What is a Cost Basis?
Cost basis means the at-cost purchase price of an asset including the incidental expenses which is used to calculate tax arising from the gain or loss of an asset due to differences between the cost and current market price.
Cost Basis Calculation Formula
Cost basis followed by accounting standard and cost of an asset generally includes the following Cost = Purchase Price + Installation expenses incidental expenses related to the purchase of an asset + Duty + Fee.
Example of Cost Basis Calculations
Cost basis can be determined differently under the following calclation examples.
#1 – Fixed Asset Purchase
Cost basis is calculated by the purchase price, installation expenses, expenses incurred for bringing an asset to their location and conditions. For example, X purchases machinery worth $ 10000, commission paid of $ 200, transportation expenses are $ 100, the repair cost is $ 100, installation labor charges $ 100, duty and taxes $50. The total cost of a fixed asset will be
$10000+$200+$100+$100+$100+$50=$ 10550.
#2 – Inventory
Cost is calculated differently for different levels of stock such as For raw materials cost is calculated on the purchase price of materials. For Finished stock, the cost is calculated by adding raw materials and conversion costs.
#3 – Investment
- The long term investment is recorded on cost and short term investment is recorded on cost or net realizable value whichever is lower.
- Asset acquired by Gift, under this situation cost of an asset is calculated on the fair value of the asset as suggested in Accounting Standard which is relevant for income tax purposes to calculate the property tax of the asset.
- Suppose the fair value of the building is $ 200000 and it is transferred as a gift which has Nil consideration. Property tax is 10%.
- Property tax will calculate on fair value i.e $ 200000 by the income tax department and the amount will be 10% of $ 200000 = $ 20000.
Types of Cost Basis
There are three types of cost basis methods which are followed in the organization.
#1 – FIFO Method
- This costing method refers to when stock is sold then we have a sale the first stock which acquired, it is known as the first in first out
- Suppose X purchased 10 stocks on 1st Jan and again on 2nd Feb 20 stocks. X sold 5 stocks on 3rd March. The organization will consider 5 stocks sold out of 1st Jan for recording purposes. This method generally is followed in perishable goods.
#2 – LIFO Method
This method is also known as last in first out and let’s consider the above example under this method organization will consider 5 stocks sold out of 2nd Feb.
#3 – Weighted Average Cost Method
This method records the value of the stock on an average cost basis. This method generally followed in mutual funds. Suppose 4 units purchased @$10 and 6 units purchased at $20.
The calculation will be [(4×$10)+(6× $20)]/4 units + 6 units = $16 average cost per unit.
Advantages
- Cost basis important for tax purposes. For example, 100 shares purchased at $ 10 each and the current market price per share is $ 50. Capital gains are 100 shares× ($ 50-$10) =$400
- The cost method is very useful for financial reporting purposes otherwise it would be difficult for recording for those assets which are volatile in nature For example, market price of the share is volatile in nature and it changes every second if we start recording the transaction based on market price then it would be difficult to maintain books according to such change.
- Cost basis differentiates which expenses should be added to cost or not. For example, as per accounting standard, it is clearly mentioned that which expense will be included in the cost of the asset.
- X purchase a machine of $ 15000 And paid installation, brokerage, duty, fee, totaling $ 5000. They have also paid some expenses not related to the asset of $ 500.
In this case, as per cost basis, the cost of assets will be $ 20000 because it is related to the purchase of asset but it will not include $ 500 to the cost of the asset because it is not related to the asset.
- Cost Basis is very important to maintain tax balance across the country otherwise tax on short term capital gains will be as high as the income tax rate which carries a lower tax rate as compared to income tax rates.
- Under the cost basis price of stock remain the same even if the share is split which avoids unnecessary recording. For example, X purchased 100 shares at a price of $1000 @ 10 each. Now the share split into 50 shares, the initial cost $ 1000 will remain the same but now the price for each share will be $ 20 instead of $ 10 each.
Disadvantages
- A cost basis does not indicate the actual price of the asset.
- Suppose X purchased an asset which of $ 10000 and the same asset purchased by Y at $ 12000
- As we can see the cost of the same asset different is for X and Y for recording purposes.
Limitations
- It is very difficult for a large organization to identify track a record of each item purchase date and which stock was purchased is to consider for sale.
- Under Cost basis, the sale price of a stock one of an organization can cost for another organization.
- For example, X sold stock to Y at $ 1000 which is the cost for Y but the sale for X due to this reason how
- one can identify what is the actual cost of a stock.
Important Points
- As per Accounting Standard change in method of
- Cost basis is a change in accounting estimate proper disclosure is required to notes to the accounts.
- Any profit or loss arising due to change in method has to charge to profit and loss accounts.
Conclusion
The method of basis cost recording has to decide at the beginning of the financial year and consistently has to follow throughout the year. Proper documents required to maintain for all purchases for quality and proper control purposes.
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