The question of the correct classification of a fixed asset, such as a household or industrial refrigerator, is one of the most common in the practice of an accountant during primary accounting. Not only the structure of the enterprise’s balance sheet, but also the procedure for calculating depreciation, as well as the tax base for property tax, depends on which account you put this equipment into. Incorrectly classifying an asset as materials instead of fixed assets can lead to distortion of financial statements and claims from tax authorities during audits.
The key factor here is not so much the functional purpose of the item, but its initial cost and expected useful life. Depending on the accounting policy of the organization and the limit established for recognizing assets as low-value, entries can vary dramatically. Below we will analyze in detail the criteria for classifying refrigeration equipment as account 01 “Fixed assets” or account 10 “Materials”, and also consider the nuances of tax accounting.
Criteria for classifying them as fixed assets
According to the current accounting regulations (PBU 6/01), in order to recognize an asset as a fixed asset, it is necessary to simultaneously fulfillment of a number of conditions. Initial cost the object must exceed the limit established in the accounting policy of the organization (often this is 100,000 rubles, but it may be less). In addition, the asset must be used in the production of products, in the performance of work or provision of services, or for the management needs of the organization.
The second critically important parameter is useful life. It must exceed 12 months. For refrigerators, especially industrial or specialty display cabinets, the service life is usually between 5 and 10 years, which automatically satisfies this requirement. If we are talking about a cheap household refrigerator purchased for office needs, and its cost is below the established limit, it can be taken into account differently.
Also, the asset must be intended for use by the organization and not intended for subsequent resale. If a company purchases a batch of refrigerators for sale in a retail store, then these are already inventory items (account 41), and not fixed assets. It is important to clearly separate the purposes of the purchase, since the choice of account depends on this.
Accounting on account 01: when the refrigerator is an operating system
If the cost of the purchased refrigeration equipment exceeds the limit established in your accounting policy (for example, 100,000 rubles), and the service life exceeds a year, the asset is accepted to account accounting 01 “Fixed Assets”. In this case, the object is subject to mandatory depreciation. The cost is transferred to the cost of production or selling expenses gradually, throughout the entire useful life.
To reflect transactions, an account is used 08 "Investments in non-current assets" at the time of purchase and installation. After commissioning, the amount accumulated on account 08 is transferred to account 01. Depreciation is calculated using the linear or non-linear method, which must also be specified in the local regulations of the enterprise.
The entries when accepted for accounting will look like this:
- 🔹 Dt 08 Kt 60 - the cost of the purchased refrigerator is reflected;
- 🔹 Dt 19 Kt 60 - input VAT is allocated;
- 🔹 Dt 01 Kt 08 - the refrigerator was put into operation as a fixed asset.
If you set a lower limit in accounting (for example, 40,000 rubles), then temporary differences will arise (PBU 18/02), which will require additional attention when generating reports.
⚠️ Attention: If you work on the simplified taxation system (STS), the rules may differ. The limit for fixed assets there is also 100,000 rubles, but the procedure for recognizing expenses depends on the selected tax object.
Accounting on account 10: low-value items
In a situation where the cost of the refrigerator does not reach the threshold established in the accounting policy (for example, less than 100,000 rubles for tax purposes or less than 40,000/20,000 rubles for accounting), it is not recognized as a fixed asset. In the balance sheet, such assets are often reflected as part of inventories in an account 10 "Materials" or in a separate sub-account.
The main advantage of this approach is the possibility of a one-time write-off of the value of the asset as expenses. This allows the organization to quickly reduce the tax base for profits or the simplified tax system in the current period. However, even being accounted for in account 10, an object requires control over its presence and movement.
To account for such items, a special sub-account is often opened, for example, 10.9 “Low-value and wear-and-tear items” or an off-balance sheet account 001 is used. This is necessary in order to ensure the safety of the property and control its physical presence, since the service life still exceeds one year.
☑️ Check before writing off to account 10
Typical entries when accounting for a low-value refrigerator:
- 🔹 Dt 10 Kt 60 - the cost of the refrigerator as a material has been capitalized;
- 🔹 Dt 19 Kt 60 - taken into account input VAT;
- 🔹 Dt 20 (26, 44) Kt 10 - the cost is written off as expenses upon commissioning.
It is worth noting that the choice of write-off method (lump sum or through depreciation) for assets recorded on account 10 depends on the company’s internal regulations. Some organizations prefer to write off the cost gradually to avoid sharp jumps in expenses in the month of purchase.
Differences in accounting and tax accounting
One of the most difficult tasks for an accountant is maintaining parallel accounting. In tax accounting (for profit tax purposes), the criterion for classification as fixed assets is strictly fixed in the Tax Code of the Russian Federation. Property worth more than 100,000 rubles and a service life of more than 12 months is considered depreciable. Anything that is cheaper can be taken into account as material expenses.
In accounting, an organization has the right to independently set a value limit for recognizing assets as fixed assets. This right is enshrined in PBU 6/01. If the company has set a limit of 40,000 rubles, then a refrigerator worth 80,000 rubles in accounting will go to account 10 (or 01 with rapid depreciation), and in tax account it will still be considered a fixed asset (fixed asset) with a cost of 80,000 < 100,000? No, in the tax authorities it will also be an MPZ, since 80k < 100k. But if the cost is 150,000 rubles, then in both accounts it is OS. The difference arises if the limit in accounting is 100,000, and in tax accounting it is also 100,000, but the organization decided to lower the limit in accounting to 50,000.
