{"schema_version":2,"canonical_url":"https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/720/946/","source":"FASB Accounting Standards Codification, Basic View","usage":"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.","number":"720-946","topic":"720","title":"Financial Services—Investment Companies","area":"Expenses","paragraphs":8,"summary":"This Subtopic tells investment advisers and mutual fund distributors how to account for costs incurred to distribute fund shares. The general rule: if the adviser does not receive both 12b-1 fees and contingent-deferred sales fees, the distribution/offering costs fail the definition of an asset and must be expensed as incurred (with initial offering costs treated as start-up costs under Subtopic 720-15). Distributors of no-front-end-load mutual funds instead defer and amortize incremental direct costs and expense indirect costs as incurred.","concepts":["12b-1 fees","contingent-deferred sales fees","offering costs","distribution costs","incremental direct costs","start-up costs","front-end load","definition of an asset"],"categories":["Recognition","Industry-specific","Subsequent measurement"],"level":"advanced","topic_title":"Other Expenses","sections":[{"number":"00","label":"00 Status","anchor":"00-status","is_sec":false,"groups":[{"block":null,"heading":null,"paragraphs":[{"citation":"720-946-00-1","para":"00-1","html":"<div class=\"asc-body\"><div class=\"norm-text\">The following table identifies the changes made to this Subtopic.</div> <div class=\"norm-text\"> <table class=\"asc-table\" id=\"SL51750144-203331\"> <tr> <td class=\"entry\"> <strong class=\"ph b\">Paragraph</strong> </td> <td class=\"entry\"> <strong class=\"ph b\">Action</strong> </td> <td class=\"entry\"> <strong class=\"ph b\">Accounting Standards Update</strong> </td> <td class=\"entry\"> <strong class=\"ph b\">Date</strong> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class=\"entry\"></td> <td class=\"entry\"></td> <td class=\"entry\"></td> <td class=\"entry\"></td> </tr> <tr> <td class=\"entry\"> <a href=\"/glossary/b/#12b-1\" class=\"term\" title=\"Rule 12b-1 in Chapter 17 of the Code of Federal Regulations is one of the regulations implementing the Investment Company Act of 1940.\"><span>12b-1</span></a> </td> <td class=\"entry\">Added</td> <td class=\"entry\"> <a href=\"/updates/asu-2014-09/\" class=\"xref\">Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09</a> </td> <td class=\"entry\">05/28/2014</td> </tr> <tr> <td class=\"entry\"> <a href=\"/glossary/c/#contingent-deferred-sales-load\" class=\"term\" title=\"A sales charge imposed directly on redeeming shareholders based on a percentage of the lesser of the redemption proceeds or original cost. The percentage may decrease or be eliminated based on the duration of share ownership (frequently decreases by 1 percent a year). Also referred to as back-end load.\"><span>Contingent-Deferred Sales Load</span></a> </td> <td class=\"entry\">Added</td> <td class=\"entry\"> <a href=\"/updates/asu-2014-09/\" class=\"xref\">Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09</a> </td> <td class=\"entry\">05/28/2014</td> </tr> <tr> <td class=\"entry\"> <a href=\"/glossary/f/#front-end-load\" class=\"term\" title=\"A sales commission or charge payable at the time of purchase of mutual fund shares.\"><span>Front-End Load</span></a> </td> <td class=\"entry\">Added</td> <td class=\"entry\"> <a href=\"/updates/asu-2014-09/\" class=\"xref\">Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09</a> </td> <td class=\"entry\">05/28/2014</td> </tr> <tr> <td class=\"entry\"> <a href=\"/glossary/o/#offering-costs\" class=\"term\" title=\"Offering costs include all of the following: Legal fees pertaining to the investment company's shares offered for sale Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)and state registration fees Underwriting and other similar costs Costs of printing prospectuses for sales purposes Initial fees paid to be listed on an exchange Tax opinion costs related to offering of shares Initial agency fees of securing the rating for bonds or preferred stock issued by closed-end funds.