same month, the facility was registered and put into operation.

In accounting, the object is reflected as a fixed asset. According to the accounting policy, the linear depreciation method is used for accounting purposes. The accountant has determined that the annual depreciation rate is 25% (100%: 4 years). Accordingly, the annual amount of depreciation is equal to 21,600 rubles (86,400 rubles x 25%), and the monthly amount is 1,800 rubles (21,600 rubles: 12 months).

In February 2021, the accountant made the following entry: DEBIT 01 CREDIT 08 – 86,400 rubles. — the fixed asset is accepted for accounting.

In tax accounting, the initial cost is completely written off as current expenses. As a result, a taxable temporary difference was created in the amount of RUB 86,400.

The accountant made the entry: DEBIT 68 CREDIT 77 - 17,280 rubles (86,400 x 20%) - IT is reflected.

In the period from March 2021 to February 2023 (48 months in total), the accountant calculates depreciation monthly and makes the following entry: DEBIT 44 CREDIT 02 - 1,800 rubles. - depreciation has been calculated.

In this case, a deductible temporary difference arises in the amount of RUB 1,800. In this regard, a monthly posting is made: DEBIT 77 CREDIT 68 - 360 rubles (1,800 rubles x 20%) - IT is repaid.

At the end of its useful life, it is fully repaid.

Low-value property: tax accounting

Low-value property: tax accounting.

In tax accounting, depreciable property and fixed assets include property that is owned by an organization (unless otherwise provided by Chapter 25 of the Tax Code of the Russian Federation), used by it to generate income, the useful life of which is more than 12 months and the initial cost is more than 100 000 rub.

In this case, the initial cost of such property is determined as the sum of expenses for its acquisition, construction, manufacturing, delivery and bringing it to a state in which it is suitable for use, minus VAT and excise taxes, except for the cases provided for by the Tax Code of the Russian Federation.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION! The new cost criterion applies to objects put into operation from January 1, 2016 (until 2021, the minimum initial cost of depreciable property was more than 40,000 rubles). If the initial cost of the acquired property with a useful life of more than 12 months is 100,000 rubles. and less, such property is NOT depreciable. Therefore, the costs of acquiring such a “low value” property and bringing it to a state suitable for use can be taken into account as part of material expenses when calculating income tax on the date of its commissioning. Let us recall that for profit tax purposes, expenses are recognized as justified and documented expenses incurred by an organization to carry out activities aimed at generating income. Expenses for the acquisition of non-depreciable property are confirmed by primary documents drawn up in accordance with the legislation of the Russian Federation, that is, the Law “On Accounting” or documents drawn up in accordance with business customs applied in the foreign state in whose territory the corresponding expenses were incurred, that is the same as in accounting. But tax registers for accounting for such expenses will in many cases differ from accounting ones.

ON THE POSSIBILITY OF CONVERGENCE OF ACCOUNTING AND TAX ACCOUNTING “LOW PRICE” FOR INCOME TAX PAYERS

As we found out, in tax accounting, “low value” is property that is not depreciable, but lasts more than 12 months. From January 1, 2021, such property is recognized as property with an initial cost of 100,000 rubles. and less.

In accounting, an asset worth less than the limit established by the organization is considered to be of low value. The cost criterion for recognizing property as depreciable in tax accounting cannot be changed. And in accounting, the cost limit for recognizing an asset as part of inventory cannot exceed 40,000 rubles. (since most organizations apply the maximum limit, hereinafter we will call the “limit established in the accounting policy” 40,000 rubles). Therefore, when purchasing “long-term” property with an initial cost of more than 40,000 rubles, but not exceeding 100,000 rubles. (let’s call it “tax low value”), the taxpayer faces a difference between accounting and tax accounting: fixed assets are listed in accounting and an asset accounting card is drawn up accordingly, but in tax accounting such property is not considered depreciable, therefore it is taken into account as material expenses for the purchase of inventories. In tax accounting, the cost of a “low-tax tax” can be taken into account as an expense at a time, but in accounting – only through depreciation. Is it possible to avoid these discrepancies?

