Intangible Assets
Treatment under IFRS
Selbst erstellte immaterielle Vermögenswerte in der Entwicklungsphase sind zwingend zu aktivieren, wenn bestimmte Kriterien erfüllt sind. Forschungsausgaben werden sofort aufwandswirksam erfasst.
- Aktivierungspflicht in der Entwicklungsphase bei Erfüllung der 6 Kriterien (IAS 38.57).
- Goodwill aus Unternehmenszusammenschlüssen: Aktivierung, kein planmäßiger Abschreibungszeitraum (nur Impairment Test nach IAS 36).
- Wahlrecht Neubewertungsmodell für immaterielle Vermögenswerte mit aktivem Markt (selten anwendbar).
- Umfangreiche Angabepflichten nach Art der immateriellen Vermögenswerte.
Treatment under German GAAP (HGB)
Selbst erstellte immaterielle Anlagewerte dürfen nach HGB aktiviert werden (Wahlrecht seit BilMoG 2009), ausgenommen originärer Firmenwert. Derivativer Geschäftswert muss aktiviert werden.
- § 248 Abs. 2 HGB: Aktivierungswahlrecht für selbst erstellte immaterielle Anlagewerte.
- § 255 Abs. 4 HGB: Derivativer Firmenwert ist Aktivierungspflicht, planmäßige Abschreibung über die Nutzungsdauer.
- § 253 Abs. 1 HGB: AHK-Obergrenze; kein Neubewertungsmodell.
Key differences
- Kein Aktivierungsgebot in der Entwicklungsphase – nur Wahlrecht nach § 248 Abs. 2 HGB.
- Originärer (selbst geschaffener) Firmenwert darf nach HGB nicht aktiviert werden.
- Derivativer Firmenwert: HGB schreibt planmäßige Abschreibung vor; IFRS nur Impairment Test (kein planmäßiger Abschreibungszeitraum).
- Ausschüttungssperre für aktivierte selbst geschaffene immaterielle Vermögensgegenstände nach § 268 Abs. 8 HGB.
Example
Worked example
Assumptions: A company develops a new product in Year 1. Development expenditure €600,000; the capitalisation criteria of IAS 38.57 are met from the start of the development phase. Useful life 5 years, straight-line amortisation from Year 2 (once available for use). Research costs are expensed immediately under both systems and are excluded here. IFRS: capitalisation is mandatory. HGB: in this example the company does not exercise the option in § 248 (2) HGB and expenses the development costs immediately (a common, prudence-driven choice). All amounts in euros.
Step 1 – Classification: research vs development
- Research phase: expenditure is expensed immediately under both systems (IAS 38.54; HGB prohibits capitalisation).
- Development phase: IFRS – mandatory capitalisation once the six criteria are met (IAS 38.57). HGB – capitalisation option (§ 248 (2) HGB).
Step 2 – Income-statement effect (expense per year)
Under IFRS the expense is spread over the useful life (amortisation from Year 2); under HGB (option not elected) it falls entirely in Year 1.
| Year | IFRS expense | HGB expense | Difference (IFRS − HGB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 600,000 | −600,000 |
| 2 | 120,000 | 0 | +120,000 |
| 3 | 120,000 | 0 | +120,000 |
| 4 | 120,000 | 0 | +120,000 |
| 5 | 120,000 | 0 | +120,000 |
| 6 | 120,000 | 0 | +120,000 |
| Σ | 600,000 | 600,000 | 0 |
Step 3 – Balance-sheet effect (carrying amount of the intangible asset)
The cumulative profit difference from Step 2 equals, in every year, exactly the carrying amount capitalised under IFRS.
| Year-end | IFRS intangible | HGB | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 600,000 | 0 | 600,000 |
| 2 | 480,000 | 0 | 480,000 |
| 3 | 360,000 | 0 | 360,000 |
| 4 | 240,000 | 0 | 240,000 |
| 5 | 120,000 | 0 | 120,000 |
| 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Step 4 – Journal entries
IFRS – Year 1 (capitalise development costs):
| Account | Debit | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| Intangible assets (development) | 600,000 | |
| Bank / sundry | 600,000 |
IFRS – Year 2 (amortisation):
| Account | Debit | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| Amortisation expense | 120,000 | |
| Intangible assets | 120,000 |
HGB – Year 1 (option not elected → immediate expense):
| Account | Debit | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| Expense (development) | 600,000 | |
| Bank / sundry | 600,000 |
Step 5 – HGB option and goodwill (note)
- Option: if the company capitalises under § 248 (2) HGB, the picture resembles IFRS (spread amortisation); a distribution block then applies (§ 268 (8) HGB).
- Prohibition: internally generated goodwill as well as internally generated brands, mastheads and customer lists may not be capitalised under § 248 (2) sentence 2 HGB.
- Acquired goodwill: HGB requires systematic amortisation (§ 255 (4) HGB); IFRS only an annual impairment test with no scheduled amortisation (see IFRS 3 for details).
Key takeaway
IFRS requires development costs to be capitalised and spreads the expense over the useful life; HGB makes capitalisation an option. If the option is not elected (a common, prudent practice), the entire amount is expensed immediately – lower initial profit but higher subsequent profit. The total expense is identical in both systems (€600,000); the cumulative profit difference equals, in every year, exactly the carrying amount capitalised under IFRS.