\"><span>Offering Costs</span></a> </td> <td class=\"entry\">Added</td> <td class=\"entry\"> <a href=\"/updates/asu-2014-09/\" class=\"xref\">Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09</a> </td> <td class=\"entry\">05/28/2014</td> </tr> <tr> <td class=\"entry\"></td> <td class=\"entry\"></td> <td class=\"entry\"></td> <td class=\"entry\"></td> </tr> <tr> <td class=\"entry\"> <a href=\"/asc/720/946/#720-946-05-1\" class=\"xref\">946-720-05-1</a> </td> <td class=\"entry\">Added</td> <td class=\"entry\"> <a href=\"/updates/asu-2014-09/\" class=\"xref\">Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09</a> </td> <td class=\"entry\">05/28/2014</td> </tr> <tr> <td class=\"entry\"> <a href=\"/asc/720/946/#720-946-15-1\" class=\"xref\">946-720-15-1</a> </td> <td class=\"entry\">Added</td> <td class=\"entry\"> <a href=\"/updates/asu-2014-09/\" class=\"xref\">Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09</a> </td> <td class=\"entry\">05/28/2014</td> </tr> <tr> <td class=\"entry\"> <a href=\"/asc/720/946/#720-946-15-2\" class=\"xref\">946-720-15-2</a> </td> <td class=\"entry\">Added</td> <td class=\"entry\"> <a href=\"/updates/asu-2014-09/\" class=\"xref\">Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09</a> </td> <td class=\"entry\">05/28/2014</td> </tr> <tr> <td class=\"entry\"> <div class=\"xref-range displayInline\"><a href=\"/asc/720/946/#720-946-25-1\" class=\"xref\">946-720-25-1 through 25-4</a></div> </td> <td class=\"entry\">Added</td> <td class=\"entry\"> <a href=\"/updates/asu-2014-09/\" class=\"xref\">Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09</a> </td> <td class=\"entry\">05/28/2014</td> </tr> <tr> <td class=\"entry\"> <a href=\"/asc/720/946/#720-946-25-2\" class=\"xref\">946-720-25-2</a> </td> <td class=\"entry\">Amended</td> <td class=\"entry\"> <a href=\"/updates/asu-2024-02/\" class=\"xref\">Accounting Standards Update No. 2024-02</a> </td> <td class=\"entry\">03/29/2024</td> </tr> <tr> <td class=\"entry\"> <a href=\"/asc/720/946/#720-946-25-3\" class=\"xref\">946-720-25-3</a> </td> <td class=\"entry\">Amended</td> <td class=\"entry\"> <a href=\"/updates/asu-2016-20/\" class=\"xref\">Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-20</a> </td> <td class=\"entry\">12/21/2016</td> </tr> <tr> <td class=\"entry\"> <a href=\"/asc/720/946/#720-946-25-4\" class=\"xref\">946-720-25-4</a> </td> <td class=\"entry\">Amended</td> <td class=\"entry\"> <a href=\"/updates/asu-2016-20/\" class=\"xref\">Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-20</a> </td> <td class=\"entry\">12/21/2016</td> </tr> </table> </div> </div>","snippet":"The following table identifies the changes made to this Subtopic.\nParagraph | Action | Accounting Standards Update | Date |\n| | | |\n12b-1 | Added | Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09 | 05/28/2014 |\nContingent-Deferr…","pending":false,"provenance":{"source_url":"https://asc.fasb.org/","snapshot_version":"sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f","record_version":"sha256:c6d068d0ab7e6f6cd63e48f6c97d79d2c0fb0b7cf20631163bac2cafd13ee475","downloaded_from":"2026-09-10T01:11:42.404Z","last_downloaded_at":"2026-09-10T01:11:42.404Z","date_scope":"source_page","effective_as_of":null,"effective_as_of_status":"Not established by retrieval 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class=\"ol-norm\"><li class=\"li-norm\"><span class=\"linum\">a</span><div class=\"p\">Investment adviser's <a href=\"/glossary/o/#offering-costs\" class=\"term\" title=\"Offering costs include all of the following: Legal fees pertaining to the investment company's shares offered for sale Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)and state registration fees Underwriting and other similar costs Costs of printing prospectuses for sales purposes Initial fees paid to be listed on an exchange Tax opinion costs related to offering of shares Initial agency fees of securing the rating for bonds or preferred stock issued by closed-end funds.\"><span>offering costs</span></a> when both <a href=\"/glossary/b/#12b-1\" class=\"term\" title=\"Rule 12b-1 in Chapter 17 of the Code of Federal Regulations is one of the regulations implementing the Investment Company Act of 1940.