Last update 17/08/2019
It is impracticable to apply a requirement if the entity cannot apply it after making every reasonable effort to do so. ‘Impracticable’ is a high hurdle. What constitutes undue cost or effort is a matter of judgement.
In short:
IFRS definition IAS 8: Applying a requirement is impracticable when the entity cannot apply it after making every reasonable effort to do so. For a particular prior period, it is impracticable to apply a change in an accounting policy retrospectively or to make a retrospective restatement to correct an error if:
- the effects of the retrospective application or retrospective restatement are not determinable;
- the retrospective application or retrospective restatement requires assumptions about what management’s intent would have been in that period; or
- the retrospective application or retrospective restatement requires significant estimates of amounts and it is impossible to distinguish objectively information about those estimates that:
- provides evidence of circumstances that existed on the date(s) as at which those amounts are to be recognised,
measured or disclosed; and - would have been available when the financial statements for that prior
- provides evidence of circumstances that existed on the date(s) as at which those amounts are to be recognised,
IFRS definition IAS 1 7: Applying a requirement is impracticable when the entity cannot apply it after making every reasonable effort to do so.
The longer version
Either:
- Applying a requirement is impracticable when the entity cannot apply it after making every reasonable effort to do so.
- Applying a requirement is impracticable when the entity cannot apply it after making every reasonable effort to do so. For a particular prior period, it is impracticable to apply a change in an accounting policy retrospectively or to make a retrospective restatement to correct an error if:
- The effects of the retrospective application or retrospective restatement are not determinable;
- The retrospective application or retrospective restatement requires assumptions about what management’s intent would have been in that period; or
- The retrospective application or retrospective restatement requires significant estimates of amounts and it is impossible to distinguish objectively information about those estimates that:
- Provides evidence of circumstances that existed on the date(s) as at which those amounts are to be recognised, measured, or disclosed; and
- Would have been available when the financial statements for that prior period were authorised for issue;
from other information.


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