Use of first-in first-out method for fungible assets, rights and obligations (2024)

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Monetary assets, rights and obligations can be described as 'fungible' because one unit of currency is identical to and interchangeable with any other unit. NAT 13593

Last updated 29 February 2016

What is meant by 'fungible assets, rights and obligations'?

Monetary assets, rights and obligations can be described as 'fungible' because one unit of currency is identical to and interchangeable with any other unit.

As one unit of foreign currency is functionally identical to every other unit of the same currency in a bank account, it is difficult to identify which particular units of foreign currency are withdrawn from a bank account when a withdrawal is made from an account that is in credit.

A similar problem arises in identifying the particular units of foreign currency that are repaid when a deposit is made into an account that is in debit.

Identifying units of foreign currency

The particular unit of currency that is withdrawn or repaid needs to be identified for the purposes of the forex measures.

A withdrawal from a foreign currency denominated bank account that has a credit balance will result in the occurrence of forex realisation event2 (FRE2) in relation to the amount of the foreign currency withdrawn. In this event there will be a cessation of the right to receive the foreign currency that has been withdrawn from the bank with which the account is held.

A repayment of an amount into an account which is in debit will result in forex realisation event4 (FRE4). In this event there will be a cessation of an obligation to pay foreign currency.

Applying the first-in first-out (FIFO) method

In order to allocate a cost base or value to a particular unit of foreign currency, or a fungible right or part of a right to receive or pay foreign currency, a first-in first-out ('FIFO') ordering rule is normally applied to the units of foreign currency in the account (subsection 775-145(1) of the ITAA1997)). Any forex realisation event will apply firstly to the first units of fungible currency deposited or borrowed.

As an alternative to the FIFO method, a taxpayer may be able to make an election to use a weighted average basis providing a retranslation election is not current. Please refer to Foreign exchange (forex): use of weighted average method for fungible rights and obligations for more information.

Start of example

Example – Using the FIFO method

A foreign currency bank account opened on 1 September 2004 had the following transactions:

Date

Deposit
($US)

Withdrawal
($US)

Account balance
($US)

Exchange rate
1$A = $US

1 September 2004

$1,000

$1,000

$0.7200

15 September 2004

$2,500

$3,500

$0.7000

30 October 2004

$1,000

$2,500

$0.7300

31 December 2004

$3,000

($,500)

$0.7500

15 March 2005

$1,600

($2,100)

$0.7800

30 May 2005

$1,200

($900)

$0.7600

Total

$4,700

$5,600

Under this method the cost of each withdrawal or deposit is determined on the assumption that the outstanding balance represents the most recent transaction in the account.

The Australian dollar equivalent (ADE) of the amount deposited and withdrawn from the account is:

Date

Conversion

Deposit
($A)

Withdrawal
($A)

1 September 2004

1,000 0.7200

$1,388.89

15 September 2004

2,500 0.7000

$3,571.43

30 October 2004

1,000 0.7300

$1,369.86

31 December 2004

3,000 0.7500

$4,000,00

15 March 2005

1,600 0.7800

$2,051.28

30 May 2005

1,200 0.7600

$1,578.95

Total

$6,539.27

$7,421.14

End of example

Calculation 1 – FRE 2 arising from withdrawal of US$1,000 on 30 October 2004

Under the FIFO principle, the withdrawal of the US$1,000 is treated as a withdrawal of the deposits on a first-in-first-out basis, such that the amounts deposited at the earlier time are taken to have been withdrawn first. The Australian dollar equivalent (ADE) for this withdrawal is represented by the amount deposited on 1September 2004 - $1,388.89.

The amount received in respect of the event happening is $A1,369.86.

The forex realisation loss brought to account under FRE 2 is

ADE of withdrawal of $US1,000

$A1,369.86

Less: FIFO ADE cost of $US1,000

$A1,388.89

Forex loss

$A 19.03

Calculation 2 – FRE 2 arising from withdrawal of US$3,000 on 31 December 2004

A right to receive foreign currency existed to the extent of US$2,500 only. In calculating the forex gain or loss, a comparison is made between the ADE of the amount received and the ADE of the forex cost base of its right to receive US$2,500. The additional amount of US$500 withdrawn (US$3,000-US$2,500), represents an obligation incurred on 31December 2004 to repay the bank.

The ADE of the withdrawal is $3,571.43. The amount received is $A3,333.33 (US$2,500 0.7500).

The forex realisation loss brought to account under FRE 2 is:

ADE of withdrawal of $US2,500

$A3,571.43

Less: FIFO ADE cost of $US2,500

$A3,333.33

Forex loss

$A 238.10

The ADE cost of the outstanding debit balance in the account is $666.67 (US$500 0.7500)

Calculation 3 – FRE 4 arising from deposit of US$1,200 on 30 May 2005

Under the FIFO principle, the deposit of the US$1,200 is treated as a cessation of the obligations incurred each time a withdrawal was made where there was no credit balance. On a first-in first-out basis, the amounts withdrawn at the earlier time are taken to have been repaid first.

When US$1,200 is repaid, it initially reduces the obligation to pay US$500 incurred on 31December 2004 and then partly (to the extent of $700) reduces the obligation to repay the withdrawal made on 15March 2005.