\"><span>12b-1</span></a> fees and <a href=\"/glossary/c/#contingent-deferred-sales-load\" class=\"term\" title=\"A sales charge imposed directly on redeeming shareholders based on a percentage of the lesser of the redemption proceeds or original cost. The percentage may decrease or be eliminated based on the duration of share ownership (frequently decreases by 1 percent a year). Also referred to as back-end load.\"><span>contingent-deferred sales fees</span></a> are not received</div></li><li class=\"li-norm\"><span class=\"linum\">b</span><div class=\"p\"><a href=\"/updates/asu-2014-09/\" class=\"xref\">Subparagraph superseded by Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09</a>.</div></li><li class=\"li-norm\"><span class=\"linum\">c</span><div class=\"p\">Distribution costs for mutual funds with no front-end sales fee.</div></li></ol></div></div>","snippet":"This Subtopic addresses:\n(a) Investment adviser's offering costs when both 12b-1 fees and contingent-deferred sales fees are not received\n(b) Subparagraph superseded by Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09.\n(c) Distri…","pending":false,"provenance":{"source_url":"https://asc.fasb.org/","snapshot_version":"sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f","record_version":"sha256:d5770312eb59c2a1ad9843ce96927761c0e2c4eda4c80b313dc6f5a3874920fa","downloaded_from":"2026-09-10T01:11:45.518Z","last_downloaded_at":"2026-09-10T01:11:45.518Z","date_scope":"source_page","effective_as_of":null,"effective_as_of_status":"Not established by retrieval timestamps","source_key":"1943274/2147478877","source_sha256":"dd73f83f9456a1b541c088b40fa12bab74d28788f5817f95d65ec20268bc6c7e"}}],"provenance":{"source_url":"https://asc.fasb.org/","snapshot_version":"sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f","record_version":"sha256:44f9b327bc0482998b4ba28a870774c0f2b9b32b08355e5913ed77757db889ae","downloaded_from":"2026-09-10T01:11:45.518Z","last_downloaded_at":"2026-09-10T01:11:45.518Z","date_scope":"source_page","effective_as_of":null,"effective_as_of_status":"Not established by retrieval timestamps","source_key":"1943274/2147478877","source_sha256":"dd73f83f9456a1b541c088b40fa12bab74d28788f5817f95d65ec20268bc6c7e"}}],"provenance":{"source_url":"https://asc.fasb.org/","snapshot_version":"sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f","record_version":"sha256:d78b91a55289673f9cc04a16c6b28efc54ecebffbc962e857c514e63674375e5","downloaded_from":"2026-09-10T01:11:45.518Z","last_downloaded_at":"2026-09-10T01:11:45.518Z","date_scope":"source_page","effective_as_of":null,"effective_as_of_status":"Not established by retrieval timestamps","source_key":"1943274/2147478877","source_sha256":"dd73f83f9456a1b541c088b40fa12bab74d28788f5817f95d65ec20268bc6c7e"}},{"number":"15","label":"15 Scope and Scope Exceptions","anchor":"15-scope-and-scope-exceptions","is_sec":false,"groups":[{"block":null,"heading":"Overall Guidance","paragraphs":[{"citation":"720-946-15-1","para":"15-1","html":"<div class=\"asc-body\"><div class=\"norm-text\"><span class=\"sfragment\" id=\"sfr_14E922A1-6E94-1014-A13F-6E4B94C84136\"><span class=\"sfragment-source\">This Subtopic has its own discrete scope, which is separate and distinct from the pervasive scope for this Topic as outlined in Section <a altsource=\"GUID-7188B6E0-4BD3-475F-800F-A33B2CD5F134.ditamap\" class=\"ditamap\">946-10-15</a>.</span></span></div></div>","snippet":"This Subtopic has its own discrete scope, which is separate and distinct from the pervasive scope for this Topic as outlined in Section 946-10-15.","pending":false,"provenance":{"source_url":"https://asc.fasb.org/","snapshot_version":"sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f","record_version":"sha256:634f6dacb6407523aa9a3cfab60b6fd66d6265717c7aaf8ae6de47ca2002f581","downloaded_from":"2026-09-10T01:11:47.766Z","last_downloaded_at":"2026-09-10T01:11:47.766Z","date_scope":"source_page","effective_as_of":null,"effective_as_of_status":"Not established by retrieval timestamps","source_key":"1943274/2147478539","source_sha256":"6bd401c194517608b66cc94a6a38ca3008b6085f0ce77d2431d98dad2805dfa7"}}],"provenance":{"source_url":"https://asc.fasb.org/","snapshot_version":"sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f","record_version":"sha256:d290c08e24e7cd3d5af71207cf474a092b4f60ac939d3d3e539af0e238267187","downloaded_from":"2026-09-10T01:11:47.766Z","last_downloaded_at":"2026-09-10T01:11:47.766Z","date_scope":"source_page","effective_as_of":null,"effective_as_of_status":"Not