Question 1
Amount spent on the installation of new machinery is classified as:
Any cost incurred to bring a fixed asset to its working condition (like freight, installation, trial run) is capitalized (added to the cost of the asset) and treated as Capital Expenditure.
Question 2
Heavy expenditure on an advertising campaign for a new product launch is best classified as:
It is revenue in nature (advertising) but the benefit is expected to last for more than one year (new product launch). Hence, it is deferred and written off over 3-5 years. Note: Modern standards (AS 26) are stricter, often forcing this to be expensed immediately, but traditionally in exams, it is Deferred Revenue.
Question 3
Annual maintenance charges paid for machinery are:
Maintenance is a recurring expense required to keep the asset in working condition. It does not increase the capacity or life of the asset, so it is Revenue Expenditure.
Question 4
Legal fees paid to acquire a property is:
Legal expenses incurred to acquire or defend the title of a fixed asset are capitalized as part of the asset's cost. Legal fees for debt recovery would be Revenue Expenditure.
Question 5
Amount spent on major repairs of a second-hand machine purchased to make it operational is:
Repairs on a second-hand machine *before* it is put to use are capitalized because they are necessary to bring the asset into working condition.
Question 6
Wages paid to workers for installing a new machine should be debited to:
Installation wages are a Capital Expenditure as they are necessary to bring the asset to use. Hence, they are added to the cost of the Machine.
Question 7
Expenditure incurred on Research and Development (R&D) is generally treated as:
According to Accounting Standards (AS 26 / Ind AS 38), research costs are expensed (Revenue) as incurred. Development costs can be capitalized (Capital) only if technical and commercial feasibility is demonstrated.
Question 8
Legal expenses incurred to defend the title of an existing asset in a lawsuit are classified as:
This is a tricky one. Legal costs to acquire an asset are Capital. Legal costs to maintain/defend the title of an existing asset are Revenue Expenditure, as they are for maintenance of the asset's status, not improvement.
Question 9
Cost of overhauling an engine to improve fuel efficiency is:
If an expenditure increases the future economic benefits (efficiency, capacity, life) beyond the previously assessed standard of performance, it is Capital.
Question 10
"Preliminary Expenses" incurred for the formation of a company are treated as:
These are costs to bring the entity into existence. They are usually capitalized or treated as deferred revenue expenditure and written off over a period.
Question 11
Whitewashing of a building for the first time at the time of purchase is:
Expenses to put an old asset into usable condition (First repairs/whitewash) are capitalized. Subsequent whitewashing is Revenue.