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August 27, 2007

How do you calculate the gain or loss when an asset is sold?

To calculate the gain or loss on the sale of an asset, you compare the amount of cash received for the asset to the asset’s book (carrying) value at the time of the sale. If the cash received is greater than the asset’s book value, the difference is recorded as a gain. If the cash received is less than the asset’s book value, the difference is recorded as a loss.

In order to have the book value at the time of the sale, you must record the depreciation expense up to the date of the sale.

If the asset is exchanged instead of sold, the accounting treatment will often be different.




Comments

5 Responses to “How do you calculate the gain or loss when an asset is sold?”

  1. sirmax on February 13th, 2008 2:53 pm

    what are the entries that you must entre when fixed asset are dispose off.

  2. Mike on May 1st, 2008 1:16 pm

    What’s the proper treatment of the costs of disposal, such as legal fees and realtors fees?

  3. Chhay on September 4th, 2008 9:47 pm

    Thank you vrey much . I understant better than I learn from school by learnig your web.

  4. K.K.Ray on May 5th, 2009 1:28 pm

    (a): entry for cash received is recorded compared with nbv (b): entry for acc depreciation reversal for disposal of asset (c): entry for recording gain/(loss).

  5. joey on November 7th, 2009 12:39 am

    what if theres a trade in?? how do i calculate the profit/loss on disposal??.. what is the double entry to record it??

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