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Thread: What needs to be on your Asset Registry?

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    Full Member Intothedeepbluesea's Avatar
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    What needs to be on your Asset Registry?

    What needs to be on your Asset Registry, I'm a Sole Prop?

    Every little piece of equipment bought, even a stapler/usb cable etc?
    What happens if you upgrade the computer, bigger hardrive etc does go on the registry?
    Is there a value beneath which it does not need to be on the registry?

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    Bronze Member Beancounter's Avatar
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    Apply the definition: "An asset is a resource controlled by the entity as a result of past events and from which future economic benefits are expected to flow to the entity (IASB Framework)." For tax purposes you can expense anything under the value of R7000 and record the rest in the asset register.

    If a computer is upgraded, the value of the upgrade is added to the carrying value of the asset in the asset register and depreciated accordingly.

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    Full Member Intothedeepbluesea's Avatar
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    So anything under R7000 does not need to be on the asset registry?
    Say a laptop is bought for R6500 this financial year, next year a SSD drive is fitted for R1800, they both recorded as expenses because they are under R7000 but don't they need to go on the asset registry?

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    The guidelines below relate to any asset register. However a sole prop does not have to comply with any recognised standard, but if you do wish to keep a register then this is what it should contain at the minimum:

    1. A decent description of the asset and when and from whom it was purchased, its estimated useful life, and the purchase price. This is the permanent information relating to the item.
    2. Annually, the amount of depreciation charged to the income statement, the accumulated depreciation and the carrying value (cost less accumulated depreciation).
    3. Annually, the exact same exercise but this time using the wear and tear allowances approved by SARS. The carrying value is known as the tax value.
    4. If any items are disposed of or scrapped, record it including the amount it was sold for, to who and so on.

    A word on the R7000 issue.
    SARS will allow you to expense any acquisition up to R7000 in year 1. But this is in fact a wear and tear charge and affects tax, not your financials or accounting records. You might well have a policy that expects you to expense smaller items, but R7000 is somewhat high for an SME or sole prop. Once you have decided on an appropriate limit, items below that limit do not feature in the register as they are charged as expensed equipment in the income statement. So, for your own financial statement purposes you may well capitalise the item, but for tax purposes you may well expense the same thing.

    The R7000 allowed by SARS is for a complete set, as opposed to items comprising the set.

    Subsequent additions to existing assets, for both tax and financial purposes, must be considered in relation to the main item. In other words, if the laptop was expenses, the drive you are adding to it is also expensed. If it was capitalised, then so too is the addition even if less than the limit.

    Subsequent additions to existing items must also be considered for appropriate treatment from a maintenance point of view. If the addition "makes it better", then generally it is capital expenditure. If the addition replaces something that was broken, then it is maintenance. Sounds simple but often it is not, especially when it relates to extensive plant and machinery, but the principle remains true.

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    Full Member Intothedeepbluesea's Avatar
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    Thanks for the helpful advice chaps, let me just clarify, I'm referring to the asset registry that SARS expects you to keep , what needs to be on that registry and how is equipment less than R7000 that is treated an expense in the year of purchase reflected if at all on the registry?

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    Full Member Intothedeepbluesea's Avatar
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    ^^ Anyone?

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    Basically, exactly what I said above.

    SARS have no asset register requirement. Good accounting practise and various international standards require it. On the other hand, if SARS were to question or audit any aspect of capital expenditure or the subsequent allowances arising therefrom, having a register will certainly stand you in good stead.

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    Diamond Member Mike C's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by CLIVE-TRIANGLE View Post
    SARS have no asset register requirement.
    Unless, of course, you are a provisional tax payer and have to list your Assets and Liabilities each year.
    No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted. - Aesop "The Lion and the Mouse"

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    Yip, but that's just totals per category.

    Now if they ask for detail of whats in the totals, or detail of the depreciation / wear & tear deduction, then that's when the register will help you.

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    Do you need to include real estate assets on your register as well? What about gold, art, etc?

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