# ASC 350-20-15: Intangibles—Goodwill and Other — Goodwill — 15 Scope and Scope Exceptions Source: FASB Accounting Standards Codification, Basic View [Read online](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/350/20/#15-scope-and-scope-exceptions) Study and research edition. Verify current requirements with the official source. Summaries, enrichment, and tags are machine-generated study aids. Paragraph html preserves source markup; snippet is abbreviated. Pending content is not necessarily effective. Tables and mathematical or amendment markup are retained as HTML where Markdown would lose structure. Source downloaded (UTC): 2026-09-10T00:00:46.644Z to 2026-09-10T00:00:46.644Z Record version: sha256:9bc961ffae82944a6f0daca96779811fb6af45ced9c609c4ede48eca9b2b7e62 Snapshot version: sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f Effective as of: not established by retrieval timestamps. ## ASC 350-20-15: 15 Scope and Scope Exceptions [Read section](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/350/20/#15-scope-and-scope-exceptions) SEC content: no #### Overall Guidance ##### [350-20-15-1](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/350/20/#350-20-15-1) Pending content: no Source downloaded (UTC): 2026-09-10T00:00:46.644Z to 2026-09-10T00:00:46.644Z Record version: sha256:1a06a15d2d7cec8d6c87dc7301b8266ae33e2e5aec6e1268cd33a5577ecbd18f Snapshot version: sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f Effective as of: not established by retrieval timestamps. This Subtopic follows the same Scope and Scope Exceptions as outlined in the Overall Subtopic, see Section 350-10-15, with specific transaction qualifications noted below. #### Transactions ##### [350-20-15-2](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/350/20/#350-20-15-2) Pending content: no Source downloaded (UTC): 2026-09-10T00:00:46.644Z to 2026-09-10T00:00:46.644Z Record version: sha256:1afd9b109a7e4b8a2503c81f1c1da93a07e88c0854b2536503a3f2bc3801b6bc Snapshot version: sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f Effective as of: not established by retrieval timestamps. The guidance in this Subtopic applies to the following transactions and activities: 1. a [Goodwill](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/glossary/g/#goodwill "An asset representing the future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination, acquired in an acquisition by a not-for-profit entity, or recognized by a joint venture upon formation that are not individually identified and separately recognized. For ease of reference, this term also includes the immediate charge recognized by not-for-profit entities in accordance with paragraph 958-805-25-29.") that an entity recognizes in accordance with Subtopic 805-30, Subtopic 805-60, or Subtopic 958-805 after it has been initially recognized and measured 2. b The costs of internally developing goodwill and other unidentifiable intangible assets with indeterminate lives 3. c [Subparagraph not used](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/updates/page-1833002/). 4. d Amounts recognized as goodwill in applying the equity method of accounting and to the excess reorganization value recognized by entities that adopt fresh-start reporting in accordance with Topic 852. 5. e [Subparagraph not used](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/updates/page-1833002/). ##### [350-20-15-2A](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/350/20/#350-20-15-2A) Pending content: no Source downloaded (UTC): 2026-09-10T00:00:46.644Z to 2026-09-10T00:00:46.644Z Record version: sha256:64cd6ef2a58b73f5f2ef949ebaf850e382fb31383d4874c8d96d2604c8c14603 Snapshot version: sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f Effective as of: not established by retrieval timestamps. [Paragraph superseded by Accounting Standards Update No. 2010-07](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/updates/asu-2010-07/). ##### [350-20-15-3](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/350/20/#350-20-15-3) Pending content: no Source downloaded (UTC): 2026-09-10T00:00:46.644Z to 2026-09-10T00:00:46.644Z Record version: sha256:9ca44b264190ee6592f7cb5817eb25ca5b6736b4e63915ddff86a99354f016a5 Snapshot version: sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f Effective as of: not established by retrieval timestamps. Although goodwill is an intangible asset, the term _intangible asset_ is used in this Subtopic to refer to an intangible asset other than goodwill. ##### [350-20-15-3A](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/350/20/#350-20-15-3A) Pending content: no Source downloaded (UTC): 2026-09-10T00:00:46.644Z to 2026-09-10T00:00:46.644Z Record version: sha256:6ff16504c0d91f06a7fc3f4854c5f9d5c1de33f17a43f0039d056195252006da Snapshot version: sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f Effective as of: not established by retrieval timestamps. Paragraphs [350-20-15-4 through 15-6](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/350/20/#350-20-15-4) , [350-20-35-62 through 35-86](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/350/20/#350-20-35-62) , [350-20-40-8 through 40-9](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/350/20/#350-20-40-8) , [350-20-45-4 through 45-7](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/350/20/#350-20-45-4) ,[350-20-50-3A through 50-7](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/350/20/#350-20-50-3A) , [350-20-55-26 through 55-29](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/350/20/#350-20-55-26) , and [323-10-35-13](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/323/10/#323-10-35-13) provide guidance for an entity electing the accounting alternatives in this Subtopic. See paragraphs [350-20-65-2](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/350/20/#350-20-65-2) and [350-20-65-4](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/350/20/#350-20-65-4)for transition guidance for private companies and not-for-profit entities on applying the accounting alternatives in Subtopic 350-20. ### Accounting Alternatives ##### [350-20-15-4](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/350/20/#350-20-15-4) Pending content: no Source downloaded (UTC): 2026-09-10T00:00:46.644Z to 2026-09-10T00:00:46.644Z Record version: sha256:0a5953103bcd4cb4e59c89fe6cbe9a99e99e8d0df8f72fc0eeca78b148a8001e Snapshot version: sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f Effective as of: not established by retrieval timestamps. A [private company](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/glossary/p/#private-company "An entity other than a public business entity, a not-for-profit entity, or an employee benefit plan within the scope of Topics 960 through 965 on plan accounting.")or [not-for-profit entity](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/glossary/n/#not-for-profit-entity "An entity that possesses the following characteristics, in varying degrees, that distinguish it from a business entity: Contributions of significant amounts of resources from resource providers who do not expect commensurate or proportionate pecuniary return Operating purposes other than to provide goods or services at a profit Absence of ownership interests like those of business entities. Entities that clearly fall outside this definition include the following: All investor-owned entities Entities that provide dividends, lower costs, or other economic benefits directly and proportionately to their owners, members, or participants, such as mutual insurance entities, credit unions, farm and rural electric cooperatives, and employee benefit plans.")may make an accounting policy election to apply the accounting alternative for amortizing goodwill in this Subtopic. The guidance in the Accounting Alternatives Subsections of this Subtopic applies to the following transactions or activities: 1. a [Goodwill](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/glossary/g/#goodwill "An asset representing the future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination, acquired in an acquisition by a not-for-profit entity, or recognized by a joint venture upon formation that are not individually identified and separately recognized. For ease of reference, this term also includes the immediate charge recognized by not-for-profit entities in accordance with paragraph 958-805-25-29.") that an entity recognizes in a business combination in accordance with Subtopic 805-30, in an [acquisition by a not-for-profit entity](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/glossary/a/#acquisition-by-a-not-for-profit-entity "A transaction or other event in which a not-for-profit acquirer obtains control of one or more nonprofit activities or businesses and initially recognizes their assets and liabilities in the acquirer's financial statements. When applicable guidance in Topic 805 is applied by a not-for-profit entity, the term business combination has the same meaning as this term has for a for-profit entity. Likewise, a reference to business combinations in guidance that links to Topic 805 has the same meaning as a reference to acquisitions by not-for-profit entities.") in accordance with Subtopic 958-805, or in a [joint venture](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/glossary/j/#joint-venture "An entity owned and operated by a small group of businesses (the joint venturers) as a separate and specific business or project for the mutual benefit of the members of the group. A government may also be a member of the group. The purpose of a joint venture frequently is to share risks and rewards in developing a new market, product, or technology; to combine complementary technological knowledge; or to pool resources in developing production or other facilities. A joint venture also usually provides an arrangement under which each joint venturer may participate, directly or indirectly, in the overall management of the joint venture. Joint venturers thus have an interest or relationship other than as passive investors. An entity that is a subsidiary of one of the joint venturers is not a joint venture. The ownership of a joint venture seldom changes, and its equity interests usually are not traded publicly. A minority public ownership, however, does not preclude an entity from being a joint venture. As distinguished from a corporate joint venture, a joint venture is not limited to corporate entities.") formation in accordance with Subtopic 805-60after it has been initially recognized and measured 2. b Amounts recognized as goodwill in applying the equity method of accounting in accordance with Topic 323 on investments—equity method and joint ventures, and to the excess reorganization value recognized by entities that adopt fresh-start reporting in accordance with Topic 852 on reorganizations. ##### [350-20-15-4A](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/350/20/#350-20-15-4A) Pending content: no Source downloaded (UTC): 2026-09-10T00:00:46.644Z to 2026-09-10T00:00:46.644Z Record version: sha256:6caabcdb7f10c4085a544dfbd91b76b14931db53e877cbed8eca3dd196cd7c3d Snapshot version: sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f Effective as of: not established by retrieval timestamps. A private company or not-for-profit entity may make an accounting policy election to apply the accounting alternative for a goodwill impairment triggering event evaluation to goodwill subsequently accounted for in accordance with Subtopic 350-20. ##### [350-20-15-5](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/350/20/#350-20-15-5) Pending content: no Source downloaded (UTC): 2026-09-10T00:00:46.644Z to 2026-09-10T00:00:46.644Z Record version: sha256:06bd4def962253ef40e9861c5577d2fc9641b6844997c3491061ac59b3910620 Snapshot version: sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f Effective as of: not established by retrieval timestamps. An entity within the scope of paragraph [350-20-15-4](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/350/20/#350-20-15-4) or paragraph [350-20-15-4A](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/350/20/#350-20-15-4A) that elects the accounting alternative for amortizing goodwill or the accounting alternative for goodwill impairment triggering event evaluation shall apply all of the related subsequent measurement, derecognition, other presentation matters, and disclosure requirements upon election. An accounting alternative, once elected, shall be applied to existing goodwill and to all additions to goodwill recognized in future transactions within the scope of that accounting alternative. ##### [350-20-15-6](https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/350/20/#350-20-15-6) Pending content: no Source downloaded (UTC): 2026-09-10T00:00:46.644Z to 2026-09-10T00:00:46.644Z Record version: sha256:16f6bdcf65e58f085911bba1c4f5d2c6dc9004b2aaa9b9a83ee9305b10e4fbe3 Snapshot version: sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f Effective as of: not established by retrieval timestamps. An entity that elects either of the accounting alternatives in this Subtopic is not required to elect or precluded from electing the other alternative.