
IFRS 5 Accounting for Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations is a crucial standard that helps businesses report their assets and operations accurately. It's a vital tool for investors and analysts to understand a company's financial health.
Assets held for sale are reported at the lower of their carrying value or fair value less costs to sell, which can be a significant reduction from their original value. This is often the case for companies that have written off a significant portion of their assets.
Discontinued operations are reported separately from continuing operations to provide a clear picture of a company's financial performance. This is done by presenting the assets and liabilities of the discontinued operation separately from the rest of the business.
The standard requires companies to disclose the reasons for disposal, the expected timing of the disposal, and the estimated amount of any loss on disposal.
Held-for-Sale Requirements
To be classified as held-for-sale, a non-current asset or disposal group must meet specific criteria. The asset group must be available for immediate sale in its present condition, subject only to terms that are usual and customary for sales of such assets.

The sale must also be highly probable, which means the company has committed to a plan to sell, an active program to locate a buyer has been initiated, the asset is being marketed for sale at a reasonable price, and it's unlikely that significant changes will be made or the plan will be withdrawn.
The criteria for held-for-sale classification are outlined in IFRS 5, which requires that the asset group meets both of these conditions. This means that the company must have a clear plan in place to sell the asset, and it must be marketable at a reasonable price.
Under IFRS 5, certain assets in a held-for-sale asset group are excluded from the held-for-sale measurement requirements. These assets include employee benefit assets, deferred tax assets, financial instruments, and investment property measured at fair value.
The following table highlights the differences in excluded assets between IFRS 5 and US GAAP:
Once an asset group is classified as held-for-sale, it must be measured at the lower of its carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell. Depreciation on such assets ceases once they are classified as held for sale.
Measurement and Disclosure

Discontinued operations have no recognition or measurement impacts, but they do include asset groups held-for-sale, which follow specific measurement requirements.
The results of discontinued operations are presented separately from continuing operations, as a single amount in the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income.
Net cash flow information attributable to operating, investing, and financing activities of discontinued operations are disclosed, either on the statement of cash flows or in the notes.
An asset group classified as held-for-sale is remeasured at the lower of carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell until its disposal.
A gain from an increase in fair value less costs to sell is limited to the cumulative amount of impairment losses previously recognized.
IFRS 5 considers impairment losses recognized in accordance with both the held-for-sale guidance and the impairment standard (IAS 36) before the asset group was classified as held-for-sale, while US GAAP only considers impairment losses recognized under the held-for-sale guidance.
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Lower of Carrying Amount and Fair Value Less Cost to Sell
An asset group classified as held-for-sale (distribution) is measured at the lower of its carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell (distribute).
Expected losses are generally recognized before the transaction closes, while gains are generally recognized at closing.
Costs to sell (distribute) are incremental costs directly attributable to the transaction, excluding finance costs and income tax expense.
Property, plant, equipment, and intangible assets in the asset group are no longer depreciated or amortized.
Under IFRS 5, an increase in fair value less costs to sell may result in a gain, which is limited to the cumulative amount of impairment losses previously recognized.
Unlike US GAAP, IFRS 5 allows reversals of historical impairments, which can result in a higher amount of gain being recorded before disposal.
Presentation and Disclosure
When presenting a discontinued operation, it's essential to understand the disclosure requirements. Under IFRS 5, a discontinued operation must be disclosed separately from other operations.

For a newly acquired subsidiary classified as held-for-sale on acquisition, certain disclosure exemptions can be omitted, as stated in IFRS 5. This is not the case under US GAAP, where no disclosure exemptions are provided for a disposal group that is a newly acquired subsidiary classified as held-for-sale on acquisition.
To present a discontinued operation, an entity must disclose a single amount in the statement of comprehensive income, comprising the total of the post-tax profit or loss of discontinued operations and the post-tax gain or loss recognized on the measurement to fair value less costs to sell or on the disposal of the assets or disposal group(s) constituting the discontinued operation.
Here's a summary of the disclosure requirements for a discontinued operation:
- A single amount in the statement of comprehensive income
- Analysis of the single amount into:
+ Revenue, expenses, and pre-tax profit or loss of discontinued operations
+ Related income tax expense
+ Gain or loss recognized on the measurement to fair value less costs to sell or on the disposal of the assets or disposal group(s) constituting the discontinued operation
+ Related income tax expense
An alternative approach is to present a column for the results of continuing operations and a column for the results of discontinued operations. However, this is not the approach taken in the FR exam.
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Operations

