Implicit interest rate definition
/What is the Implicit Interest Rate?
An implicit interest rate is an interest rate that is not specifically stated in a business transaction. Any accounting transaction that involves a stream of payments extending over multiple future periods must incorporate an interest rate, even if there is no rate stated in the related business contract. Otherwise, the contract does not reflect the expense associated with delaying payments over a period of time, which is known as interest expense.
When the financing component of a contract covers a period of less than one year, it may be acceptable, depending on the applicable accounting standard, for the seller to ignore the financing component and not record any interest. Instead, the full amount of the transaction proceeds is considered to be revenue unrelated to interest income.
How to Select an Implicit Interest Rate
If a transaction does include an interest rate, but that rate is substantially different from the current market interest rate (such as a stated rate of 1% versus a market rate of 8%), then the market rate should be considered the most appropriate interest rate to apply to the transaction. The decision concerning which interest rate to use is more subjective if the stated interest rate is very close to the market rate. If the difference between the two rates is not material, it may be acceptable to account for the transaction using the interest rate stated in the agreement.
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Factors that Affect Implicit Interest Rates
Implicit interest rates are influenced by several key factors, often embedded in financial agreements without being explicitly stated. One major factor is the time value of money—the longer the payment period, the higher the implicit rate tends to be, as lenders require compensation for deferring payment. Credit risk also plays a role; higher risk of default leads to a higher implied rate to offset potential losses. Market interest rates impact implicit rates as well—if prevailing rates rise, the implicit rate in new agreements will likely be higher. The structure of payment terms is another factor; discounts for early payment or extended terms without interest can reflect an implied rate. In addition, inflation expectations influence the rate, as lenders want to preserve purchasing power over time by charging higher rates.
How to Use an Implicit Interest Rate
Once you have settled upon an interest rate to use as the implicit interest rate for a transaction, calculate the present value of the stream of payments associated with the transaction, using the formula for either the present value of an annuity due (where payments are due at the beginning of each period) or the present value of an ordinary annuity (where payments are due at the end of each period - which is more common). The difference between the present value of these streams of cash flows and the total payment amount is recorded in the accounting records as the interest component of the transaction.
Example of the Implicit Interest Rate
Mr. Jones can either buy a refrigerator for $500 in cash or make 12 monthly payments of $130 per year at the end of each of the next five years. There is no stated interest rate in the second option. The market rate of interest for consumer loans for people having roughly the same credit rating as Mr. Jones is 8%. We will consider the 8% rate to be the implicit interest rate for this example, since it is the rate that he would be offered in a similar situation by a different third party.
If Mr. Jones wanted to determine the present value of the second option, he would go to a present value table for an ordinary annuity and extract from it a multiplier factor that relates to the stream of payments (five payments at the end of each year) and the interest rate of 8%.
Mr. Jones goes to the table and finds that the appropriate multiplier rate is 3.9927, which he multiplies by the $130 annual payment to arrive at a present value of $519.05. Thus, at the implicit rate of 8%, the present value of the multi-year payment option is $19.05 more expensive than if he were to pay $500 in cash right now.