The ADE of the proceeds of assuming the obligation is:

Date

Withdrawal
($US)

Rate

Withdrawal
($A)

31 December 2004

$500

500 0.7500

$ 666.67

15 March 2005

$700

700 0.7800

$ 897.44

Total

$1,564.11

The amount paid is $A1,578.95.

The forex realisation loss brought to account under FRE4 is:

ADE of deposit of $US1,200

$A1,578.95

Less: FIFO ADE proceeds of assuming the obligation of $US1,200

$A1,564.11

Forex loss

$A 14.84

Monetary assets, rights and obligations can be described as 'fungible' because one unit of currency is identical to and interchangeable with any other unit. NAT 13593

QC18069

Use of first-in first-out method for fungible assets, rights and obligations (2024)

FAQs

What is the FIFO method of taxation? ›

FIFO is an accounting method in which assets purchased or acquired first are disposed of first. First In, First Out assumes that the remaining inventory consists of items purchased last. LIFO is an accounting method in which assets purchased or acquired last are disposed of first.

What is the FIFO method of foreign exchange? ›

Applying the first-in first-out (FIFO) method

Any forex realisation event will apply firstly to the first units of fungible currency deposited or borrowed.

What is first in first out shares? ›

With the first-in, first-out method, the shares you sell are the first ones you bought. Since the market usually goes up over time, you'll get a bigger gain by selling shares you bought using the first-in, first-out method. You might have held the shares for various lengths of time.

What is the weighted average in forex? ›

The weighted average exchange rate, for an accumulated FX exposure is an average of the exchange rates used in the valuation of each portion of the exposure, weighted by its size.

What is an example of first in, first out? ›

For example, a company purchases 100 items at $15 each and later purchases 100 items at $20 each. It sells 75 items. FIFO assumes that those 75 items sold cost the company $15, so the cost of goods sold for that period would be $1,125.

When using the FIFO method correctly? ›

Food in storage should be arranged oldest to newest according to use-by dates. Newer foods should be put at the back of the shelf behind older foods, leaving the oldest food in the most accessible place near the front of the shelf.

How do you solve using FIFO? ›

Examples of calculating inventory using FIFO
  1. Ending Inventory Value = Remaining Units x Their Value. Ending Inventory Value = 130 x $4 = $520.
  2. COGS = (The Number of Original Units x Their Value) + (Remaining Units From the Second Purchase x Their Value) ...
  3. Ending Inventory Value = Remaining Units x Their Value.
Jan 4, 2024

What is the FIFO rule trading? ›

Traders refer to 2-43b as the FIFO rule. This first-in, first-out policy means that traders must close the earliest trades first in situations where several open trades-in-play involve the same currency pairs and are of the same position size.

How does first in first out work? ›

The first in, first out, aka FIFO (pronounced FIE-foe), accounting method assumes that sellable assets, such as inventory, raw materials, or components acquired first were sold first. That is, the oldest merchandise is sold first, with its associated costs being used to determine profitability.

What is first in first out FIFO principles? ›

First in, first out (FIFO) is an inventory method that assumes the first goods purchased are the first goods sold. This means that older inventory will get shipped out before newer inventory and the prices or values of each piece of inventory represents the most accurate estimation.

What is the first in first out rule equity? ›

The rule is that where a number of payments are made into and out of a current bank account the first payment in is deemed to be paid out first.

What is 50 ma in Forex? ›

The 50-day moving average is the leading average of the three most commonly used averages. Because it's shorter than the 100- and 200-day averages, it's the first line of major moving average support in an uptrend and the first line of major moving average resistance in a downtrend.

What is the meaning of 50 EMA in Forex? ›

The 50 EMA in Forex refers to a 50-period Exponential Moving Average applied to a price chart. This means that the EMA calculates the average price of the most recent 50 periods, whether those periods are days, hours, minutes, or any other chosen time frame.

What are the best moving averages for forex trading? ›

But which are the best moving averages to use in forex trading? That depends on whether you have a short-term horizon or a long-term horizon. For short-term trades the 5, 10, and 20 period moving averages are best, while longer-term trading makes best use of the 50, 100, and 200 period moving averages.

What is the FIFO method under income tax? ›

First In, First Out, also known as FIFO, is a method for valuation of assets or inventories. Under the method, the goods that are produced first are disposed of first. The method also finds a place in the Indian accounting standards for inventory valuation.

What is the FIFO method of IRS? ›

FIFO rule means: You use the basis of the shares you acquired first as the basis of the shares sold. In other words, you sold the oldest shares you owned first.

What is the FIFO method? ›

The First-in First-out (FIFO) method of inventory valuation is based on the assumption that the sale or usage of goods follows the same order in which they are bought. In other words, under the first-in, first-out method, the earliest purchased or produced goods are sold/removed and expensed first.

Is FIFO better for taxes? ›

First-in, first-out method (FIFO)

This means FIFO will generally result in higher capital gains being realized and potentially a larger tax liability. Also, FIFO doesn't specifically avoid short-term capital gains sales, which could result in a higher tax rate if a gain is realized.

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