If an event occurs today that makes a future obligation unavoidable, it should be recognized today. Most liabilities are measured based on the amount of cash or the fair value of the assets that must be exchanged in order to discharge the obligation. However, because liabilities represent an obligation to be settled in the future, it is sometime difficult to measure with certainty the value of the future obligation that should be recognized on the balance sheet today. When the future obligation is probable, can be estimated, and the revenue which it helped earned was recognized in the current period, the amount of the future obligation should be estimated and recognized today. For example, when a product is sold with a warranty, the estimated future warranty should be recognized today. Similarly, coupons that come with the purchase of an item (for example, a coupon on a box top) should be recognized as a cost when the original item is sold, not when the coupon is redeemed.
© BrainMass Inc. brainmass.com March 18, 2024, 9:55 pm ad1c9bdddfEstimated Liabilities
BrainMass Categories within Estimated Liabilities
Asset Retirement Obligations
An asset retirement obligation is the liability recognized today related to future costs for retiring tangible long-term assets.
Premiums, Coupons, Rebates and Loyalty Programs
These types of liabilities are created when customers earn the right to some future benefit based on the purchase of products or services today.
Product Guarantee and Warranty Obligations
Warranty liability arises when a business guarantees to repair or replace goods that are defective within a period after their sale. The liability is recorded at the time of the sale and is considered to be a contingent liability that is probable and should be estimated.
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Changes to defined benefit pension plan
Sachs Brands' defined benefit pension plan specifies annual retirement benefits equal to: 1.6% X service years X final year's salary, payable at the end of each year. Angela Davenport was hired by Sachs at the beginning of 2002 and is expected to retire at the end of 2036 after 35 years' service. Her retirement is expected to sp