Access free live classes and tests on the app
Download
+
Unacademy
  • Goals
    • AFCAT
    • AP EAMCET
    • Bank Exam
    • BPSC
    • CA Foundation
    • CAPF
    • CAT
    • CBSE Class 11
    • CBSE Class 12
    • CDS
    • CLAT
    • CSIR UGC
    • GATE
    • IIT JAM
    • JEE
    • Karnataka CET
    • Karnataka PSC
    • Kerala PSC
    • MHT CET
    • MPPSC
    • NDA
    • NEET PG
    • NEET UG
    • NTA UGC
    • Railway Exam
    • SSC
    • TS EAMCET
    • UPSC
    • WBPSC
    • CFA
Login Join for Free
avtar
  • ProfileProfile
  • Settings Settings
  • Refer your friendsRefer your friends
  • Sign outSign out
  • Terms & conditions
  • •
  • Privacy policy
  • About
  • •
  • Careers
  • •
  • Blog

© 2023 Sorting Hat Technologies Pvt Ltd

CBSE Class 11 » CBSE Class 11 Study Materials » Business Studies » Retained Earnings
CBSE

Retained Earnings

The business's aggregated net earnings, which is retained from the profits earned at some point in time, like at the end of the reporting period, is known as the retained earnings of the business.

Table of Content
  •  

The business’s total aggregated income retained by the business at some point in time from the profits earned, like at the end of the reporting period, is termed as the business’s retained earnings. Accumulated loss or retained loss is said when the balance of the retained earnings is negative. In the accounts of retained earnings, the net earnings or the net expense at some point in time is transferred to the (P&L)Profit & Loss Account. By the matter of bonus, share capitalisation is possible with the credit balance of the account, and when the balance amount is ready for distribution to shareholders in the form of dividends. In the following period, the balancing figure in the account is carried forward.  

Retained earnings explained

At the end of one accounting period, the retained earnings closing balance will become the opening balance of retained earnings for the following period. The net earnings or the net expense for that particular period is added or deducted to that extent with those expenses, the premium on shares issued and the dividend paid etc are deducted from the balance. In the business balance sheet, retained earnings are documented in the section of shareholder’s equity. Retained earnings do not represent additional cash accessible to a company because of the characteristic of double-entry accrual accounting, rather double-entry accrual accounting represents how the business has managed its profits.  

Formula and Calculation of Retained Earnings. 

Retained Earnings= Opening balance of retained earnings (+) Amount from net income or net loss being transferred  (– ) dividends (–) other payments.  

RE =  Op Bal of RE + T/r from net income or net loss – Div – Payments. 

A company can use the retained earnings in broad possible ways. 

What are retained earnings in stockholder’s equity?  

Stockholders have positive equity when the value of the total assets is more than the total liabilities. In contrast, the stockholders’ equity becomes negative when the total liabilities value is more than the total assets. Sometimes the negative equity of stockholders is also known as stockholders’ deficit, the stockholders’ deficit doesn’t mean that the stockholders owe some money to the business as they are not responsible for the liabilities, their liability is limited to the amount of share capital only. 

Retained earnings = Opening of retained earnings + Current year net profit from profit & loss account– dividends paid in the current year.  

What are retained earnings tax implications? 

A company or business tax on the total income in a financial year is subjected to the business. After the total taxable income, the amount is added to the retained earnings, but in maximum cases, the net tax is not due on the aggregate earnings retained by the company. The business or corporate tax is primarily lowered than the marginal amounts for some individual taxpayers, creating a tax avoidance situation for the business. The business’s retained earnings increase a shareholders’ equity, which increases the shareholders’ wealth.  

Decision Factors for retaining money

A few factors affect all the decision-making processes of the profit that a company needs to retain. These factors include the following: 

  1. Net profit Quantum, 

  2. Duration of the company or business enterprises,

  3. Corporation’s Dividend policy

  4. Plans regarding development and modernisation. 

Conclusion

In a retained earnings account, the net earnings or the net expense at some point in time is transferred to the (P&L)Profit & Loss Account. By the matter of bonus, share capitalisation etc is possible of any part of the account’s credit balance, and when the balance amount is ready for distribution to shareholders in the form of dividends. In the following duration, the residue balance is carried forward.  

In the business balance sheet, retained earnings are accounted for in the section of shareholder’s equity. Other comprehensive incomes and shares in the capital, which is given in the statement of changes equity, are presented along with a report of movement in retained earnings. Stockholders have positive equity when the value of the total assets is more than the total liabilities. In contrast, when the total liabilities value is more than the total assets, the stockholders’ equity becomes negative.

faq

Frequently asked questions

Get answers to the most common queries related to the CBSE 11th Examination Preparation.

What is the meaning of retained earnings?

Ans. The business’s total aggregated income retained by the business at some point in time, ...Read full

What factors affect the business’s decision to secure the amount for retaining? 

Ans. Several factors affect the decision-making process of the profit that a company needs to reta...Read full

What happens to stockholder’s equity after retained earnings? 

Ans. Stockholders have positive equity when total assets value is more than the total liabilities, ...Read full

What is the meaning of insolvency? 

Ans. Insolvency defines the company’s value that is above their liabilities before the share...Read full

Ans. The business’s total aggregated income retained by the business at some point in time, like at the limit of the reporting duration, is termed as the business’s retained earnings.

The formal for calculating the retained earnings: 

Retained Earnings= Opening balance of retained earnings (+) Amount from net income or net loss being transferred  (– ) dividends (–) other payments.

Ans. Several factors affect the decision-making process of the profit that a company needs to retain. These factors are net profit Quantum, age of the business enterprises, the Dividend policy of the corporation, plans regarding modernisation and expansion.

Ans. Stockholders have positive equity when total assets value is more than the total liabilities, whereas when the total liabilities value is more than the total assets, then the stockholders’ equity becomes negative. The business’s retained earnings increase a shareholders’ equity, which increases the shareholders’ shareholding’s value.

Ans. Insolvency defines the company’s value that is above their liabilities before the shareholders or stockholders have the positive equity value in the business or company.

Crack K-12 with Unacademy

Get subscription and access unlimited live and recorded courses from India’s best educators

  • Structured syllabus
  • Daily live classes
  • Ask doubts
  • Tests & practice
Learn more

Notifications

Get all the important information related to the CBSE Class 11 Exam including the process of application, important calendar dates, eligibility criteria, exam centers etc.

Data Correction
Exam Pattern for Class 11th
Registration Process
Syllabus
See all

Related articles

Learn more topics related to Business Studies
Wholesale Trade

The wholesale trade sector includes the selling of goods produced by manufacturing, agriculture, mining, publishing, and other information-related enterprises. Let’s dive in deeper to know about wholesale trade meaning in detail.

Ways to Fund a Startup

The ideas and plans involved in determining how to get funding for a startup are the solid base for building the new empire!

Understanding the Management Functions

This article provides study materials and notes on understanding the management functions, including planning and organising, staffing and directing.

Understanding on Financial Planning

The concept of financial planning involves steps by which an entity can fulfil one’s financial goals. It ensures control of investments, expenses, and income.

See all
Access more than

5,130+ courses for CBSE Class 11

Get subscription

Trending Topics

  • Withdrawal Slip
  • Wildlife Conservation
  • Moving Coil Galvanometer
  • Ogive Curves
  • PPT Full Form
  • Reordering Of Sentences
  • Central Problems Of An Economy
  • Transcription In Eukaryotes
combat_iitjee

Important Links

  • NCERT Solutions
  • NCERT Books
  • Physics Formulas
  • Maths Formulas
  • Chemistry Formulas
testseries_iitjee
Download NEET 2022 question paper
.
Company Logo

Unacademy is India’s largest online learning platform. Download our apps to start learning


Starting your preparation?

Call us and we will answer all your questions about learning on Unacademy

Call +91 8585858585

Company
About usShikshodayaCareers
we're hiring
BlogsPrivacy PolicyTerms and Conditions
Help & support
User GuidelinesSite MapRefund PolicyTakedown PolicyGrievance Redressal
Products
Learner appLearner appEducator appEducator appParent appParent app
Popular goals
IIT JEEUPSCSSCCSIR UGC NETNEET UG
Trending exams
GATECATCANTA UGC NETBank Exams
Study material
UPSC Study MaterialNEET UG Study MaterialCA Foundation Study MaterialJEE Study MaterialSSC Study Material

© 2025 Sorting Hat Technologies Pvt Ltd

Unacademy
  • Goals
    • AFCAT
    • AP EAMCET
    • Bank Exam
    • BPSC
    • CA Foundation
    • CAPF
    • CAT
    • CBSE Class 11
    • CBSE Class 12
    • CDS
    • CLAT
    • CSIR UGC
    • GATE
    • IIT JAM
    • JEE
    • Karnataka CET
    • Karnataka PSC
    • Kerala PSC
    • MHT CET
    • MPPSC
    • NDA
    • NEET PG
    • NEET UG
    • NTA UGC
    • Railway Exam
    • SSC
    • TS EAMCET
    • UPSC
    • WBPSC
    • CFA

Share via

COPY