If in accounting the limit is 50,000 rubles, and in tax accounting it is 100,000 rubles, then when buying a refrigerator for 80,000 rubles. there will be a difference:
- 🔹 Accounting: the asset is written off at a time (or after 10 accounts), since 80 > 50 (if the limit is 50) or 80 < 50? Let's clarify. If the limit is 50,000, then 80,000 is the OS (account 01). If the limit is 100,000, then 80,000 is the MPZ (count 10). Let’s say the accounting limit is 100,000, then 80,000 is the 10th account. In tax 80,000 < 100,000, also expenses. There are no differences.
- 🔹 Complex case: The limit in accounting is 40,000 rubles. The cost of the refrigerator is 60,000 rubles. In accounting, this is fixed assets (account 01), and is depreciated. In tax accounting (limit 100,000), these are material expenses that are written off at a time. A deductible temporary difference arises.
What is PBU 18/02?
This is a provision governing the accounting of income tax calculations. It requires reflecting the differences between accounting and tax accounting, which leads to the appearance of deferred tax assets (DTA) or liabilities (DTA).
To minimize labor costs, many organizations strive to bring the limits in accounting and tax accounting closer together, setting them at the level of 100,000 rubles. This avoids the occurrence of temporary differences and simplifies the work of the accountant when preparing monthly reports.
Features of accounting for industrial refrigerators
Industrial refrigeration equipment (blast freezing chambers, chillers, units for warehouses) almost always falls into the category of fixed assets. Their cost is rarely low, and their design complexity implies a long service life. Such facilities often require installation and commissioning, which are also capitalized.
An important point is the classification of an industrial refrigerator in OKOF (All-Russian Classifier of Fixed Assets). The depreciation group to which the object will be assigned depends on the correct selection of the OKOF code. This, in turn, determines the useful life for tax accounting.
| Equipment type | Approximate OKOF code | Depreciation group | Service life (years) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator household | 330.28.25.12.119 | 4 group | 5-7 |
| Refrigeration cabinet | 330.28.25.12.119 | 4 group | 5-7 |
| Refrigeration unit | 330.28.13.1 | 4 group | 5-7 |
| Chamber refrigeration | 330.28.25.12 | group 4 | 5-7 |
When installing complex industrial equipment, the costs of installation, connection to communications and initial setup are included in the initial cost of the facility. These expenses are accumulated on account 08 until the facility is put into operation.
Documentation and inventory
Regardless of which account (01 or 10) the refrigerator is assigned, it must be properly documented. The basis for acceptance for accounting is the transfer and acceptance act (form OS-1 for fixed assets or an act for inventories). Without a primary document, not a single transaction can be carried out legally.
Each fixed asset is assigned an inventory number, which is applied to the body of the object. This number is retained for the entire service life. For items recorded on account 10 as low-value, it is also recommended to keep records (for example, in warehouse cards or on off-balance sheet account 001) in order to control their location.
Inventory of refrigeration equipment should be carried out regularly. For fixed assets - usually once a year before drawing up the annual balance sheet. For low-value items, the frequency can be set by the head of the organization, but also at least once a year. During the audit, the actual availability of equipment is verified with accounting data.
⚠️ Attention: If there are no inventory numbers or tags on the refrigerators during the audit, the tax office may question the legality of attributing acquisition costs and depreciation charges.
If the refrigerator has been modernized or has been upgraded renovations that increase service life or capacity, these costs are also capitalized. They increase the initial cost of the object in account 01. Current repairs aimed only at maintaining operability are included in the current expenses of the period.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Can a refrigerator worth 15,000 rubles be written off immediately as an expense?
Yes, if your accounting policy sets a limit for fixed assets above this amount (for example, 40,000 or 100,000 rubles). In this case, it is accounted for on account 10 and written off at once upon commissioning.
Is it necessary to charge depreciation on a refrigerator if it is in a warehouse and not in use?
According to PBU 6/01, depreciation is accrued from the 1st day of the month following the month the object was accepted for accounting accounting. Suspension of depreciation is possible only in cases of reconstruction and modernization lasting more than 12 months or conservation of an object for a period of more than 3 months.
How to account for a refrigerator received as a gift?
Fixed assets received free of charge are accepted for accounting at market value on the date of capitalization. In accounting, the cost is included in other income (account 98, then 84 or immediately 91, depending on the accounting policy), and in tax accounting it is included in non-operating income.
Does the brand of the refrigerator (Indesit, Liebherr) affect the choice of accounting account?
No, the brand does not matter for accounting. Only quantitative indicators are important: cost and service life. However, the brand may influence the useful life declared by the manufacturer in the passport, which is taken into account when determining the depreciation group.
What to do if the limit is not set in the accounting policy?
If the limit is not set, the default threshold for accounting purposes is 40,000 rubles (according to PBU 6/01, although from 2021 The organization has the right to set any limit itself). For tax accounting, the limit is strictly fixed - 100,000 rubles.