An expenditure can be recognised as capital if it is incurred for the following purposes:
An expenditure incurred for the purpose of acquiring long term assets (useful life is at least
more than one accounting period) for use in business to earn profits and not meant for resale,
will be treated as a capital expenditure. For example, if a second hand motor car dealer buys a
piece of furniture with a view to use it in business; it will be a capital expenditure. But if he
buys second hand motor cars, it will be a revenue expenditure because he deals in second hand
motor cars.
When an expenditure is incurred to improve the present condition of a machine or putting an
old asset into working condition, it is recognised as a capital expenditure. The expenditure is
capitalised and added to the cost of the asset. Likewise, any expenditure incurred to put an
asset into working condition is also a capital expenditure.
For example, if one buys a machine for Rs 5,00,000 and pays Rs 20,000 as transportation charges
and Rs 40,000 as installation charges, the total cost of the machine comes upto Rs 5,60,000.
Similarly, if a building is purchased for Rs 1,00,000 and Rs 5,000 is spent on registration and
stamp duty, the capital expenditure on the building stands at Rs 1,05,000.
If an expenditure is incurred, to increase earning capacity of a business will be considered as of
capital nature. For example, expenditure incurred for shifting ‘the ‘factory for easy supply of
raw materials. Here, the cost of such shifting will be a capital expenditure.
Preliminary expenses incurred before the commencement of business is considered capital
expenditure. For example, legal charges paid for drafting the memorandum and articles of
association of a company or brokerage paid to brokers, or commission paid to underwriters for
raising capital.
Thus, one useful way of recognising an expenditure as capital is to see that the business will
own something which qualifies as an asset at the end of the accounting period.
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