established by retrieval timestamps","source_key":"1943274/2147478539","source_sha256":"6bd401c194517608b66cc94a6a38ca3008b6085f0ce77d2431d98dad2805dfa7"}},{"block":null,"heading":"Entities","paragraphs":[{"citation":"720-946-15-2","para":"15-2","html":"<div class=\"asc-body\"><div class=\"norm-text\"><span class=\"sfragment\" id=\"sfr_14E92409-6E94-1014-A13F-6E4B94C84136\"><span class=\"sfragment-source\">The guidance in this Subtopic applies to all investment advisers and distributors within the scope of either the Overall Subtopic (see Section <a altsource=\"GUID-7188B6E0-4BD3-475F-800F-A33B2CD5F134.ditamap\" class=\"ditamap\">946-10-15</a>) or Subtopic <a altsource=\"GUID-E6D9E56D-4DF0-41D9-BE76-29F52DB72DB9.ditamap\" class=\"ditamap\">940-10</a> (see Section <a altsource=\"GUID-72584C21-EC5A-4D7A-A57B-641241493286.ditamap\" class=\"ditamap\">940-10-15</a>).</span></span></div></div>","snippet":"The guidance in this Subtopic applies to all investment advisers and distributors within the scope of either the Overall Subtopic (see Section 946-10-15) or Subtopic 940-10 (see Section 940-10-15).","pending":false,"provenance":{"source_url":"https://asc.fasb.org/","snapshot_version":"sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f","record_version":"sha256:fe244b0082dfdc63c878687873592079f917236146ae57bfc2e583bc5ca23a17","downloaded_from":"2026-09-10T01:11:47.766Z","last_downloaded_at":"2026-09-10T01:11:47.766Z","date_scope":"source_page","effective_as_of":null,"effective_as_of_status":"Not established by retrieval timestamps","source_key":"1943274/2147478539","source_sha256":"6bd401c194517608b66cc94a6a38ca3008b6085f0ce77d2431d98dad2805dfa7"}}],"provenance":{"source_url":"https://asc.fasb.org/","snapshot_version":"sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f","record_version":"sha256:e97f0df906f24bd8869ef91eec19b58c7e24d02001326eaf44be8f09e1f83a6f","downloaded_from":"2026-09-10T01:11:47.766Z","last_downloaded_at":"2026-09-10T01:11:47.766Z","date_scope":"source_page","effective_as_of":null,"effective_as_of_status":"Not established by retrieval timestamps","source_key":"1943274/2147478539","source_sha256":"6bd401c194517608b66cc94a6a38ca3008b6085f0ce77d2431d98dad2805dfa7"}}],"provenance":{"source_url":"https://asc.fasb.org/","snapshot_version":"sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f","record_version":"sha256:c6d8016d53c93eed3fd3a60472d48e911cc1a59a15f1c418a76893269907ad60","downloaded_from":"2026-09-10T01:11:47.766Z","last_downloaded_at":"2026-09-10T01:11:47.766Z","date_scope":"source_page","effective_as_of":null,"effective_as_of_status":"Not established by retrieval timestamps","source_key":"1943274/2147478539","source_sha256":"6bd401c194517608b66cc94a6a38ca3008b6085f0ce77d2431d98dad2805dfa7"}},{"number":"25","label":"25 Recognition","anchor":"25-recognition","is_sec":false,"groups":[{"block":null,"heading":"Investment Adviser's Offering Costs When both 12b-1 Fees and Contingent-Deferred Sales Fees Are Not Received","paragraphs":[{"citation":"720-946-25-1","para":"25-1","html":"<div class=\"asc-body\"><div class=\"norm-text\"> <span class=\"sfragment\" id=\"sfr_150B65D7-6E94-1014-A13F-6E4B94C84136\"><span class=\"sfragment-source\">Paragraph <a href=\"/asc/720/946/#720-946-25-4\" class=\"xref\">946-720-25-4</a> provides guidance on accounting by investment advisers who are reimbursed, for <a href=\"/glossary/o/#offering-costs\" class=\"term\" title=\"Offering costs include all of the following: Legal fees pertaining to the investment company's shares offered for sale Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)and state registration fees Underwriting and other similar costs Costs of printing prospectuses for sales purposes Initial fees paid to be listed on an exchange Tax opinion costs related to offering of shares Initial agency fees of securing the rating for bonds or preferred stock issued by closed-end funds.\"><span>offering costs</span></a> paid, through both <a href=\"/glossary/b/#12b-1\" class=\"term\" title=\"Rule 12b-1 in Chapter 17 of the Code of Federal Regulations is one of the regulations implementing the Investment Company Act of 1940.