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Q.Suman and Lata were partners in a firm sharing profits and losses in the ratio of 3 : 2. On 1st April, 2023, their capital accounts showed balances of ₹ 1,50,000 and ₹ 2,00,000, respectively. The partnership deed provided for interest on capital @ 8% p.a. Show the treatment of interest on capital in the following cases if :

(i) The firm earned a profit of ₹ 14,000 for the year ended 31st March, 2024.
(ii) The firm earned a profit of ₹ 60,000 for the year ended 31st March, 2024.
CBSECBSE Class XII Board 2025Subjective· 3mImportance★★★★★
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Case (i): Net profit ₹14,000 is insufficient to cover full interest (₹28,000); interest is distributed proportionately (₹12,000 and ₹16,000 to Suman and Lata), leaving zero for profit-sharing. Case (ii): Full interest (₹12,000 and ₹16,000) is provided; remaining profit ₹32,000 is shared 3:2.

Concept: Interest on Capital as an Appropriation

Interest on capital is an appropriation of profit, not a charge against profit. This means it is distributed out of the available net profit shown by the Profit & Loss Account. The treatment depends on whether the profit is sufficient to meet the full interest entitlement.

When the partnership deed provides for interest on capital, we calculate the amount due to each partner at the agreed rate. However, if the net profit for the year is less than the total interest due, the available profit is distributed among the partners in the ratio of their interest entitlements (which mirrors their capital ratio if the rate is uniform). No partner receives more than the profit allows, and no loss is created by providing interest.

The accounting treatment flows through the Profit & Loss Appropriation Account, which starts with the net profit and shows how it is divided—first interest on capital (to the extent possible), then the residual profit (if any) in the profit-sharing ratio.


Solution

Working Notes

W.N. 1: Calculation of Interest on Capital (Full Entitlement)

  • Suman's Capital = ₹1,50,000

    Interest @ 8% p.a. = 1,50,000×8100=₹12,000\frac{1,50,000 \times 8}{100} = ₹12,000

  • Lata's Capital = ₹2,00,000

    Interest @ 8% p.a. = 2,00,000×8100=₹16,000\frac{2,00,000 \times 8}{100} = ₹16,000

Total Interest on Capital = ₹12,000 + ₹16,000 = ₹28,000


Case (i): Net Profit = ₹14,000

The net profit (₹14,000) is less than the total interest due (₹28,000). Therefore, the entire profit is distributed as interest on capital in the ratio of the partners' interest entitlements.

W.N. 2: Ratio of Interest Entitlements

Suman : Lata = ₹12,000 : ₹16,000 = 3 : 4

W.N. 3: Distribution of Available Profit (₹14,000) in 3:4 Ratio

  • Suman's share = 37×14,000=₹6,000\frac{3}{7} \times 14,000 = ₹6,000
  • Lata's share = 47×14,000=₹8,000\frac{4}{7} \times 14,000 = ₹8,000
Watch out

A common mistake is to provide full interest (₹28,000) even when profit is only ₹14,000, creating a loss of ₹14,000 to be shared. Interest on capital cannot exceed the available profit; it is an appropriation, not a charge.

Profit & Loss Appropriation Account

for the year ended 31st March, 2024

ParticularsAmount (₹)ParticularsAmount (₹)
Interest on Capital:Profit & Loss A/c (Net Profit)14,000
Suman6,000
Lata8,00014,000
Total14,000Total14,000

Since the entire profit is absorbed by (partial) interest on capital, there is no residual profit to distribute in the profit-sharing ratio of 3:2.

Journal Entry

DateParticularsL.F.Debit (₹)Credit (₹)
31st March, 2024Profit & Loss Appropriation A/c Dr.14,000
To Suman's Capital A/c6,000
To Lata's Capital A/c8,000
(Being interest on capital provided to the extent of available profit)

Case (ii): Net Profit = ₹60,000

The net profit (₹60,000) is more than the total interest due (₹28,000). Therefore, full interest is provided to both partners, and the remaining profit is distributed in the profit-sharing ratio.

W.N. 4: Residual Profit after Interest

Net Profit = ₹60,000

Less: Interest on Capital = ₹28,000

Residual Profit = ₹32,000

W.N. 5: Distribution of Residual Profit in 3:2 Ratio …

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