Notes Receivable

See Also:
Notes Payable
Treasury Notes (t notes)
Accounts Receivable
How to collect accounts receivable
Balance Sheet

Notes Receivable Definition

The notes receivable is an account on the balance sheet usually under the current assets section if its life is less than a year. Specifically, a note receivable is a written promise to receive money at a future date. The money is usually made up of interest and principal.

Notes Receivable Explained

A note receivable is often formed when a business, usually a bank, makes a loan to another business. A note will often be for less than a year, but some can be well in excess of this time frame. Recognize notes receivable income as interest income on the income statement. Thus, when payment is made the amounts effect the balance sheet as well as the income statement.

Notes Receivable Example

Money Bank is extending a $100,000 90 day note to Toys Inc. so that they can fund some of its short term needs for financing during the year. The note has an interest rate of 5% and is recorded by the bank as a note receivable on Money’s balance sheet under the current assets section. At the end of the term, Toys inc. will pay the $100,000 in principal back to Money Bank, and approximately $1,233 (100,000 * 90/365 * .05) worth of interest. Record the amount as interest income on the incomes statement at the end of the year.
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