Adjusting Entry for Interest on Capital

Written by True Tamplin, BSc, CEPF®

Reviewed by Subject Matter Experts

Updated on April 24, 2023

A business owner may regard their capital as an investment on which they should receive interest.

Interest at a normal rate is calculated on owner's capital and is charged to the income statement (or profit and loss account) for the purpose of ascertaining what extra income is derived from the business over and above the usual rate of interest on capital employed.

The capital invested in the business is treated as a loan granted to the business.

Accounting Treatment

The amount of interest charged on capital is an indirect expense of the business, and on the other hand, it is a form of income for the owner. Interest on capital has the following two effects on final accounts:

  • It is an expense of the business, so it will be recorded on the debit side of the profit and loss account
  • It is a form of income for the owner, so it will be added to the capital account in the balance sheet

Adjusting Entries

Interest on capital is an expense to business. To record it, make the following adjusting entry:

Adjusting Entry For Interest On Capital

Example

Mr. White's capital balance was $50,000 on 1 January 2016. Interest is allowed on capital at the rate of 10%.

Required: Make adjusting entries for 31 December 2016.

Solution

On 31 December 2016, the following adjusting entry will be made to record interest on Mr. White's capital:

Adjusting Entry For Mr. White

Note: Interest on capital amounts to $50,000 × 0.1 = $5,000.

Adjusting Entry for Interest on Capital FAQs

About the Author

True Tamplin, BSc, CEPF®

True Tamplin is a published author, public speaker, CEO of UpDigital, and founder of Finance Strategists.

True is a Certified Educator in Personal Finance (CEPF®), author of The Handy Financial Ratios Guide, a member of the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing, contributes to his financial education site, Finance Strategists, and has spoken to various financial communities such as the CFA Institute, as well as university students like his Alma mater, Biola University, where he received a bachelor of science in business and data analytics.

To learn more about True, visit his personal website or view his author profiles on Amazon, Nasdaq and Forbes.