Get Regulation 209709-94 - Amortization Of Intangible Property

If an intangible asset has a perpetual life, it is not amortized. Consequently, if an intangible asset has a useful life but can be renewed easily and without substantial cost, it is considered perpetual and is not amortized.

Amortization of intangibles, also simply known as amortization, is the process of expensing the cost of an intangible asset over the projected life of the asset for tax or accounting purposes. Intangible assets, such as patents and trademarks, are amortized into an expense account called amortization.

You must generally amortize over 15 years the capitalized costs of "section 197 intangibles" you acquired after August 10, 1993. You must amortize these costs if you hold the section 197 intangibles in connection with your trade or business or in an activity engaged in for the production of income.

The useful life of intangible assets is the duration it contributes to your business's value. For example, a patent that lasts 20 years would have a useful life of 20 years. Which intangible assets are amortized? You can only amortize intangible assets that have a finite useful life, like the patent mentioned above.

General Guidelines 1. The amortization of an asset should only start when the asset is brought into actual use, and not before, even if the requisite intangible asset has been acquired. 2. The level of amortization should be appropriate so that the book value of an asset is not under or overstated.

Intangible assets with infinite life, such as goodwill, are not amortized and therefore do not appear on the company's balance sheet.

In 2014, the FASB introduced accounting alternatives6 for private companies whereby goodwill can be amortized over 10 years or less, in which case the impairment test is simplified in addition to being trigger-based. In 2017, the FASB simplified7 goodwill impairment testing requirements for all companies.