Last reviewed: July 2026.
Share premium is the amount received above the nominal or par value credited to share capital under local law. Many jurisdictions use the label share premium; others use additional paid-in capital or a no-par-value structure.
IFRS focuses on equity classification and transaction substance. Legal restrictions on using a share premium account depend on the company's jurisdiction.
Basic share premium calculation
Share premium = Issue proceeds − Nominal value credited to share capital
If 50,000 shares with nominal value 1 CU are issued for 4 CU each, total proceeds are 200,000 CU and share premium is 150,000 CU.
Issue entry
- Debit cash 200,000 CU
- Credit share capital 50,000 CU
- Credit share premium 150,000 CU
Total contributed equity increases by 200,000 CU before issue costs.
What share premium represents
Share premium is contributed equity from owners. It is not revenue and does not increase profit.
It also does not represent a separate cash fund; cash received may be used in the business subject to legal restrictions.
No-par-value shares
In no-par-value jurisdictions, the full issue proceeds may be credited to stated capital or another contributed-equity account. A separate share premium account may not exist.
Use the legal capital structure applicable to the entity.
Equity issue costs
Directly attributable incremental costs of issuing equity instruments are deducted from equity, net of related tax effects.
For 12,000 CU qualifying costs:
- Debit share premium or another equity account 12,000 CU
- Credit cash or payable 12,000 CU
Mixed transactions
If an issue includes both equity and liability components, allocate transaction costs consistently with the allocation of proceeds. Liability-related costs affect the effective interest calculation.
Bonus issue using share premium
Local law may permit share premium to be capitalised in a bonus issue:
- Debit share premium
- Credit share capital
Total equity remains unchanged. Legal eligibility must be confirmed.
Writing off issue expenses
Qualifying equity issue costs reduce equity under IAS 32. They are not ordinary operating expenses merely because local legal terminology says they may be written off against share premium.
Tax treatment is separate.
Rights issues
Rights issue proceeds above nominal value increase share premium or equivalent contributed equity. Underwriting and professional fees directly attributable to the issue reduce equity.
Review the share capital accounting guide.
Rights issue proceeds above nominal value increase share premium or equivalent contributed equity. Underwriting and professional fees directly attributable to the issue reduce equity.
Review the focused bonus and rights issue guide.
Share premium and dividends
Share premium is not retained earnings. Whether it can be distributed depends on local company law and capital-maintenance rules.
Do not assume an accounting equity balance is legally distributable.
Share premium and losses
Operating losses are normally accumulated in retained earnings. They are not automatically charged to share premium unless local law and a properly authorised capital reorganisation permit it.
Conversion of debt
When debt is converted into equity, allocate the equity amount between share capital and other contributed equity according to legal requirements and the accounting for the instrument.
Acquisition consideration
Shares issued in a business combination increase share capital and other contributed equity. Measurement follows IFRS 3 and financial-instrument requirements.
See the goodwill accounting guide.
Treasury share transactions
Consideration paid to reacquire own shares is deducted from equity. Subsequent sale or reissue differences remain in equity and are not profit or loss.
Capital reconstruction example
A legally approved reconstruction may reduce share capital or reorganise reserves to eliminate accumulated losses. The entries are equity movements and should follow the approved scheme exactly.
Do not create profit from the reconstruction.
Share premium versus retained earnings
Share premium comes from owner contributions, while retained earnings arise from recognised results and distributions. Their legal availability can differ significantly.
Review the dividend accounting guide.
Foreign currency share issues
When shares are issued for foreign currency, translate the proceeds at the transaction-date rate. Later exchange differences on an unpaid receivable depend on whether a monetary item remains.
Presentation
Present share premium as a separate component of equity when required or material. Reconcile opening balance, new issues, issue costs, bonus capitalisation and reorganisations.
The financial statements guide explains equity reporting.
Disclosure and controls
- reconcile proceeds to bank receipts;
- verify shares issued and nominal value;
- approve allocation between equity accounts;
- identify directly attributable issue costs;
- document legal restrictions on use;
- reconcile to the share register and statement of changes in equity.
Share premium in acquisitions
When shares are issued as acquisition consideration, the equity amount reflects the applicable measurement at the acquisition date. Legal nominal value goes to share capital and the balance goes to other contributed equity.
Audit evidence
Retain subscription documents, bank receipts, registrar confirmations, board approvals, legal filings and the calculation of transaction costs. Reconcile these records to the statement of changes in equity.
Common mistakes
- recording share premium as revenue;
- crediting all proceeds to share capital;
- assuming premium equals cash reserved;
- expensing qualifying equity issue costs;
- using share premium for dividends without legal analysis;
- ignoring no-par-value rules;
- recognising treasury-share differences in profit.
Key takeaway
Share premium is contributed equity above legal share capital. Record issue proceeds and costs correctly, then apply local restrictions to transfers, bonus issues and distributions.
Official references: IAS 32, IFRS 7, and IAS 33.