What is IAS 37 in accounting?

Asked by: Aliza Cassin PhD  |  Last update: June 3, 2026
Score: 4.7/5 (10 votes)

IAS 37 Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets is an IFRS accounting standard that sets rules for recognizing and measuring liabilities of uncertain timing or amount. It requires companies to recognize a provision only when a present legal or constructive obligation exists from a past event, payment is probable, and the amount can be reliably estimated.

What is the IAS 37 standard of accounting?

IAS 37 outlines the accounting for provisions (liabilities of uncertain timing or amount), together with contingent assets (possible assets) and contingent liabilities (possible obligations and present obligations that are not probable or not reliably measurable).

What is an example of a provision under IAS 37?

Another example of a provision, as illustrated in the examples accompanying IAS 37, is a decommissioning provision. This is a liability arising from legal or constructive obligations to dismantle, remove, and restore items of property, plant, and equipment.

What is the difference between IAS 37 and IFRS 9?

IFRS 9 ECL Allowance

For example, even if there was only a 5% chance that a loss might occur, this possibility must be factored into the ECL calculation, whereas under IAS 37, no provision would be recognised as the loss was not probable.

What is the IAS 37 tax?

IAS 37 applies to all provisions, contingent liabilities and contingent assets, except those resulting from executory contracts, (unless the contract is onerous), and those covered by another standard including: Financial instruments in scope of IFRS 9 Financial Instruments. Income taxes in scope of IAS 10 Income taxes.

IAS 37 Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets - applies in 2026

45 related questions found

How is 234C interest calculated?

Section 234C imposes interest on taxpayers who fail to pay advance tax installments on time. It applies to defaults in installment payments at specified rates for a set period. The interest is charged at 1% per month or part thereof on the unpaid amount for delays in advance tax payments during the fiscal year.

What expenses are disallowed under section 37?

Section 37(1) explicitly disallows any expense incurred for purposes that are unlawful or prohibited by law. For instance, fines, penalties, or bribes paid to government officials cannot be claimed as deductions under this section. This ensures that businesses operate within the boundaries of legality and ethics.

What are the three types of contingent liabilities?

Again, there are three categories of contingent liabilities: 1) Probable, 2) Possible, and 3) Remote. Depending on its category, you may need to record a contingent liability in your books and financial statements to comply with generally accepted accounting principles.

What is IFRS 9 in simple terms?

IFRS 9 specifies how an entity should classify and measure financial assets, financial liabilities, and some contracts to buy or sell non-financial items.

How is IAS different from 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.

What are 10 examples of assets and liabilities?

  • Examples of assets: Cash, inventory, building, furniture, and accounts receivable.
  • Examples of liabilities: Loans, accounts payable, sales tax payable, and debts.

When to record a liability?

If the liability is probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated, you record it on your balance sheet. If it's possible but not probable, you disclose it in your financial statement footnotes. If it's remote, no disclosure is typically required.

How are reimbursement recognized in IAS 37?

The reimbursement shall be treated as a separate asset. The amount recognised for the reimbursement shall not exceed the amount of the provision. In the statement of comprehensive income, the expense relating to a provision may be presented net of the amount recognised for a reimbursement.

What are the 4 criteria for recognizing revenue?

In this instance, revenue is recognized when all four of the traditional revenue recognition criteria are met: (1) the price can be determined, (2) collection is probable, (3) there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement, and (4) delivery has occurred.

What are the four accounting standards?

(a) Recognition of events and transactions in the financial statements, (b) Measurement of these transactions and events, (c) Presentation of these transactions and events in the financial statements in a manner that is meaningful and understandable to the users, and (d) Disclosure requirements which should be there to ...

What are Stage 1 2 3 assets?

Stage 1 assets are performing. Stage 2 assets are underperforming (that is, there has been a significant increase in their credit risk since the time they were originally recognized) Stage 3 assets are non-performing and therefore impaired.

What are the five financial instruments?

5 Essential Financial Instruments To Consider In FY20 Financial Plan

  • Equity Linked Savings Scheme (ELSS) ELSS is a type of mutual fund plan wherein you can invest by making monthly payments or a lump sum payment. ...
  • Public Provident Fund. ...
  • Insurance. ...
  • Sovereign Gold Bonds.

What are the key differences between IFRS and GAAP?

Enforcement: GAAP is rule-based, meaning publicly traded US companies are lawfully required to follow its directives. On the other hand, IFRS is standards-based and leaves more room for interpretation and sometimes requires lengthy disclosures on financial statements.

What is the journal entry for a contingent liability?

In this case, the company should record a contingent liability on the books in the amount of $1.25 million. The journal entry would include a debit to legal expense for $1.25 million and a credit to an accrued liability account for $1.25 million. The legal expense would appear on the current years' income statement.

What are Type 3 liabilities?

Type III liabilities

The third type of liabilities have uncertain future amounts but known payout dates. These are called Type III liabilities. An example of Type III liabilities are floating rate instruments and real rate bonds such as Treasury Inflation Protection Securities (TIPS).

What are the two main types of liabilities?

Liabilities are generally divided into many categories; two of those categories are current liabilities and long-term liabilities. Current liabilities are those that a company must pay within one year. Long-term liabilities are those that are payable in more than one year.

What business expenses are 100% deductible?

Yes, interest paid on business loans is generally 100% tax-deductible as a business expense. This includes interest on business credit cards, lines of credit, mortgages for business property, and equipment loans.

What is 37 in income tax?

37% Bracket: The highest tax bracket is 37%. In 2025, for single filers, it applies to incomes over $626,350, and for married couples filing jointly, it applies to incomes over $751,600. Income exceeding these thresholds is taxed at a 37% rate.