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Q.On 1st April, 2023, GI Ltd. issued 40,000, 12% debentures of ₹ 100 each at a premium of 10%, redeemable at par after five years. The company closes its books on 31st March every year. Interest on debentures is payable half-yearly on 30th September and 31st March every year. Pass necessary journal entries in the books of the company for issue of debentures and payment of interest for the year ended 31st March, 2024.

CBSECBSE Class XII Board 2025Subjective· 4mImportance★★★★★
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GI Ltd. issued 40,000 debentures at a 10% premium (₹4,00,000 total premium) and pays 12% interest half-yearly. The journal entries record the issue (debiting Bank, crediting Debentures and Securities Premium Reserve) and the two interest payments (debiting Interest on Debentures, crediting Bank, with a transfer to the Statement of Profit & Loss at year-end).

Concept and Accounting Treatment

When a company issues debentures at a premium, the premium is not income — it is a capital receipt that must be credited to a separate reserve called Securities Premium Reserve. This reserve can later be used for specific purposes (like issuing bonus shares or writing off preliminary expenses), but it is never part of the company's profit.

The rule is simple: the amount received from debenture holders is split — the face value goes to the Debentures Account (a liability), and the excess (premium) goes to Securities Premium Reserve (a shareholders' fund under Reserves & Surplus).

For interest: 12% per annum on the face value, payable half-yearly. Interest is a charge against profit, not an appropriation. It is paid on 30th September and 31st March. At year-end (31st March), the total interest expense for the year is transferred to the Statement of Profit & Loss.

Watch out

Common Pitfall

Students often debit the full interest amount to the Debentures Account. Wrong — interest is an expense, not a reduction in liability. Always debit Interest on Debentures (an expense account), not the Debentures Account.

Solution: Journal Entries in the Books of GI Ltd.

Part A: Issue of Debentures (1st April, 2023)

DateParticularsL.F.Debit (₹)Credit (₹)
2023
Apr 1
Bank A/c (40,000 × ₹110)Dr.44,00,000
To 12% Debentures A/c (40,000 × ₹100)40,00,000
To Securities Premium Reserve A/c (40,000 × ₹10)4,00,000
(Being 40,000, 12% debentures of ₹100 each issued at a premium of 10%, redeemable at par)

Part B: Payment of Interest for the Year Ended 31st March, 2024

Interest calculation:

  • Face value of debentures: ₹40,00,000
  • Annual interest @ 12%: ₹40,00,000 × 12% = ₹4,80,000
  • Half-yearly interest: ₹4,80,000 ÷ 2 = ₹2,40,000

First half-year (1st April 2023 to 30th September 2023):

DateParticularsL.F.Debit (₹)Credit (₹)
2023
Sep 30
Interest on Debentures A/cDr.2,40,000
To Bank A/c2,40,000
(Being half-yearly interest paid on debentures for the period 1st April 2023 to 30th September 2023)

Second half-year (1st October 2023 to 31st March 2024):

DateParticularsL.F.Debit (₹)Credit (₹)
2024
Mar 31
Interest on Debentures A/cDr.2,40,000
To Bank A/c2,40,000
(Being half-yearly interest paid on debentures for the period 1st October 2023 to 31st March 2024)

Transfer of interest expense to Statement of Profit & Loss at year-end:

DateParticularsL.F.Debit (₹)Credit (₹)
2024
Mar 31
Statement of Profit & Loss A/cDr.4,80,000
To Interest on Debentures A/c4,80,000
(Being interest on debentures for the year transferred to Statement of Profit & Loss)
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