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Lease liability

At commencement, discount included lease payments that are unpaid using the interest rate implicit in the lease if readily determinable; otherwise use the lessee’s incremental borrowing rate. Subsequently increase the liability for interest and reduce it for lease payments, with remeasurement when required. The related right-of-use asset is measured separately and can differ because of prepayments, incentives and other cost components. Short-term and low-value exemptions may apply if the conditions and elections are met.

Worked example

A liability begins at 100,000 and bears 5% interest for the year. Interest increases it by 5,000. A payment of 30,000 at the year end reduces the closing liability to 75,000, assuming no remeasurement.

Common mistake

Charging the whole lease payment as interest, or equating the liability automatically with the right-of-use asset after commencement.

Where it appears in your exams

QualificationExamRelationshipPeriod
ACCA FR Direct September 2026–June 2027
ACCA SBR Direct September 2026–June 2027