From January 1, 2015, taxpayers have the right to independently determine the procedure for writing off material expenses for the purchase of tools, fixtures, inventory, devices, laboratory equipment, workwear and other property that is not depreciable, including low-value property. Such costs can be written off gradually over more than one reporting period, taking into account the period of use of a specific type of property or other economically justified indicators. In fact, legislators allowed the depreciation of “low value” in tax accounting, that is, the costs of acquiring non-depreciable property can be recognized as expenses in those the same amounts as in the accounting. Only in accounting - through the depreciation mechanism, and in tax accounting - by evenly writing off its value over the entire service life. But such a procedure for accounting for expenses must be stipulated in the accounting policy. Moreover, the Tax Code of the Russian Federation does not prohibit establishing a special procedure for accounting for expenses only in relation to a certain group of “low value”, for example, recognizing expenses for non-depreciable property worth more than 40,000 rubles. up to 100,000 rub. inclusive of material expenses evenly, and up to 40,000 rubles. - one time. Many experts gave exactly the same recommendations to taxpayers on drawing up accounting policies. However, the Ministry of Finance in its Letter dated May 20, 2016 No. 03-03-06/1/29124 explained that Chapter 25 of the Tax Code of the Russian Federation does not provide for provisions on the possibility of writing off material expenses in different ways depending on the cost of the relevant property. From this letter we can conclude that assets worth up to 100,000 rubles. can be written off in tax accounting either at a time or evenly. According to the author, this position is not indisputable. As we have already mentioned, pp. 3 p. 1 art. 254 of the Tax Code of the Russian Federation does not contain a prohibition on establishing different procedures for accounting for material expenses for the acquisition of non-depreciable property in relation to different cost groups of such property. This provision gives the taxpayer the right to develop a procedure for accounting for non-depreciable property independently. However, there is a high probability that this position will have to be defended in court. Let us consider, using an example, the procedure for accounting for expenses for the acquisition of a “low-price tax” for taxpayers who are not ready for disputes with the tax authorities.

EXAMPLE. The organization purchased a laptop worth 50,000 rubles for the office manager in January 2016. (excluding VAT) and a useful life of 25 months. Let's determine the amount of material expenses for writing off a laptop in accounting and tax accounting for the first quarter of 2021, provided that the laptop was also put into operation in January 2021.

OPTION 1 (“the old fashioned way”). In accordance with the accounting policy of the organization, for accounting purposes, a laptop is taken into account as fixed assets and expenses on it are repaid by calculating depreciation. The organization uses the straight-line depreciation method. In tax accounting, material expenses are recognized in full as the laptop is put into operation.

ACCOUNTING. Depreciation on an asset begins on the first day of the month following the month in which this asset was accepted for accounting, and is carried out until the cost of this object is fully repaid or this object is written off from accounting. In accounting, depreciation for this laptop is reflected monthly in the credit of account 02 “Depreciation of fixed assets” in correspondence with the accounts of production costs (selling expenses), in this case with account 26 “General business expenses”. Starting from February 1, 2016, the organization will reflect depreciation in the amount of 2,000 rubles. every month (RUB 50,000: 25 months). Accordingly, the amount of depreciation charges for the first quarter of 2016, according to accounting data, was 4,000 rubles.

TAX ACCOUNTING. Since the initial cost of a laptop is no more than 100,000 rubles, the taxpayer will include the costs of its acquisition as material expenses in full as it is put into operation and will be classified as indirect expenses. In tax accounting, material expenses for the first quarter of 2021 are reflected in the amount of 50,000 rubles.

