Last reviewed: July 2026.
IAS 38 requires entities to disclose information about recognised intangible assets and the total research and development expenditure recognised as an expense during the period. Useful disclosure connects the accounting policy, capitalised development assets, amortisation, impairment and expensed project costs.
Research expenditure is expensed, while development expenditure is capitalised only from the date all recognition criteria are demonstrated.
Research versus development
| Phase | Accounting treatment | Disclosure focus |
|---|---|---|
| Research | Expense when incurred | Total expense and material project context |
| Development before criteria are met | Expense | Judgements about recognition date |
| Development after all criteria are met | Capitalise directly attributable cost | Carrying amount, useful life, amortisation and impairment |
| Available for use | Stop capitalisation and begin amortisation for finite-life assets | Method, useful life and expense |
Total R&D expense disclosure
IAS 38 requires disclosure of the aggregate amount of research and development expenditure recognised as an expense during the period.
The amount should include relevant research and non-capitalised development expenditure, consistently defined and reconciled to the accounting records.
Accounting policy disclosure
Explain how the entity distinguishes research from development, identifies the capitalisation date, measures directly attributable costs and determines when the asset is available for use.
A generic quotation of the Standard is less useful than an entity-specific explanation.
Development capitalisation criteria
Capitalisation begins only when the entity demonstrates technical feasibility, intention and ability to complete and use or sell the asset, probable future benefits, adequate resources and reliable measurement of expenditure.
Review the IAS 38 research and development guide.
Judgements about the recognition date
The date all criteria become satisfied can materially affect profit and assets. Disclose significant judgements when the effect is material.
Earlier research and development expense cannot be reinstated as an asset after the criteria are met.
Classes of intangible assets
Present development assets in an appropriate class, separate from software, patents, licences and acquired brands when material. Internally generated and acquired assets may require separate information.
Useful lives and amortisation
For finite-life development assets, disclose useful lives or amortisation rates, methods and the line item containing amortisation expense.
Amortisation begins when the asset is available for use, not necessarily when commercial sales begin.
Carrying amount reconciliation
For each material intangible-asset class, disclose opening and closing gross carrying amount and accumulated amortisation and impairment, plus movements such as additions, amortisation, impairment, disposals, exchange differences and reclassifications.
Worked disclosure example
An entity spends 1,200,000 CU on R&D. Research and early development expense is 450,000 CU. After the recognition date, 750,000 CU is capitalised. The asset is not yet available for use at year end.
- R&D expense disclosed: 450,000 CU
- Development asset addition: 750,000 CU
- Amortisation: zero until available for use
- Annual impairment testing: required while not yet available for use
Impairment disclosure
Development assets not yet available for use are tested annually and when indicators exist. Disclose material impairment losses and the related cash-generating-unit information under IAS 36.
Project cancellation
Cancellation, technical failure, loss of funding or weaker demand may trigger impairment or derecognition. Explain material write-offs and the events that caused them.
Commitments
Disclose contractual commitments for acquisition of intangible assets when required. Internal budgets and uncommitted future research plans are not the same as contractual commitments.
Government grants and tax incentives
Grants, credits and tax deductions are accounted for under their applicable requirements. They do not change whether project expenditure meets IAS 38 recognition criteria.
Internally generated brands and goodwill
Internally generated brands, publishing titles, customer lists and goodwill are not recognised under IAS 38. Material expenditure may still be relevant to users through expense and narrative disclosure.
Segment and management information
When R&D is central to strategy, entity-specific explanations of major programmes, milestones and risk can complement IFRS disclosures, provided they are balanced and consistent with recognised amounts.
IASB intangible-assets project
The IASB is reviewing IAS 38, including user needs for information about recognised and unrecognised intangible assets and related expenditure. As of July 2026, the research has not replaced current IAS 38 requirements.
Research partnerships and joint arrangements
Collaborative R&D can involve licences, cost-sharing, grants, contract assets or interests in joint arrangements. Disclosures should reflect the entity's rights, obligations and accounting rather than combining every collaborative payment as internal R&D.
Software and digital projects
Software development often includes research, configuration, coding, testing, data conversion, training and maintenance. Project records should identify which activities qualify for capitalisation and which remain expenses.
Reconciliation to cash flow
Capitalised development expenditure is generally investing cash flow under IAS 7, while expensed R&D can affect operating cash flows. Reconcile material project spending with statement-of-cash-flow classifications.
Disclosure controls
- reconcile project codes to the ledger;
- document the date each capitalisation criterion is met;
- separate research, development, maintenance, training and marketing;
- confirm available-for-use dates;
- review useful lives and impairment;
- reconcile the disclosed R&D expense to financial statements;
- review narrative claims for consistency with accounting evidence.
Materiality
Disaggregate material development projects or classes when aggregation would obscure risk, useful life or impairment information.
Use the materiality judgement guide and the financial statements guide.
Common mistakes
- disclosing only capitalised development additions;
- omitting total R&D expense;
- capitalising before all criteria are demonstrated;
- reinstating previously expensed costs;
- starting amortisation at commercial launch rather than availability for use;
- ignoring annual impairment testing before use;
- treating IASB research as an effective amendment.
Key takeaway
R&D disclosure should explain both expense and recognised development assets. Reconcile project records to the notes and make capitalisation judgements, useful lives and impairment information transparent.
Official references: IAS 38 Intangible Assets and IASB Intangible Assets project.