Many online stores offer payment options other than credit cards. Some people are wary of giving their credit card numbers online. If that's the case, you may want to consider other options, like Paypal, cash on delivery, or transfer.
Deferred payment allows you to spread out the payment over time. Whether you're buying a gift for a loved one or a luxury car, deferred payment is an excellent alternative. In this article, we’ll be knowing what is deferred payment and how it can benefit you.
Did You Know?
The function of money is the standard measurement of deferred payment. Yes, in economics, the deferred payment standard is a money’s function. This function is a widely accepted path in order to value a debt. Also, it includes permitting goods or services to be accomplished now but paid money for in the future.
Payment Deferrals on Invoices
Deferred payment on invoices allows the seller to collect a partial payment from a customer before the total payment is due. However, deferred payment is not possible for all customers. Certain conditions must be met before a deferred payment can be allowed.
In some cases, a buyer can ask for a longer payment period, which may not always be possible. This situation can be avoided by creating an invoice with a payment schedule. Companies often offer a discount for early payment.
Suppose that the seller issues an invoice for ₹2,500, and the buyer must pay the remaining amount within 60 days. Instead of paying ₹2,375 right away, the buyer can accept a 5% discount on this invoice and pay the balance within 30 days.
This arrangement allows the seller to sell the remaining goods while waiting for payment. But, the seller needs to know the payment terms to avoid a creditor calling the buyer.
- It encourages customers to make big-ticket purchases sooner rather than later. In addition, it also provides a courtesy period for customers.
- Deferred payment on invoices helps the seller maintain control over the business's cash flow.
- Customers do not have to pay extra finance charges, and deferred payment on invoices is a great way to avoid these problems.
- Some businesses offer deferred payments to control cash flow and ensure that the customer has the best financial terms. If a customer cannot afford to pay the full amount upfront, he or she may not even consider buying the item.
- This means that the buyer is given a payment schedule in which they can take possession of goods now and pay for them later.
- Deferred payment on invoices should only be used when the buyer has enough money to meet the full payment.
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Deferred Payment Example
Now that you know what is the meaning of deferred payment let’s understand deferred payment with examples. The term "deferred payment" refers to a loan or credit account for which the consumer does not pay the full amount immediately. Many types of loans, such as credit cards and mortgages, allow customers to postpone payments for certain periods.
One such example is zero-interest credit cards. Under such an arrangement, the bank collects monthly payments without accruing interest. However, deferred payments should still be treated as accrued expenses, affecting accounting and payments for goods and services received.
For example, a seller may offer a buyer a ₹1,000 sofa on a deferred payment plan. During the first six months, the buyer would be able to take the sofa without paying anything.
After that, the buyer would be required to pay the full amount or pay in instalments. This type of arrangement is often used to attract new customers. This type of payment scheme is highly beneficial for both parties.
Negatives of Deferred Payments
- You can apply for a loan in advance, but it may be better to wait a few weeks or even days instead of paying immediately.
- To be eligible for a deferment, you must first improve your financial situation and fulfil certain requirements.
- If you have trouble making your monthly payments, deferred loans will accrue interest throughout deferment.
- While deferring loan payments will not affect your credit score, you should consider their impact on your finances.
- You may end up spending more money in the long run.
Here, the advantages of deferred payment outweigh the drawbacks. Ultimately, deferred loans are a better option than missing a payment, which will hurt your credit.
Loan Payment Deferrals
Many lenders offer deferred payments. Deferred payments are an agreement between you and your lender to make later payments. Even though the payments have been delayed, you are still obligated to make them.
In addition to the delay, interest may accumulate during the deferral period, increasing your original payment amount. If you face financial difficulties, deferring the payment will help you avoid falling behind.
The borrowers must be confident that they will be able to pay it later if their financial situation improves. However, it is crucial to reconsider the decision, as the extra cash may not be worth the impact on your financial future. In such cases, it is necessary to reassess your financial situation and decide whether the loan payment deferral is worth it.
If the borrower cannot pay back the loan in full, they should repay the accrued interest on the loan. This will increase the monthly payment for the borrower. This may conflict with the original intention of the deferred payment period.
Moreover, it can lead to a negative loan amortisation. Such a situation can have unfavourable accounting and regulatory treatment. Lenders should consider whether to apply the appropriate accounting treatment for such situations.
How to Account For Deferred Payments?
Let's understand the accounting process after you know deferred payment meaning. A deferred payment is an arrangement where the borrower doesn't pay the full amount immediately but agrees to make the balance later. This type of arrangement is commonly used in the retail industry.
- Lease agreements can also have deferred payments.
- A retailer purchases products with a promise to make the payments on a future date, such as 60 days after shipment.
- Tenants usually don't pay rent for the first three to four months and then begin making regular payments when the balance is due.
In general, the seller who has not been paid records accrued revenues. These are sometimes called unrealised revenues. They represent money earned for goods or services delivered but not yet received.
These accrued revenues are then posted in an asset account, where they remain until the customer pays. Once the customer makes a payment, the seller debits the Cash account. In contrast, buyers post accrued liabilities in their accounts, representing the debt incurred by buying the goods.
It depends on the specific circumstances of a business, how it accounts for deferred payments. For example, a construction company may receive a prepayment from a customer in exchange for a certain amount of building materials.
For this purpose, the construction company accounts for the entire amount of the materials, including the costs of labour and materials, as a deferred payment. The type of adjusting entries will vary when it comes to deferred payments, and the company must account for both types.
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Deferred Revenue vs Deferred Expenses
There are two types of deferred expenditures: deferred revenue and deferred expense. A business may have deferred revenue and expenses but not realise it until the customer makes the final payment.
The deferred revenue is expensed now, while the deferred expense is incurred later. There's a difference in the way they are reported. Deferred revenue is money received in advance but not yet provided or paid. This includes prepayments of monthly rent or insurance premiums.
On the other hand, deferred expenses are not recorded in the balance sheet until the service is rendered. When the fee is finally earned, it will be recorded in the income statement as revenue.
Conclusion
Deferred payments are increasingly popular among real estate investors, who are often wary of high-interest credit card payments. However, they offer some advantages, too.
In addition, deferred payments allow you to spread out the cost of purchases over longer periods of time, resulting in a reduced payment amount. Deferred payments can be helpful if you need time to figure out your finances.
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