by D. Victor

Created on: March 01, 2010

Although the definitions of capital and revenue expenditure provide a clear basis for distinguishing between them, it is always useful to use examples to understand fully how the definitions translate in reality. Capital expenditure is basically expenditure on the acquisition or improvement of a non-current asset. Revenue expenditure is that on the acquisition of tradable assets or mere maintenance of the earning capacity of a non-current asset.

== Acquisitions and costs associated with acquisition ==

Both capital and revenue expenditure can result in the acquisition of assets, but for different purposes. Examples of capital acquisitions include the purchase of an office building and the purchase of a vehicle for business use. However, in acquiring a capital asset, certain costs are incurred, such as carriage inwards, installation costs, import duties and valuator fees. Those costs are included as part of the acquisition cost and form part of capital expenditure as well.

Revenue expenditure acquisitions involve those of trade able assets or assets that can be fully utilized within one accounting period. As a result, the purchase of trade able goods or raw materials is revenue expenditure. Recurring expenditure, such as stationary, also form part of revenue expenditure since these costs are minor and the assets require frequent replenishing or replacement. In addition, an entity might acquire a vehicle or building, but pays rent for it. Such expenditure is revenue expenditure since it is consumed fully utilized in the period.

== Improvement or maintenance ==

The distinction between revenue and capital expenditure is also the distinction between improving and maintaining a non-current asset. Let us use a movie theatre for this example. Assume that the movie theatre is merely repairing old seats and re-upholstering, without increasing the seating capacity of the movie theatre.

Although the benefit of that change would extend to several accounting periods, it is not capital expenditure. This is because repairing the seats does not necessarily improve the earning capacity of the movie theatre. However, if the theatre added more seats, it is improving its asset—not merely maintaining it. In addition, if the movie theatre replaces the old seats with new ones, it can consider this capital expenditure.

== Other examples of the forms of expenditure ==

Depreciation of non-current assets: Revenue Expenditure

Insurance, salaries and regular maintenance: Revenue Expenditure

Major repairs of a fixed asset that increases its productivity: Capital expenditure

Transport costs for trade able assets: Revenue Expenditure

Transport and installation costs for non-current assets: Capital Expenditure

The examples of capital and revenue expenditure are by no means exhaustive. What is important is that an entity classifies its expenditure correctly, according to the business context, and consistently, according to prior classifications.

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