Liabilities and Their Classification [Notes with PDF]

In this article, we will learn in-depth about liabilities and their classification and much more.

What is the Liability?

The sacrifice against the acquisition of property and services is usually a liability.

The amount that has not yet been paid will have to be paid in the future against the acquisition of property and services from another person or institution is called a liability.

The amount payable will be the liability of the businessman or business entity.

Any legitimate claim against a business’s property is called a liability. Liability generally refers to the outside.

Examples of Liabilities are Capital, Provident fund, Accounts payable, Notes Payable, Bank overdraft, Bank Loan, Expenses Payable, etc.

Classification of Liabilities

The different types of liabilities are as follows

1. Internal Liabilities

The liability of the owner or owner of the organization or the liability of the company to the shareholders is referred to as internal liability.

Internal liability is the sum of the debts of the owner of the business. Accepted by the owners or shareholders, on payment or refund.

This type of liability is usually the result of the concept of a business entity.

Examples of Internal Liabilities:

Capital
Share Capital
Reserve Fund

Share Premium
Pension Fund
Bonus Fund

Welfare fund
Retained Earnings

2. External Liabilities

The aggregate of the debts owed by the organization to any party other than the owner of the business is referred to as external liability.

The sum of current liabilities and long-term liabilities is referred to as external liabilities.

Examples of External liabilities:

Accounts Payable

Bank Loan
Bank Overdraft
Liability for Guarantee

2.1. Current Liability

A liability that is limited to a short term, two or three months, a maximum of one year and a fixed period is referred to as the current liability.

Current liabilities or short-term liabilities are all liabilities that need to be repaid in an account or in a short period of time.

Examples of Current Liabilities:

Accounts Payable
Notes Payable
Unearned Revenue

Bank Overdraft
Expenses Payable
Short Term Loan

2.2. Long-term Liability

Long-term liabilities are generally referred to as long-term liabilities created for two or three years or more.

Liabilities that generally do not require payment within one year or are accepted for multiple accounting periods are defined as permanent or long-term liabilities.

These liabilities are commonly used for capital expenditure.

Examples of Long Term Liabilities

Bank Loan
Mortgage Loan

Debenture
Other Long-term Liabilities

2.3. Contingent Liability

A contingent or uncertain liability is one that is subject to an event, that is, an event that may or may not be regarded as a liability to a business.

Contingent liabilities are claims that may be considered future business liabilities.

According to the principle of conservatism, a contingent liability is considered a liability.

According to the principles of full disclosure, a contingent liability is to be shown as a footnote in the Balance sheet.

Examples of Contingent Liabilities: