Did IFRS 15 replace IAS 18?

Asked by: Hellen Hahn  |  Last update: July 12, 2026
Score: 4.2/5 (27 votes)

Yes, IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers officially replaced IAS 18 Revenue (along with IAS 11 Construction Contracts and related interpretations) for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018.

When did IFRS 15 replace IAS 18?

IFRS 15 replaces IAS 11, IAS 18, IFRIC 13, IFRIC 15, IFRIC 18 and SIC‑31. IFRS 15 provides a comprehensive framework for recognising revenue from contracts with customers. In September 2015 the Board issued Effective Date of IFRS 15 which deferred the mandatory effective date of IFRS 15 to 1 January 2018.

What is the difference between IAS 18 and IFRS 15?

- Scope of IFRS 15: Unlike IAS 18, which had separate guidance for different types of transactions (goods, services, interest, royalties, and dividends), IFRS 15 provides a single, comprehensive revenue recognition model for all contracts with customers, except for leases, financial instruments, and insurance contracts ...

Will IAS 1 fall away and be replaced by IFRS 18?

IFRS 18 replaces IAS 1 and becomes effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2027, subject to endorsement by the EU, with earlier application permitted.

Why was IAS replaced by IFRS?

IFRS 9 replaced IAS 39 in January 2018 because it was too complex, inconsistent, and impractical in a modern financial world. Accountants, regulators, and financial institutions often call IAS 39 one of the most confusing standards ever written.

IFRS 15 Key Changes compared with IAS 18

21 related questions found

What is the main reason for replacing IAS 1 with IFRS 18?

IFRS 18 replaces IAS 1 and responds to investors' demand for better information about companies' financial performance. New requirements include: new categories and subtotals in the statement of profit or loss, disclosure of MPMs and enhanced requirements for grouping information.

Why did IFRS 16 replace IAS 17?

Transparency: The introduction of IFRS 16 was aimed at increasing the transparency and accuracy of financial reporting. By requiring companies to recognize all leases on their balance sheets, the new standard ensures that financial statements provide a more accurate picture of a company's financial position.

Is IAS 18 still effective?

It responds to longstanding stakeholder concerns regarding the lack of detailed guidance in IFRS on the classification of income and expenses in the statement of profit or loss. The IFRS 18 standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2027, with retrospective application required.

What does IFRS 15 not apply to?

IFRS 15 does not apply to wholly unperformed contracts where all parties have the enforceable right to end the contract without penalty. These contracts do not affect an entity's financial position until either party performs under the contract.

What's the difference between IAS 1 and IFRS 18?

IFRS 18 replaces IAS 1 and responds to investors' demand for better information about companies' financial performance. New requirements include: new categories and subtotals in the statement of profit or loss, disclosure of MPMs and enhanced requirements for grouping information.

Is IFRS 15 difficult to understand?

IFRS 15 'Revenues from Contracts with Customers' provides comprehensive guidance on accounting for revenue recognition. Nonetheless, there are some aspects of IFRS 15 that are complex and can pose practical challenges for reporting entities to apply and implement effectively.

What is the major difference between IAS and IFRS?

IAS covers only specific accounting issues, while IFRS is a more comprehensive set of accounting standards that covers all aspects of financial reporting. IAS and IFRS are sets of accounting standards that provide guidelines for financial reporting.

Has IFRS 18 been issued?

In April 2024, the IASB issued IFRS 18 Presentation and Disclosure in Financial Statements. IFRS 18 sets out overall requirements for the presentation and disclosure in financial statements. The IASB did not reconsider all aspects of IAS 1 when developing IFRS 18, but instead focused on the statement of profit or loss.

What is IFRS 15 in simple terms?

International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) 15: Revenue from Contracts with Customers was introduced by the International Accounting Standards Board to provide one comprehensive revenue recognition model for all contracts with customers to improve comparability within industries, across industries, and across ...

What are the benefits of using IFRS 15?

IFRS 15 introduces a unified Five-Step Model for revenue recognition, replacing a myriad of previous guidelines and interpretations. It emphasizes performance obligations, transaction price allocation, and enhanced disclosure requirements, offering a more consistent and detailed approach to revenue recognition.

Is IFRS 16 still applicable?

A recap. IFRS 16 and Topic 842 became effective for IFRS Accounting Standards preparers and US GAAP public companies in 2019, and US private entities (including most not-for-profit entities) in 2022. Both IFRS 16 and Topic 842 require lessees to report most of their leases on-balance sheet, as assets and liabilities.

What is the difference between IFRS 15 and IAS 18?

Under IAS 18, the focus is on measuring the fair value of the consideration to be received, while under IFRS 15 the objective is to recognise revenue equal to the price the customer would have paid had they paid in cash.

Who will be affected by IFRS 18?

IFRS 18 will affect companies across all industries that prepare financial statements under IFRS Accounting Standards. It will not change how companies recognise and measure items in the financial statements. However, it will affect the way companies present and disclose information in those financial statements.

Does IFRS 15 apply to leases?

Paragraph 17 of IFRS 16 requires a lessor to allocate the consideration in a contract that contains lease and non-lease components by applying IFRS 15 requirements on the allocation of the transaction price to performance obligations.

When did IFRS 15 become effective?

Effective date of IFRS 15. IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers was issued by the IASB on 28 May 2014 and applies to an entity's first annual IFRS financial statements for a period beginning on or after 1 January 2018.

Does IFRS 18 require retrospective application?

All companies that prepare financial statements that comply with IFRS Accounting Standards are required to apply IFRS 18 retrospectively from 1 January 2027. They are permitted to apply it earlier.

When did IFRS 18 become effective?

IFRS 18 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2027, with earlier application permitted.

What is the 90% rule in leasing?

The 90% rule in leasing is an accounting guideline for classifying leases, stating that if the present value (PV) of a lessee's minimum lease payments equals or exceeds 90% of the leased asset's fair market value (FMV), the lease should be treated as a finance lease (or capital lease) rather than an operating lease, reflecting essentially a purchase for accounting purposes. This rule helps determine if the lease transfers substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership, requiring balance sheet recognition of the asset and liability. 

Is IAS 17 still applicable?

IAS 17 was reissued in December 2003 and applies to annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2005. IAS 17 will be superseded by IFRS 16 'Leases' as of 1 January 2019.

Why did IFRS replace IAS?

IFRS was brought in place of IAS because it was more adaptable and comprehensive in its vision towards financial reporting. It sought to address growing international business complexity and introduce a more transparent and flexible framework.