IND AS 23: Borrowing Cost with regards to Forex Gain/Loss

IND AS 23: Clarification of Borrowing Cost with regards to foreign exchange loss/Gain

As per Para 6 Borrowing costs may include:

(a) Interest expense calculated using the effective interest method as described in Ind AS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement;

(b) [Refer to Appendix 1]

(c) [Refer to Appendix 1]

(d) Finance charges in respect of finance leases recognised in accordance with Leases; and

(e) Exchange differences arising from foreign currency borrowings to the extent that they are regarded as an adjustment to interest costs.

   6A With regard to exchange difference required to be treated as borrowing costs in accordance with paragraph 6(e), the manner of arriving at the adjustments stated therein shall be as follows:

(i) The adjustment should be of an amount which is equivalent to the extent to which the exchange loss does not exceed the difference between the cost of borrowing in functional currency when compared to the cost of borrowing in a foreign currency.

(ii) Where there is an unrealised exchange loss which is treated as an adjustment to interest and subsequently there is a realised or unrealised gain in respect of the Settlement or translation of the same borrowing, the gain to the extent of the loss previously recognised as an adjustment should also be recognised as an adjustment to interest.

Crux: If the exchange loss arising due to restatement of foreign liability is less than interest saving amount (Difference between cost of borrowing in functional currency when compared to cost of borrowing in an foreign currency), then the entire amount to be considered as Borrowing cost.

On the other hand, If the exchange loss arising due to restatement of foreign liability is exceeds interest saving amount (Difference between cost of borrowing in functional currency when compared to cost of borrowing in an foreign currency), then we need to calculate the amount of interest saving component in the foreign loss.

When there is foreign exchange gain in subsequent years, the same should be adjusted to the extent of loss previously recognised as an adjustment to Interest Cost.

Let us have an example to understand the above mentioned paragraphs:-

Practical Example

ANK Limited (Indian Company) has imported goods worth $ 1,00,000 from US at the rate of 65( Year -2014) by taking a foreign currency loan. The interest rate is 8% P.A at the end of the year. An equivalent borrowing in INR would carry an interest rate of 14% P.A.The exchange rates for the years given below:

March 2015- 1$ – Rs 70

March 2016- 1$ – Rs 64

FY 2014-15

Calculation of Foreign Exchange loss:

Calculation of Interest Saving Component:

Adjustment to Borrowing Cost:

Statement of Profit and Loss Account for FY 2014-15

Para Ref: 6A(i) The adjustment should be of an amount which is equivalent to the extent to which the exchange loss does not exceed the difference between the cost of borrowing in functional currency when compared to the cost of borrowing in a foreign currency.

FY 2015-16

 Statement of Profit and Loss Account for FY 2015-16

Para Ref: 6A(ii):

Where there is an unrealised exchange loss which is treated as an adjustment to interest and subsequently there is a realised or unrealised gain in respect of the settlement or translation of the same borrowing, the gain to the extent of the loss previously recognised as an adjustment should also be recognised as an adjustment to interest.

Appendix 1

Note: This Appendix is not a part of the Indian Accounting Standard.The purpose of this Appendix is only to bring out the differences, if any, between Indian Accounting Standard (Ind AS) 23 and the corresponding International Accounting Standard (IAS) 23, Borrowing Costs.

Comparison with IAS 23, Borrowing Costs

1. IAS 23 provides no guidance as to how the adjustment prescribed in paragraph 6(e) is to be determined. Paragraph 6A is added in Ind AS 23 to provide the guidance.

2. The following paragraph numbers appear as ‘Deleted’ in IAS 23.In order to maintain consistency with paragraph numbers of IAS 23, the paragraph numbers are retained in Ind AS 23 :

(i) paragraph 6(a)

(ii) paragraph 6(b)

The transitional provisions given in IAS 23 have not been given in Ind AS 23, since all transitional provisions related to Ind ASs, wherever considered appropriate have been included in Ind AS 101, First-time Adoption of Indian Accounting Standards corresponding to IFRS 1, First time Adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards.