IAS 21
© IFRS Foundation 1431
International Accounting Standard 21
The Effects of Changes in Foreign
Exchange Rates
This version includes amendments resulting from IFRSs issued up to 31 December 2010 with an effective
date no later than 1 January 2011.
IAS 21 The Effects of Changes in Foreign Exchange Rates was issued by the International
Accounting Standards Committee in December 1993. It replaced IAS 21 Accounting for the
Effects of Changes in Foreign Exchange Rates (issued in July 1983).
Limited amendments were made to cross-references in IAS 21 in 1998 and 1999.
The Standing Interpretations Committee developed four Interpretations relating to IAS 21:
• SIC-7 Introduction of the Euro (issued May 1998)
• SIC-11 Foreign Exchange—Capitalisation of Losses Resulting from Severe Currency Devaluations
(issued July 1998)
• SIC-19 Reporting Currency—Measurement and Presentation of Financial Statements under
IAS 21 and IAS 29 (issued November 2000)
• SIC-30 Reporting Currency—Translation from Measurement Currency to Presentation Currency
(issued December 2001).
In April 2001 the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) resolved that all
Standards and Interpretations issued under previous Constitutions continued to be
applicable unless and until they were amended or withdrawn.
In December 2003 the IASB issued a revised IAS 21. The revised standard also amended
SIC-7, to which IAS 21 still refers, and replaced SIC-11, SIC-19 and SIC-30.
Since 2003, IAS 21 and its accompanying documents have been amended by the following
IFRSs:
• Net Investment in a Foreign Operation (Amendment to IAS 21) (issued December 2005)
• IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements (as revised in September 2007)*
• IAS 27 Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements (as amended in January 2008)†
• Cost of an Investment in a Subsidiary, Jointly Controlled Entity or Associate
(Amendments to IFRS 1 and IAS 27) (issued May 2008)*
• Improvements to IFRSs (issued May 2010).§
* effective date 1 January 2009
† effective date 1 July 2009
§ effective date 1 July 2010
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Apart from SIC-7, the following Interpretation refers to IAS 21:
• IFRIC 16 Hedges of a Net Investment in a Foreign Operation (issued July 2008).
Amendments with an effective date later than 1 January 2011
IAS 21 has been amended by IFRS 9 Financial Instruments (issued November 2009 and
October 2010). Those amendments have an effective date of 1 January 2013 and are
therefore not included in this edition.
IAS 21
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CONTENTS
paragraphs
INTRODUCTION IN1–IN17
INTERNATIONAL ACCOUNTING STANDARD 21
THE EFFECTS OF CHANGES IN FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATES
OBJECTIVE 1–2
SCOPE 3–7
DEFINITIONS 8–16
Elaboration on the definitions 9–16
Functional currency 9–14
Net investment in a foreign operation 15–15A
Monetary items 16
SUMMARY OF THE APPROACH REQUIRED BY THIS STANDARD 17–19
REPORTING FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS IN THE FUNCTIONAL
CURRENCY 20–37
Initial recognition 20–22
Reporting at the ends of subsequent reporting periods 23–26
Recognition of exchange differences 27–34
Change in functional currency 35–37
USE OF A PRESENTATION CURRENCY OTHER THAN THE FUNCTIONAL
CURRENCY 38–49
Translation to the presentation currency 38–43
Translation of a foreign operation 44–47
Disposal or partial disposal of a foreign operation 48–49
TAX EFFECTS OF ALL EXCHANGE DIFFERENCES 50
DISCLOSURE 51–57
EFFECTIVE DATE AND TRANSITION 58–60D
WITHDRAWAL OF OTHER PRONOUNCEMENTS 61–62
APPENDIX
Amendments to other pronouncements
APPROVAL BY THE BOARD OF IAS 21 ISSUED IN DECEMBER 2003
APPROVAL BY THE BOARD OF NET INVESTMENT IN A FOREIGN OPERATION
(AMENDMENT TO IAS 21) ISSUED IN DECEMBER 2005
BASIS FOR CONCLUSIONS
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International Accounting Standard 21 The Effects of Changes in Foreign Exchange Rates
(IAS 21) is set out in paragraphs 1–62 and the Appendix. All the paragraphs have equal
authority but retain the IASC format of the Standard when it was adopted by the IASB.
IAS 21 should be read in the context of its objective and the Basis for Conclusions, the
Preface to International Financial Reporting Standards and the Conceptual Framework for
Financial Reporting. IAS 8 Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors
provides a basis for selecting and applying accounting policies in the absence of explicit
guidance.
IAS 21
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Introduction
IN1 International Accounting Standard 21 The Effects of Changes in Foreign Exchange Rates
(IAS 21) replaces IAS 21 The Effects of Changes in Foreign Exchange Rates (revised in
1993), and should be applied for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January
2005. Earlier application is encouraged. The Standard also replaces the following
Interpretations:
• SIC-11 Foreign Exchange—Capitalisation of Losses Resulting from Severe Currency
Devaluations
• SIC-19 Reporting Currency—Measurement and Presentation of Financial Statements
under IAS 21 and IAS 29
• SIC-30 Reporting Currency—Translation from Measurement Currency to Presentation
Currency.
Reasons for revising IAS 21
IN2 The International Accounting Standards Board developed this revised IAS 21 as
part of its project on Improvements to International Accounting Standards.
The project was undertaken in the light of queries and criticisms raised in
relation to the Standards by securities regulators, professional accountants and
other interested parties. The objectives of the project were to reduce or eliminate
alternatives, redundancies and conflicts within the Standards, to deal with some
convergence issues and to make other improvements.
IN3 For IAS 21 the Board’s main objective was to provide additional guidance on the
translation method and on determining the functional and presentation
currencies. The Board did not reconsider the fundamental approach to
accounting for the effects of changes in foreign exchange rates contained in
IAS 21.
The main changes
IN4 The main changes from the previous version of IAS 21 are described below.
Scope
IN5 The Standard excludes from its scope foreign currency derivatives that are within
the scope of IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement. Similarly, the
material on hedge accounting has been moved to IAS 39.
Definitions
IN6 The notion of ‘reporting currency’ has been replaced with two notions:
• functional currency, ie the currency of the primary economic environment
in which the entity operates. The term ‘functional currency’ is used in
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place of ‘measurement currency’ (the term used in SIC-19) because it is the
more commonly used term, but with essentially the same meaning.
• presentation currency, ie the currency in which financial statements are
presented.
Definitions—functional currency
IN7 When a reporting entity prepares financial statements, the Standard requires
each individual entity included in the reporting entity—whether it is a
stand-alone entity, an entity with foreign operations (such as a parent) or a
foreign operation (such as a subsidiary or branch)—to determine its functional
currency and measure its results and financial position in that currency. The new
material on functional currency incorporates some of the guidance previously
included in SIC-19 on how to determine a measurement currency. However, the
Standard gives greater emphasis than SIC-19 gave to the currency of the economy
that determines the pricing of transactions, as opposed to the currency in which
transactions are denominated.
IN8 As a result of these changes and the incorporation of guidance previously in
SIC-19:
• an entity (whether a stand-alone entity or a foreign operation) does not
have a free choice of functional currency.
• an entity cannot avoid restatement in accordance with IAS 29 Financial
Reporting in Hyperinflationary Economies by, for example, adopting a stable
currency (such as the functional currency of its parent) as its functional
currency.
IN9 The Standard revises the requirements in the previous version of IAS 21 for
distinguishing between foreign operations that are integral to the operations of
the reporting entity (referred to below as ‘integral foreign operations’) and
foreign entities. The requirements are now among the indicators of an entity’s
functional currency. As a result:
• there is no distinction between integral foreign operations and foreign
entities. Rather, an entity that was previously classified as an integral
foreign operation will have the same functional currency as the reporting
entity.
• only one translation method is used for foreign operations—namely that
described in the previous version of IAS 21 as applying to foreign entities
(see paragraph IN13).
• the paragraphs dealing with the distinction between an integral foreign
operation and a foreign entity and the paragraph specifying the translation
method to be used for the former have been deleted.
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Reporting foreign currency transactions in the functional
currency—recognition of exchange differences
IN10 The Standard removes the limited option in the previous version of IAS 21 to
capitalise exchange differences resulting from a severe devaluation or
depreciation of a currency against which there is no means of hedging. Under the
Standard, such exchange differences are now recognised in profit or loss.
Consequently, SIC-11, which outlined restricted circumstances in which such
exchange differences may be capitalised, has been superseded since capitalisation
of such exchange differences is no longer permitted in any circumstances.
Reporting foreign currency transactions in the functional
currency—change in functional currency
IN11 The Standard replaces the previous requirement for accounting for a change in
the classification of a foreign operation (which is now redundant) with a
requirement that a change in functional currency is accounted for prospectively.
Use of a presentation currency other than the functional
currency—translation to the presentation currency
IN12 The Standard permits an entity to present its financial statements in any currency
(or currencies). For this purpose, an entity could be a stand-alone entity, a parent
preparing consolidated financial statements or a parent, an investor or a venturer
preparing separate financial statements in accordance with IAS 27 Consolidated
and Separate Financial Statements.
IN13 An entity is required to translate its results and financial position from its
functional currency into a presentation currency (or currencies) using the
method required for translating a foreign operation for inclusion in the reporting
entity’s financial statements. Under this method, assets and liabilities are
translated at the closing rate, and income and expenses are translated at the
exchange rates at the dates of the transactions (or at the average rate for the
period when this is a reasonable approximation).
IN14 The Standard requires comparative amounts to be translated as follows:
(a) for an entity whose functional currency is not the currency of a
hyperinflationary economy:
(i) assets and liabilities in each statement of financial position presented
are translated at the closing rate at the date of that statement of
financial position (ie last year’s comparatives are translated at last
year’s closing rate).
(ii) income and expenses in each statement of comprehensive income or
separate income statement presented are translated at exchange rates
at the dates of the transactions (ie last year’s comparatives are
translated at last year’s actual or average rate).
(b) for an entity whose functional currency is the currency of a
hyperinflationary economy, and for which the comparative amounts are
translated into the currency of a different hyperinflationary economy, all
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amounts (eg amounts in a statement of financial position and statement of
comprehensive income) are translated at the closing rate of the most recent
statement of financial position presented (ie last year’s comparatives, as
adjusted for subsequent changes in the price level, are translated at this
year’s closing rate).
(c) for an entity whose functional currency is the currency of a
hyperinflationary economy, and for which the comparative amounts are
translated into the currency of a non-hyperinflationary economy, all
amounts are those presented in the prior year financial statements (ie not
adjusted for subsequent changes in the price level or subsequent changes in
exchange rates).
This translation method, like that described in paragraph IN13, applies when
translating the financial statements of a foreign operation for inclusion in the
financial statements of the reporting entity, and when translating the financial
statements of an entity into a different presentation currency.
Use of a presentation currency other than the functional
currency—translation of a foreign operation
IN15 The Standard requires goodwill and fair value adjustments to assets and liabilities
that arise on the acquisition of a foreign entity to be treated as part of the assets
and liabilities of the acquired entity and translated at the closing rate.
Disclosure
IN16 The Standard includes most of the disclosure requirements of SIC-30. These apply
when a translation method different from that described in paragraphs IN13 and
IN14 is used or other supplementary information (such as an extract from the full
financial statements) is displayed in a currency other than the functional
currency or the presentation currency.
IN17 In addition, entities must disclose when there has been a change in functional
currency, and the reasons for the change.
IAS 21
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International Accounting Standard 21
The Effects of Changes in Foreign Exchange Rates
Objective
1 An entity may carry on foreign activities in two ways. It may have transactions in
foreign currencies or it may have foreign operations. In addition, an entity may
present its financial statements in a foreign currency. The objective of this
Standard is to prescribe how to include foreign currency transactions and foreign
operations in the financial statements of an entity and how to translate financial
statements into a presentation currency.
2 The principal issues are which exchange rate(s) to use and how to report the
effects of changes in exchange rates in the financial statements.
Scope
3 This Standard shall be applied:**
(a) in accounting for transactions and balances in foreign currencies, except for
those derivative transactions and balances that are within the scope of
IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement;
(b) in translating the results and financial position of foreign operations that
are included in the financial statements of the entity by consolidation,
proportionate consolidation or the equity method; and
(c) in translating an entity’s results and financial position into a presentation
currency.
4 IAS 39 applies to many foreign currency derivatives and, accordingly, these are
excluded from the scope of this Standard. However, those foreign currency
derivatives that are not within the scope of IAS 39 (eg some foreign currency
derivatives that are embedded in other contracts) are within the scope of this
Standard. In addition, this Standard applies when an entity translates amounts
relating to derivatives from its functional currency to its presentation currency.
5 This Standard does not apply to hedge accounting for foreign currency items,
including the hedging of a net investment in a foreign operation. IAS 39 applies
to hedge accounting.
6 This Standard applies to the presentation of an entity’s financial statements in a
foreign currency and sets out requirements for the resulting financial statements
to be described as complying with International Financial Reporting Standards
(IFRSs). For translations of financial information into a foreign currency that do
not meet these requirements, this Standard specifies information to be disclosed.
7 This Standard does not apply to the presentation in a statement of cash flows of
the cash flows arising from transactions in a foreign currency, or to the
translation of cash flows of a foreign operation (see IAS 7 Statement of Cash Flows).
* See also SIC-7 Introduction of the Euro.
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Definitions
8 The following terms are used in this Standard with the meanings specified:
Closing rate is the spot exchange rate at the end of the reporting period.
Exchange difference is the difference resulting from translating a given number of
units of one currency into another currency at different exchange rates.
Exchange rate is the ratio of exchange for two currencies.
Fair value is the amount for which an asset could be exchanged, or a liability
settled, between knowledgeable, willing parties in an arm’s length transaction.
Foreign currency is a currency other than the functional currency of the entity.
Foreign operation is an entity that is a subsidiary, associate, joint venture or branch
of a reporting entity, the activities of which are based or conducted in a country
or currency other than those of the reporting entity.
Functional currency is the currency of the primary economic environment in which
the entity operates.
A group is a parent and all its subsidiaries.
Monetary items are units of currency held and assets and liabilities to be received
or paid in a fixed or determinable number of units of currency.
Net investment in a foreign operation is the amount of the reporting entity’s interest
in the net assets of that operation.
Presentation currency is the currency in which the financial statements are
presented.
Spot exchange rate is the exchange rate for immediate delivery.
Elaboration on the definitions
Functional currency
9 The primary economic environment in which an entity operates is normally the
one in which it primarily generates and expends cash. An entity considers the
following factors in determining its functional currency:
(a) the currency:
(i) that mainly influences sales prices for goods and services (this will
often be the currency in which sales prices for its goods and services
are denominated and settled); and
(ii) of the country whose competitive forces and regulations mainly
determine the sales prices of its goods and services.
(b) the currency that mainly influences labour, material and other costs of
providing goods or services (this will often be the currency in which such
costs are denominated and settled).
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10 The following factors may also provide evidence of an entity’s functional
currency:
(a) the currency in which funds from financing activities (ie issuing debt and
equity instruments) are generated.
(b) the currency in which receipts from operating activities are usually
retained.
11 The following additional factors are considered in determining the functional
currency of a foreign operation, and whether its functional currency is the same
as that of the reporting entity (the reporting entity, in this context, being the
entity that has the foreign operation as its subsidiary, branch, associate or joint
venture):
(a) whether the activities of the foreign operation are carried out as an
extension of the reporting entity, rather than being carried out with a
significant degree of autonomy. An example of the former is when the
foreign operation only sells goods imported from the reporting entity and
remits the proceeds to it. An example of the latter is when the operation
accumulates cash and other monetary items, incurs expenses, generates
income and arranges borrowings, all substantially in its local currency.
(b) whether transactions with the reporting entity are a hi