Operations are a key part of IFRS 5, and understanding how to classify and present them is crucial for accurate financial reporting.
A discontinued operation is classified as such when it represents a separate major line of business or geographic area, or is part of a single plan to dispose of one.
To be classified as discontinued, an operation must either have been disposed of or classified as held-for-sale, which occurs at the earlier of two dates: when the company actually disposes the asset group or when the operation meets the criteria to be classified as held-for-sale.
Discontinued operations are presented separately in the statement of profit or loss, with two approaches allowed: presenting a single line item or an entire separate column, detailed line by line.
Here are the key requirements for presenting discontinued operations:
- A single amount in the statement of comprehensive income, comprising the total of the post-tax profit or loss of discontinued operations and the post-tax gain or loss recognized on the measurement to fair value less costs to sell or on the disposal of the assets or disposal group(s) constituting the discontinued operation.
- An analysis of the single amount into revenue, expenses, and pre-tax profit or loss of discontinued operations, related income tax expense, gain or loss recognized on the measurement to fair value less costs to sell or on the disposal of the assets or disposal group(s) constituting the discontinued operation, and related income tax expense.
Note that if an entire subsidiary is disposed of and meets the criteria for a discontinued operation, its results are consolidated up to the date of disposal and presented as a single line item.
Accounting for Held-for-Sale Assets

Classification as held-for-sale is a crucial step in accounting for noncurrent assets or disposal groups. An asset group is classified as held-for-sale if it meets specific criteria.
The asset group must be available for immediate sale in its present condition, subject only to terms that are usual and customary for sales of such assets. This means that the asset can be sold right away, without any major modifications.
The sale of the asset group must also be highly probable. Highly probable means that the appropriate level of management is committed to a plan to sell, an active program to locate a buyer and complete the plan to sell has been initiated, the asset is being marketed for sale at a price that is reasonable in relation to its current fair value, and actions required to complete the plan indicate that it's unlikely that significant changes will be made or the plan will be withdrawn.
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The classification of an asset group as held-for-sale has significant implications for the financial statements. Under IFRS 5, the asset group is measured at the lower of its carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell.
Here are the steps to classify an asset group as held-for-sale:
- Step 1: Determine if the asset group meets the criteria for held-for-sale classification
- Step 2: Measure the asset group at the lower of its carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell
For example, XYZ Manufacturing Ltd. classified a production facility as held for sale when it decided to sell it. The facility was measured at the lower of its carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell, which was $800,000.
The gain on sale of a held-for-sale asset is recognized when the asset is sold. The gain is presented in the statement of profit or loss as part of discontinued operations, if applicable, or as part of other income.
Here's an example of how to present the gain on sale of a held-for-sale asset:
- The facility will be removed from the balance sheet.
- The gain on sale will be presented in the statement of profit or loss as part of discontinued operations, if applicable, or as part of other income.
Equity Accounting and Disclosure
Equity Accounting and Disclosure is a crucial aspect of IFRS 5.

IFRS 5 requires that an entity account for an investment property as a non-current asset, unless it intends to sell or develop it in the short term.
An investment property is classified as held for sale when its carrying amount will be recovered through sale, rather than through its ongoing operations.
The carrying amount of an investment property held for sale is not depreciated, as it is no longer expected to generate future economic benefits.
IFRS 5 requires that an entity disclose the carrying amount of investment properties held for sale, as well as the reason for their classification.
An entity must also disclose the carrying amount of investment properties that are being redeveloped or redeveloped for sale.
Examples and Illustrations
IFRS 5 provides clear guidance on how to account for non-current assets held for sale or disposal. This includes property, plant, and equipment, as well as other assets such as investments and intangible assets.
A company can choose to present non-current assets held for sale at their carrying value or at the lower of their carrying value and fair value less costs to sell. This flexibility is intended to provide a more accurate representation of the company's financial position.
For example, if a company has a non-current asset held for sale with a carrying value of $100,000 and a fair value less costs to sell of $90,000, they can present it at either $100,000 or $90,000.
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Tuzi Group Example
The Tuzi Group is a great example of how to apply the concepts we've learned so far. They're a company that's been around since 2005 and has a strong focus on innovation.
Their approach to innovation is centered around a core team that's responsible for identifying and developing new ideas. This team is made up of experts from various fields who work together to create solutions that meet real-world needs.

One of the key factors in the Tuzi Group's success is their ability to collaborate effectively across different departments. This is reflected in their organizational structure, which has a flat hierarchy and encourages open communication.
Their commitment to innovation has led to the development of several groundbreaking products, including a revolutionary new material that's being used in a variety of industries.
Presentation Example
A discontinued operation can be presented as a single line item within the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income, as seen in the example provided.
This approach requires a disclosure note to present a more detailed analysis of the single line item.
The single line item includes the total of the post-tax profit or loss of discontinued operations and the post-tax gain or loss recognized on the measurement to fair value less costs to sell or on the disposal of the assets or disposal group(s) constituting the discontinued operation.

