ASU 2018-08—NOT-FOR-PROFIT ENTITIES (TOPIC 958): CLARIFYING THE SCOPE AND THE ACCOUNTING GUIDANCE FOR CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED AND CONTRIBUTIONS MADE
Overview
On June 21, 2018, the FASB completed its project on revenue recognition of grants and contracts by not-for-profit entities by issuing Accounting Standards Update No. 2018-08, Not-for-Profit Entities (Topic 958): Clarifying the Scope and the Accounting Guidance for Contributions Received and Contributions Made. The amendments in the Update provide a more robust framework for determining whether a transaction should be accounted for as a contribution or as an exchange transaction.
Specifically, the amendments in the Update:
- Clarify how a not-for-profit entity determines whether a resource provider is participating in an exchange transaction or a contribution
- Help an entity to evaluate whether contributions are considered conditional or unconditional by stating that a conditional contribution must have (1) a barrier that must be overcome and (2) a right of return or release of obligation
- Modify the simultaneous release option currently in generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), which allows a not-for-profit entity to recognize a restricted contribution directly in unrestricted net assets/net assets without donor restrictions if the restriction is met in the same period that revenue is recognized.
What Organizations Are Affected by the Amendments in the Update?
Accounting for contributions is an issue primarily for not-for-profit entities because contributions are a significant source of revenue. However, the amendments in the Update apply to all organizations that receive or make contributions of cash and other assets, including business enterprises. The amendments do not apply to transfers of assets from governments to businesses.
Effective Dates
A public company or a not-for-profit entity that has issued, or is a conduit bond obligor for, securities that are traded, listed, or quoted on an exchange or an over-the-counter market should apply the amendments on contributions received for transactions in which an entity serves as a resource recipient to annual periods beginning after June 15, 2018, including interim periods within those annual periods. All other entities should apply the amendments to annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019.
A public company or a not-for-profit entity that has issued, or is a conduit bond obligor for, securities that are traded, listed, or quoted on an exchange or an over-the-counter market should apply the amendments on contributions made for transactions in which an entity serves as a resource provider to annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those annual periods. All other entities should apply the amendments to annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2020.
Early adoption of the amendments in the Update is permitted.
Additional Information
- Download the Accounting Standards Update
- View the Press Release
- Read the FASB in Focus—a summary of the Update
- Watch Video: FASB Grants and Contracts
- Read the FASB Staff Q&A