Issue

The IFRIC has received requests to clarify the treatment of acquisition-related costs that the acquirer incurred before it applies IFRS 3 Business Combinations (as revised in 2008) that relate to a business combination that is accounted for according to the revised IFRS.

In accordance with the revised IFRS 3, because acquisition-related costs are not part of the exchange transaction between the acquirer and the acquiree (or its former owners), they are not considered part of the business combination. Therefore, except for costs to issue debt or equity securities that are recognised in accordance with IAS 32 and IAS 39, the revised IFRS 3 requires an entity to account for acquisition-related costs as expenses in the periods in which the costs are incurred and the services are received. In contrast, IFRS 3 (as issued in 2004) required the acquisition-related costs to be included in the cost of a business combination.

Decision not to add

July 2009

Reason

The IFRIC noted that more than one interpretation of how the requirements of the two IFRSs interact is possible. Accordingly, the IFRIC concluded that an entity should disclose its accounting policy for such costs and the amount recognised in the financial statements. Because this is a transitional issue that will not arise for accounting periods beginning on after 1 July 2009, the IFRIC decided not to add the issue to its agenda.

IFRIC reference: IFRS 3R-2