Appendix E -- Short-term exemptions for entities applying Tier 2 – Simplified Disclosures for periods beginning before 1 July 2022

Short-term exemptions for for-profit private sector entities | Relief from distinguishing the correction of errors and changes in accounting policy | Relief from presenting comparative information not previously disclosed in the notes | Relief from restating comparative information for certain for-profit private sector entities

This appendix is an integral part of AASB 1053

Short-term exemptions for for-profit private sector entities

E1

This appendix sets out optional short-term exemptions for for-profit private sector entities applying AASB 1060 General Purpose Financial Statements – Simplified Disclosures for For-Profit and Not-for-Profit Tier 2 Entities to periods beginning before 1 July 2022, as follows:

(a) relief from distinguishing the correction of errors and changes in accounting policy, for periods beginning before 1 July 2022 (see paragraph E3);

(b) relief from providing comparative information not previously disclosed in the notes, for periods beginning before 1 July 2021 (see paragraph E4); and

(c) relief from restating comparative information, for periods beginning before 1 July 2021 (see paragraphs E5–E7).

E2

If an entity applies one or more of the exemptions set out in this appendix, it shall disclose that fact.

Relief from distinguishing the correction of errors and changes in accounting policy

E3

For periods beginning before 1 July 2022, notwithstanding AASB 1060 paragraph 211 (for entities applying AASB 1 First-time Adoption of Australian Accounting Standards to the period) and AASB 1060 paragraph 110 (for entities applying AASB 108 Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors instead of AASB 1), an entity applying paragraph 18A(a) or (b) need not distinguish the correction of errors and changes in accounting policies if the entity becomes aware of errors made in its most recent previous special purpose financial statements.

Relief from presenting comparative information not previously disclosed in the notes

E4

Notwithstanding AASB 1060 paragraph 20, entities that elect to apply AASB 1060 to periods beginning before 1 July 2021 (ie early application) need not present comparative information in the notes if the entity did not disclose the comparable information in its most recent previous financial statements.

Relief from restating comparative information for certain for-profit private sector entities

E5

Paragraphs E6–E7 apply to a for-profit private sector entity that elects to apply AASB 1060 to periods beginning before 1 July 2021 (ie early application) and also applies AASB 1 in preparing its first Australian-Accounting-Standards financial statements (Tier 2) for the period.

E6

Notwithstanding AASB 1 paragraph 7, comparative information need not be restated in the entity’s first Australian-Accounting-Standards financial statements (Tier 2). Under this approach, references to the ‘date of transition to Australian Accounting Standards’ in AASB 1 shall mean the beginning of the first Australian-Accounting-Standards reporting period. Consequently, consistent with AASB 1 paragraph 11, the entity shall recognise adjustments arising from any differences between the carrying amounts in its previous special purpose financial statements and its opening carrying amounts based on the retrospective application of Australian Accounting Standards directly in retained earnings (or, if appropriate, another category of equity) at the beginning of the first Australian-Accounting-Standards reporting period.

E7

An entity that elects to not restate comparative information in its first Australian-Accounting-Standards financial statements (Tier 2) in accordance with paragraph E6 need not provide the reconciliations required by AASB 1060 paragraphs 210(b) and (c). The entity shall:

(a) present two statements of financial position, two statements of profit or loss and other comprehensive income, two separate statements of profit or loss (if presented), two statements of cash flows and two statements of changes in equity and related notes, as follows:

(i) the statements and related notes as at the end of the first Australian-Accounting-Standards reporting period, compliant with Australian Accounting Standards; and

(ii) the statements and related notes presented in its most recent previous special purpose financial statements (not necessarily compliant with Australian Accounting Standards);

(b) disclose a reconciliation of its equity presented in its most recent previous special purpose financial statements to its equity determined in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards – Simplified Disclosures at the date of transition to Australian Accounting Standards – Simplified Disclosures;

(c) disclose a description of the main adjustments that would have been required to make the comparative statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income and separate statement of profit or loss (if presented) compliant with Australian Accounting Standards. The entity need not quantify those adjustments; and

(d) prominently label the comparative information that is not compliant with Australian Accounting Standards as such.