Bond Premium on Issuance

Definition: Issue price above face value

Scope:NarrowDifficulty:Difficult

Issue price above face value

Common Journal Entries
AccountDebitCredit
1. Issue at premium
Issue $500,000 bonds for $515,000.
CashAsset+$515,000
Bonds PayableLiability+$500,000
Premium on Bonds PayableLiability+$15,000
Market rate < coupon rate; investors pay more.
2. Amortize premium (straight-line)
10 semi-annual periods: $15,000 / 10 = $1,500.
Premium on Bonds PayableLiability$1,500
Interest ExpenseExpense+$13,500
CashAsset$15,000
Premium reduces interest expense below coupon.

T-AccountsA visual representation of a ledger account shaped like the letter T. Left side shows debits, right side shows credits.

CashAsset account. Debits increase the balance. Credits decrease the balance.AssetA resource owned by the business. Normal balance: debit. Debits increase, credits decrease.
DebitLeft side of a journal entry. Increases assets and expenses. Decreases liabilities, equity, and revenue.
$515,000.00
Normal bal.
CreditRight side of a journal entry. Increases liabilities, equity, and revenue. Decreases assets and expenses.
$15,000.00
$500,000.00
Bonds PayableBonds PayableLiabilityAn obligation the business owes to others. Normal balance: credit. Credits increase, debits decrease.
DebitLeft side of a journal entry. Increases assets and expenses. Decreases liabilities, equity, and revenue.
CreditRight side of a journal entry. Increases liabilities, equity, and revenue. Decreases assets and expenses.
$500,000.00
Normal bal.
$500,000.00
Premium on Bonds PayablePremium on Bonds PayableLiabilityAn obligation the business owes to others. Normal balance: credit. Credits increase, debits decrease.
DebitLeft side of a journal entry. Increases assets and expenses. Decreases liabilities, equity, and revenue.
$1,500.00
CreditRight side of a journal entry. Increases liabilities, equity, and revenue. Decreases assets and expenses.
$15,000.00
Normal bal.
$13,500.00
Interest ExpenseExpense account — cost of borrowing money. Debits increase the balance. Credits decrease the balance.ExpenseA cost incurred in the process of earning revenue. Normal balance: debit. Debits increase, credits decrease.
DebitLeft side of a journal entry. Increases assets and expenses. Decreases liabilities, equity, and revenue.
$13,500.00
Normal bal.
CreditRight side of a journal entry. Increases liabilities, equity, and revenue. Decreases assets and expenses.
$13,500.00
DurationLong-Term

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