Govt notifies new accounting standard on leases; effective from Apr 1

Press Trust of India  |  New Delhi 

The government has notified a new standard Ind AS 116 that will bring in more transparency in recognition and disclosures about leases in companies' balance sheets, a senior said Sunday.

The Indian Standard (Ind AS) 116 is expected to have a significant impact on various industries, including aviation where airlines mostly operate planes on lease.

Ind AS 116 -- to be effective from April 1 -- sets out the principles for recognition, presentation and disclosure of leases.

It has been notified by the corporate affairs ministry.

The said the standard will help in ensuring more transparency when it comes to recognition of leases by companies and also prevent "window dressing" of accounts.

"Lessors will need to re-look at their policy of recognising lease income on transition to Ind AS 116 and it may have significant impact on ongoing recognition and measurement of rental income in the financial statements," said.

Khetan is and Partner (Financial Accounting Advisory Services) at consultancy EY

of aircraft rather than outright purchase is a common practice in the airlines industry worldwide. With the Ind AS 116 in place, the carriers would have to show all such leases on their respective balance sheets.

Ind AS 116 is the equivalent of IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards) 116.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

First Published: Sun, March 31 2019. 19:15 IST