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Q.Nidhi, Kunal and Kabir are partners in a firm sharing profits in the ratio of 2 : 1 : 2. Kunal retired and the balance in his capital account after making necessary adjustments on account of reserves, revaluation of assets and reassessment of liabilities was ₹ 80,000. Nidhi and Kabir agreed to pay him ₹ 1,00,000 in full settlement of his claim. Kunal's share of goodwill of the firm, on his retirement was : (A) ₹ 4,000 (B) ₹ 20,000 (C) ₹ 16,000 (D) ₹ 1,80,000

CBSECBSE Class XII Board 2023MCQ· 1mImportance★★★★★
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Kunal’s share of goodwill is ₹20,000, computed as the excess of the settlement amount (₹1,00,000) over his adjusted capital balance (₹80,000).

Concept and Accounting Treatment

When a partner retires, the continuing partners often pay an amount more than the retiring partner’s capital balance. That extra payment is the retiring partner’s share of goodwill — the firm’s reputation and earning power built up over time.

Why does this happen? The retiring partner has a right to be compensated for the goodwill they helped create. The continuing partners (Nidhi and Kabir) will now enjoy the future profits that this goodwill generates, so they must pay for it.

The accounting rule is simple: Any amount paid to the retiring partner over and above their adjusted capital balance is treated as their share of goodwill. This goodwill is then written off by debiting the continuing partners’ capital accounts in their gaining ratio (the ratio in which they will share future profits).

Watch out

Common Mistake

Students often confuse the total goodwill of the firm with the retiring partner’s share. Here, we are directly given the settlement amount and the capital balance. The difference is only the retiring partner’s share — not the firm’s total goodwill. Do not try to gross up the figure unless the question asks for total goodwill.

Solution

Step 1: Identify the key figures

ParticularsAmount (₹)
Kunal’s adjusted capital balance (after reserves, revaluation, etc.)80,000
Amount paid in full settlement1,00,000
Excess paid (Kunal’s share of goodwill)20,000

Step 2: Journal Entry for payment to Kunal

DateParticularsL.F.Debit (₹)Credit (₹)
Kunal’s Capital A/c Dr.80,000
Goodwill A/c (Kunal’s share) Dr.20,000
To Bank A/c1,00,000
(Being payment made to Kunal on retirement in full settlement)
Note

Why this entry?

We debit Kunal’s Capital A/c to close his balance. We debit Goodwill A/c because the extra ₹20,000 is the value of his share of goodwill that the firm is paying him. We credit Bank A/c for the actual cash paid.

Step 3: Write off Kunal’s goodwill to continuing partners

Since Nidhi and Kabir will now share future profits, they must bear this goodwill in their gaining ratio.

Old ratio: Nidhi : Kunal : Kabir = 2 : 1 : 2

New ratio (after Kunal retires): Nidhi : Kabir = 2 : 2 = 1 : 1

Gaining ratio = New ratio – Old ratio (for continuing partners)

  • Nidhi’s gain = 1/2 – 2/5 = (5 – 4)/10 = 1/10
  • Kabir’s gain = 1/2 – 2/5 = (5 – 4)/10 = 1/10

So gaining ratio = 1 : 1

| Date | Particulars | L.F. | Debit (₹) | Credit (₹) |

|---|---|---|---|---| …

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