Here is a summary of the required disclosure:
- A single amount in the statement of comprehensive income
- Analysis of the single amount into:
+ Revenue, expenses, and pre-tax profit or loss of discontinued operations
+ Related income tax expense
+ Gain or loss recognized on the measurement to fair value less costs to sell or on the disposal of the assets or disposal group(s) constituting the discontinued operation
+ Related income tax expense
Key Requirements and Scope
IFRS 5 applies to all recognized non-current assets and disposal groups that meet the criteria to be classified as held for sale. This includes operations that are classified as discontinued operations.
The standard doesn't apply to certain items, such as deferred tax assets, assets arising from employee benefits, financial assets within the scope of IFRS 9, investment properties measured at fair value, biological assets measured at fair value with fewer costs to sell, and contractual rights under insurance contracts.
To be classified as held for sale, a non-current asset must be available for immediate sale in its present condition and be highly probable. This means its carrying amount will be recovered principally through a sale transaction rather than through continuing use.

Non-current assets classified as held for sale are measured at the lower of their carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell. Depreciation on such assets ceases once they are classified as held for sale.
Here are the specific requirements for classification and measurement of non-current assets held for sale:
- Classification: Available for immediate sale in its present condition and highly probable.
- Measurement: Lower of carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell.
- Depreciation: Ceases once classified as held for sale.
An operation is classified as discontinued when it represents a separate central line of business or geographical area of operations and has been disposed of or is classified as held for sale.
Differences and Considerations
IFRS 5 is a set of guidelines that can be tricky to navigate, but understanding the differences and considerations can make a big difference.
IFRS 5 is similar to US GAAP, but there are some key differences. For instance, IFRS 5 has specific classification, measurement, presentation, and disclosure requirements that differ from US GAAP.
One of the main challenges when implementing IFRS 5 is determining when to classify an asset as held for sale. This requires judgment, especially when assessing whether a sale is highly probable.
Estimating the fair value of an asset minus the costs to sell can be complex, especially for unique or specialized assets. This can be a real challenge for companies that don't have a lot of experience with fair value measurements.
Here are some of the key differences between IFRS 5 and US GAAP:
- Classification: IFRS 5 has specific requirements for classifying non-current assets held for sale.
- Measurement: IFRS 5 requires fair value measurements for non-current assets held for sale.
- Presentation: IFRS 5 has specific requirements for presenting discontinued operations.
- Disclosure: IFRS 5 requires more detailed disclosure requirements than US GAAP.
Difference from US GAAP
IFRS 5 has some key differences from US GAAP, particularly in its classification, measurement, presentation, and disclosure requirements.
One of the main differences is that IFRS 5 requires specific classification of discontinued operations, whereas US GAAP has more flexible guidelines.
The guidance in IFRS 5 is quite similar to US GAAP in terms of ASC Subtopics 205-20 and 360-10, but there are still some important differences.
IFRS 5 requires more detailed disclosure requirements than US GAAP, including the reasons for disposal and the impact on future cash flows.
There are 10 key differences between IFRS 5 and US GAAP, which can be a challenge for companies to navigate.
IFRS 5 has more stringent requirements for measuring and presenting discontinued operations, which can be a departure from US GAAP's more general guidelines.
Companies must also consider the presentation and disclosure requirements in IFRS 5, which can be more detailed than in US GAAP.
The differences between IFRS 5 and US GAAP can be significant, and companies should carefully review the guidance to ensure compliance.
Challenges and Considerations
Determining when to classify an asset as held for sale requires judgment, particularly in assessing whether a sale is highly probable. This can be a tricky decision, as it involves weighing the likelihood of a sale against other factors.
Estimating the fair value minus the costs to sell can be complex, especially for unique or specialized assets. This can be a time-consuming process that requires careful consideration of various factors.
Deciding whether a disposal qualifies as a discontinued operation involves evaluating whether it represents a significant line of business or geographical area. This requires a thorough analysis of the company's operations and financial situation.

Here are some of the key challenges and considerations to keep in mind:
- Timing of Classification: This involves assessing whether a sale is highly probable.
- Measurement at Fair Value: This requires estimating the fair value minus the costs to sell.
- Discontinued Operations: This involves evaluating whether a disposal represents a significant line of business or geographical area.
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