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No while using allowance method, bad debts are charged to allowance for bad debts account rather charging the accounts receivable because accounts receivable was already charged with allowance when it was created.
The two methods for handling bad debts are, the specific write-off method and the allowance method.
The direct write-off method. For tax purposes, companies must use the direct write-off method, under which bad debts are recognized only after the company is certain the debt will not be paid. Before determining that an account balance is uncollectible, a company generally makes several attempts to collect the debt from the customer. Recognizing the bad debt requires a journal entry that increases a bad debts expense account and decreases accounts receivable.
Direct write-off does not correspond to the time of the initial debt. It charges bad debts against revenue for the current accounting period (i.e. when the debt is proven to be uncollectible).The allowance method is a set-aside wherein a business can retroactively assign bad debts to the corresponding revenue period, or to the one(s) following it.
Direct write off means, to expensed out those accounts receivables to profit and loss account which becomes bad debts and seem unrecovrable from debtors. Other way to write off bad debts is through "Allowance for uncollectable" method which is indirect method to write off bad debts.
No while using allowance method, bad debts are charged to allowance for bad debts account rather charging the accounts receivable because accounts receivable was already charged with allowance when it was created.
The two methods for handling bad debts are, the specific write-off method and the allowance method.
Bad debts DR Allowance for doubtful debt CR Some accounting practioners may use provison for doubtful debts instead of allowance for doubtful debts. Example of bad debts, suppose a customer was unable to pay their debts totalling $150. This will be the journal entry for the transaction: Bad debts 150 Allowance for doubtful debts 150
The direct write-off method. For tax purposes, companies must use the direct write-off method, under which bad debts are recognized only after the company is certain the debt will not be paid. Before determining that an account balance is uncollectible, a company generally makes several attempts to collect the debt from the customer. Recognizing the bad debt requires a journal entry that increases a bad debts expense account and decreases accounts receivable.
Direct write-off does not correspond to the time of the initial debt. It charges bad debts against revenue for the current accounting period (i.e. when the debt is proven to be uncollectible).The allowance method is a set-aside wherein a business can retroactively assign bad debts to the corresponding revenue period, or to the one(s) following it.
Under the allowance method bad debt expenses are charged to allowance for bad debts accounts instead of profit and loss account because profit and loss account is already charged with the allowance amount created.
Direct write off means, to expensed out those accounts receivables to profit and loss account which becomes bad debts and seem unrecovrable from debtors. Other way to write off bad debts is through "Allowance for uncollectable" method which is indirect method to write off bad debts.
Bad debts is the direct write-off method of uncollectable for accounts receivable.
The Allowance for bad debts will go the on the debit side of the Balance Sheet. If total debtors are 20000 and 5% is allowed as allowance for bad debts then 19000 will be shown as debtors and 1000 will be shown as allowance for bad debts in the debit side of the Balance Sheet. When the bad debts actually occur for e.g. if next year bad debts of 500 actually turn out, then the allowance will be reduced by Rs. 500 and the bad debts will be shown in the Dr. Side of Profit and Loss Account.
Prudence concept
The Allowance for Doubtful Account is on the asset side of the balance sheet because this account is a contra account to accounts receivable. In accrual accounting there is an assumption that not all receivables will be paid.
It depends on how you do it. If you use a place that consolidates your debt by asking credit card companies & the like to reduce your debt or interest rate, then yes, it could be harmful to your.The Allowance for bad debts will go the on the debit side of the Balance Sheet. If total debtors are 20000 and 5% is allowed as allowance for bad debts then 19000 will be shown as debtors and 1000