Audit Manager
470 Points
Joined May 2009
Provision is created on basis of principle of conservatism concept. IF you expect a loss in future, you should charge against profit in current year itself. But a reserve is not a charge from profits. If profit is 200 of which 50 is transfered to reserve, it means, only Rs 150 can be paid as dividend. Balance rs 50 should be within company which may be in form of current assets or fixed assets. Look at this example:
Profits before tax 280
Less : Provision for tax 80 ( A liablity of Rs 80 is created here as provision for tax)
Profit after tax 200
Less : Transfer to reserve 50 (A liablity in form of general reserve is created for Rs 50)
Profit carried to P&L acc 150
So in next year, if tax is paid, then provision for tax will be debited. Thus provisons can become zero balance after the purpose of provision is utilized. But this reserve will always be in Credit balance only Rs 50 represented by Rs 50 on asset side of balance sheet in some form or other. The meaning of Rs 50 in credit balance is that, out of Rs 200, Rs 50 cant be drawn by share holders as a dividend. If reserve is not created, then profit carried to P&L will be Rs 200 the entire amount which can be used dr profit and loss acc*nt ,credit dividend payable account Rs 200. Due to provision, the above entry can be only restricted to Rs 150