Today, practically every company deals with intangible assets, for example, with websites, trademarks, computer programs, etc. Therefore, many accountants constantly have questions related to the accounting and taxation of such assets. Let’s consider how to put into operation a new intangible asset (IA).
The introduction of a new IA into operation consists of the following steps:
1. A commission is established at the company, which usually consists of: chief engineer or deputy head of the company (chairman of the commission), head of the relevant structural unit, chief accountant or his/her deputy, as well as the person who is responsible for the maintenance of IA.
The Commission should review IA and decide on the classification of a specific IA object, the definition of its use and the liquidation value. During the identification of objects, the commission of the company checks the presence and validity of documents that are the basis for the publication of the IA object (letter of the Ministry of Finance of 11.04.2006, No.31-34000-10-10/7377), in addition, it must check documents certifying the lawful acquisition of copyright, property rights, the right to use the IA object, etc.
The decision of the commission is made by a protocol or an act of arbitrary form.
2. An order is issued for recognizing IA as an asset and putting it into operation, which specifies the above information.
3. The Commission should make a preliminary document on the basis of which the introduction of IA into operation is carried out.
Such document is the Act on the introduction of an intellectual property right into the economic circulation as a part of intangible assets (typical form No. HA-1, approved by the order of the Ministry of Finance dated 22.11. 2004, No. 732).
The act is drawn up in one copy for each individual object by the admissions commission appointed by the order (decree) of the owner or the authorized body (official), who carries out the management of the company.
The act is filled in on the basis of technical, scientific and technical and other documentation (licensing agreement, author’s agreement, patent, etc.), signed by the chairman and members of the commission, the person responsible for accepting for use the IA object. It should also describe the characteristics of such an object, which contains its detailed description and usage, features and advantages, indicate the main qualitative and quantitative indicators of the IA object.
The accounting department, after verifying the act in form and content, transfers the information to the accounting registers and establishes the inventory card of the intellectual property object in the intangible assets (the typical form No. HA-2), which is in fact the IA passport. The form of this card is approved by the specified order.
Such a card is maintained by the accounting department in one copy. The information about the movement of the object within the company, change its value, characteristics, etc. should be entered in it. According to the information from this card, it is possible to follow the “way of life” of IA.
