Bilanzierung Bei Finance Leasing

leasing operate leasing und finanzierungsleasing arbeitsblatt

Finance leasing, also known as capital leasing, is a type of lease agreement where the lessee essentially assumes the risks and rewards of ownership, even though legal title remains with the lessor. Accounting for finance leases differs significantly from operating leases, primarily because the substance of the transaction is treated as a purchase of an asset financed by a loan.

From the lessee’s perspective, the accounting treatment under both IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards) and US GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) aims to reflect this economic reality. Upon commencement of the lease, the lessee recognizes a right-of-use (ROU) asset and a corresponding lease liability on its balance sheet. The ROU asset represents the lessee’s right to use the underlying asset for the lease term, while the lease liability represents the obligation to make lease payments. The initial measurement of both is generally the present value of the lease payments, discounted using the lessee’s incremental borrowing rate (if the interest rate implicit in the lease is not readily determinable). Direct costs incurred by the lessee (e.g., initial legal fees) are added to the ROU asset.

Subsequent accounting involves amortizing the ROU asset over the shorter of the asset’s useful life or the lease term (if ownership does not transfer by the end of the lease term). In parallel, the lease liability is reduced as lease payments are made. Each lease payment is split into two components: a reduction of the lease liability (principal portion) and interest expense. The interest expense is calculated using the effective interest method, which ensures a constant periodic rate of interest on the outstanding lease liability.

The effect on the lessee’s financial statements is substantial. The balance sheet reflects higher assets (ROU asset) and liabilities (lease liability) than would be the case with an operating lease. The income statement is impacted by depreciation expense (related to the ROU asset) and interest expense. The cash flow statement shows the principal portion of lease payments as financing activities, while the interest portion is generally classified as operating activities.

From the lessor’s perspective, a finance lease is essentially a sale of the asset. The lessor derecognizes the underlying asset from its balance sheet and recognizes a lease receivable, representing the right to receive lease payments. The lease receivable is initially measured at the present value of the lease payments. A profit or loss is recognized at the commencement of the lease, representing the difference between the carrying amount of the asset and the net investment in the lease (the present value of the lease payments plus any unguaranteed residual value accruing to the lessor). Subsequently, the lease receivable is reduced as lease payments are received, and interest income is recognized using the effective interest method.

In summary, the accounting for finance leases aims to accurately reflect the economic substance of the transaction, which is essentially a purchase of an asset financed by a loan. The lessee recognizes an asset and liability on its balance sheet and incurs depreciation and interest expense. The lessor derecognizes the asset and recognizes a lease receivable, generating profit or loss at the commencement of the lease and recognizing interest income over the lease term.