What Is a Write-Down?
A write-down is an accounting term for the reduction in the book value of an asset when its fair market value (FMV) has fallen below the carrying book value, and thus becomes an impaired asset. The amount to be written down is the difference between the book value of the asset and the amount of cash that the business can obtain by disposing of it in the most optimal manner.
A write-down is the opposite of a write-up, and it will become a write-off if the entire value of the asset becomes worthless and is eliminated from the account altogether.
Key Takeaways
- A write-down is necessary if the fair market value (FMV) of an asset is less than the carrying value currently on the books.
- The income statement will include an impairment loss, reducing net income.
- On the balance sheet, the value of the asset is reduced by the difference between the book value and the amount of cash that the business could obtain by disposing of it in the most optimal manner.
- An impairment can’t be deducted on taxes until the asset is sold or disposed of.
- If an asset is being “held for sale,” the write-down will also need to include the expected costs of the sale.
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Understanding Write-Downs
Write-downs can have a huge impact on a company’s net income and balance sheet. During the 2007–2008 financial crisis, the drop in the market value of assets on the balance sheets of financial institutions forced them to raise capital to meet minimum capital obligations.
Accounts that are most likely to be written down are a company’s goodwill, accounts receivable, inventory, and long-term assets like . PP&E may become impaired because it has become obsolete or damaged beyond repair, or if property prices have fallen below the historical cost. In the service sector, a business may write down the value of its stores if they no longer serve their purpose and need to be revamped.
Write-downs are common in businesses that produce or sell goods, which require a stock of inventory that can become damaged or obsolete. For example, technology and automobile inventories can lose value rapidly, if they go unsold or new updated models replace them. In some cases, a full inventory write-off may be necessary.
Generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) in the United States have specific standards regarding the fair value measurement of intangible assets. GAAP requires that goodwill be written down immediately anytime if its value declines.
For example, in November 2012, Hewlett-Packard announced a massive $8.8 billion impairment charge to write down a botched acquisition of U.K.-based Autonomy Corp. PLC—which represented a huge loss in shareholder value since the company was worth only a fraction of its earlier estimated value.
Effect of Write-Downs on Financial Statements and Ratios
A write-down impacts both the income statement and the balance sheet. A loss is reported on the income statement. If the write-down is related to inventory, it may be recorded as a cost of goods sold (COGS). Otherwise, it is listed as a separate impairment loss line item on the income statement so that lenders and investors can assess the impact of devalued assets.
The asset’s carrying value on the balance sheet is written down to fair value. Shareholders’ equity on the balance sheet is reduced as a result of the impairment loss on the income statement. An impairment may also create a deferred tax asset or reduce a deferred tax liability because the write-down is not tax deductible until the affected assets are physically sold or disposed of.
In terms of financial statement ratios, a write-down to a fixed asset will cause the current and future fixed-asset turnover to improve, as net sales will now be divided by a smaller fixed-asset base. Because shareholders’ equity falls, debt-to-equity rises. Debt-to-assets will be higher as well, with the lower asset base. Future net income potential rises because the lower asset value reduces future depreciation expenses.
Special Considerations
Assets Held for Sale
Assets are said to be impaired when their net carrying value is greater than the future undiscounted cash flow that these assets can provide or be sold for. Under GAAP, impaired assets must be recognized once it is evident that this book value cannot be recovered. Once impaired, the asset can be written down if it remains in use, or classified as an asset “held for sale” that will be disposed of or abandoned.
The disposition decision differs from a typical write-down because once a company classifies impaired assets as “held for sale” or abandoned, they are no longer expected to contribute to ongoing operations. The book value would need to be written down to the fair market value less any costs to sell the item.
Big Bath Accounting
Companies often write down assets in quarters or years when earnings are already disappointing, to get all the bad news out at once—which is known as “taking a bath.” A big bath is a way of manipulating a company’s income statement to make poor results look even worse, to make future results look better.
For example, banks often write down or write off loans when the economy goes into recession and they face rising delinquency and default rates on loans. By writing off the loans in advance of any losses—and creating a loan loss reserve—they can report enhanced earnings if the loan loss provisions turn out to be overly pessimistic when the economy recovers.
How Do Write-Downs Impact a Company?
Write-downs can significantly affect a business’s net income and balance sheet. Write-downs are common among companies that produce or sell goods, which require a stock of inventory that can become damaged or obsolete.
Which Accounts Are Most Likely to Have Write-Downs?
A business’s accounts that are most likely to be written down are its goodwill, accounts receivable, inventory, and long-term assets like property, plant, and equipment (PP&E).
Where Does a Write-Down Impact a Business?
A write-down has two impacts on a company: on its income statement and its balance sheet.
- A loss is reported on the income statement. If the write-down is related to inventory, it may be recorded as a cost of goods sold (COGS). Otherwise, it is listed as a separate impairment loss line item on the income statement.
- The asset’s carrying value on the balance sheet is written down to fair value. Shareholder equity on the balance sheet is reduced as a result of the impairment loss on the income statement. An impairment may also create a deferred tax asset or reduce a deferred tax liability.
The Bottom Line
In accounting, a write-down is a term for an asset’s reduction in book value when its fair market value (FMV) has fallen below the carrying book value, and thus becomes an impaired asset. The amount of the write-down is the difference between the book value of the asset and the amount of cash that the business can obtain by disposing of it in the most optimal manner.