DIFFERENCES. Since the procedure for recognizing expenses for the purchase of a laptop in tax and accounting differs, for organizations that apply PBU 18/02, at the time of putting the “tax low value” into operation, a taxable temporary difference (TDT) arises in the amount of 48,000 rubles. (50,000 rub. – 2,000 rub.) . Therefore, the organization must reflect a deferred tax liability in the amount of RUB 9,600. (RUB 48,000 x 20%): Debit account. 68 “Calculations for taxes and fees” subaccount “Organizational income tax” Credit account. 77 “Deferred tax liabilities.” As depreciation is accrued in the accounting records, the specified NVR and IT will be reduced (repaid), which is reflected by reverse entries in accounts 68 and 77 16 . On the date of depreciation, starting in March 2021, the organization will make a monthly entry to reduce IT in the amount of 400 rubles. (RUB 2,000 x 20%):

Debit account 77 “Deferred tax liabilities” Credit account. 68 “Calculations for taxes and fees” sub-account “Organizational income tax”. The basis for the entries is an accounting statement.

"LITTLE PRICE" AT "SIMPLE"

pp. 1 clause 1 art. 346.16 of the Tax Code of the Russian Federation allows “simplified” taxable persons with the object of taxation “Income minus expenses” to take into account when calculating tax, including expenses for the acquisition of fixed assets. The criteria for a fixed asset for the purpose of applying the “simplified tax” are the same as for income tax, then there is an initial cost of fixed assets put into operation from January 1, 2021 and later, must be more than 100,000 rubles.

Expenses for the acquisition (construction, production) of “tax” fixed assets during the period of application of the simplified taxation system, as well as expenses for the completion, retrofitting, reconstruction, modernization and technical re-equipment of fixed assets produced in the specified period, are taken into account as part of expenses from the moment these are introduced fixed assets into operation.

Expenses for the acquisition of non-depreciable property are recognized as “simplified” expenses on the date of their payment, without waiting for their commissioning. At the same time, the fact that the asset is recognized as fixed assets in accounting does not matter.

Thus, if an organization using the simplified tax system reflects transactions in accounting in the generally established manner (accrual basis), then the procedure for reflecting expenses for the acquisition of “low-value” property in accounting and tax accounting will almost always differ.

REPAIRS AND CAPITAL CHANGES OF LOW-VALUE PROPERTY

Carrying out work, including replacement of parts, aimed at maintaining low-value property in working condition, is recognized as routine repairs of such objects.

There is no direct rule in the Tax Code of the Russian Federation that would talk about the costs of repairing property that is not depreciable. According to the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation, such expenses can be taken into account for profit tax purposes as other expenses related to production and sales, in the amount of actual costs and recognized in the reporting period for their implementation. This position is justified, since Art. 270 of the Tax Code of the Russian Federation contains a closed list of expenses that are not taken into account for tax purposes. Costs associated with maintaining non-depreciable property in good condition are not mentioned in this list.

Thus, the organization has the right to take into account the costs of current repairs of low-value property as a lump sum as part of other expenses, if such expenses are documented and economically justified.

As for capital changes to non-depreciable property, for example, modernization or reconstruction, this property does not apply to fixed assets, for which in this case an increase in the initial cost is provided.

Expenses for capital changes in non-depreciable property reduce the income tax base as other expenses and are fully included in the expenses of the current tax (reporting) period. Therefore, if an organization modernizes a “tax low value” accounted for in accounting as fixed assets, the procedure for accounting for such expenses will differ.

In accounting, the costs of modernization will increase the initial cost of the fixed assets and will be repaid as part of depreciation, and in tax accounting, the costs of modernizing non-depreciable property will be included in expenses at a time, even if the costs of acquiring the property itself, in accordance with the accounting policy of the organization, were taken into account in tax accounting evenly based on its useful life.

If the taxpayer applies the simplified tax system, then it is quite difficult to recognize expenses for modernization or repair of non-depreciable property. The fact is that the list of expenses for “simplification” is closed. And it does not contain such costs. It only covers the costs of servicing the cash register.

In general, accounting for low-value property is simple. The main thing is to timely reflect the rules for its accounting in the organization’s accounting policies for tax purposes and follow them.

Author: Elena Antanenkova