\"><span>12b-1</span></a> fees and <a href=\"/glossary/c/#contingent-deferred-sales-load\" class=\"term\" title=\"A sales charge imposed directly on redeeming shareholders based on a percentage of the lesser of the redemption proceeds or original cost. The percentage may decrease or be eliminated based on the duration of share ownership (frequently decreases by 1 percent a year). Also referred to as back-end load.\"><span>contingent-deferred sales fees</span></a>. </span></span> <span class=\"sfragment\" id=\"sfr_150B678B-6E94-1014-A13F-6E4B94C84136\"><span class=\"sfragment-source\">Accordingly, the accounting by those investment advisers for offering costs are outside the scope of the guidance in paragraphs <div class=\"xref-range displayInline\"><a href=\"/asc/720/946/#720-946-25-2\" class=\"xref\">946-720-25-2 through 25-3</a></div>. </span></span> </div> </div>","snippet":"Paragraph 946-720-25-4 provides guidance on accounting by investment advisers who are reimbursed, for offering costs paid, through both 12b-1 fees and contingent-deferred sales fees. Accordingly, the accounting by those …","pending":false,"provenance":{"source_url":"https://asc.fasb.org/","snapshot_version":"sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f","record_version":"sha256:5f3d6ff4dd949c3a52a30633d9aa0bd4068a4f8dfabfc52a9a2a1313c7c90e3f","downloaded_from":"2026-09-10T01:11:53.415Z","last_downloaded_at":"2026-09-10T01:11:53.415Z","date_scope":"source_page","effective_as_of":null,"effective_as_of_status":"Not established by retrieval timestamps","source_key":"1943274/2147477725","source_sha256":"1f0a996a3c005ea0fe385497f24cf875cb84d7f29e829900f6660b985a7f58aa"}},{"citation":"720-946-25-2","para":"25-2","html":"<div class=\"asc-body\"><div class=\"norm-text\"> <span class=\"sfragment\" id=\"sfr_150B68E7-6E94-1014-A13F-6E4B94C84136\"><span class=\"sfragment-source\">Benefits expected from the expenditures paid by an investment adviser in connection with the distribution of shares of a fund in circumstances in which the investment adviser does not receive both 12b-1 fees and contingent-deferred sales fees do not meet the definition of an asset of the investment adviser as provided in FASB Concepts Statement No. 6, Elements of Financial Statements. </span></span> <span class=\"sfragment\" id=\"sfr_150B6A0E-6E94-1014-A13F-6E4B94C84136\"><span class=\"sfragment-source\">Accordingly, such offering costs paid by the investment adviser shall be expensed as incurred. </span></span> <span class=\"sfragment\" id=\"sfr_150B6B47-6E94-1014-A13F-6E4B94C84136\"><span class=\"sfragment-source\">Initial offering costs paid by an investment adviser that does not receive both 12b-1 fees and contingent-deferred sales fees are start-up costs of the investment adviser, which should be accounted for in accordance with Subtopic <a altsource=\"GUID-D5ED2890-B56E-4069-AE3F-7338075492F5.ditamap\" class=\"ditamap\">720-15</a>. </span></span> </div> <div class=\"div pending-text\" id=\"SL51750304-203334__GUID-ABC7E7EC-8270-4447-A248-6454CD7158A2\"> <div class=\"div date-effective\"><span class=\"transition-header\">Transition date:</span><span class=\"p-alphabet\">(P) December 16, 2024; (N) December 16, 2025</span><span class=\"transition-header pipe-separator\">Transition guidance:</span></div> <a href=\"/asc/105/10/#105-10-65-9\" class=\"xref\">105-10-65-9</a> <span class=\"sfragment\" id=\"GUID-5E5EB022-5540-4CD0-BB85-D13C71AD9D85Costs incurredASU2024-0233EITFD-0764.1EITFD-0764.2.1\"><span class=\"sfragment-source\"> <span class=\"sfragment\" id=\"GUID-373196E4-1746-46B0-96A8-3C17E035DEF8\"><span class=\"sfragment-source\">Costs incurred</span></span> by an investment adviser in connection with the distribution of shares of a fund in circumstances in which the investment adviser does not receive both 12b-1 fees and contingent-deferred sales fees <span class=\"sfragment\" id=\"GUID-37B9BF24-1316-4B72-8AC0-AE3114E88234\"><span class=\"sfragment-source\"></span></span><span class=\"sfragment\" id=\"GUID-C6E938B3-5E7D-4D81-BE6A-9AECBAE34203\"><span class=\"sfragment-source\"></span></span>shall be expensed as incurred. </span></span> <span class=\"sfragment\" id=\"GUID-A88DD2BA-0F57-4985-A18C-EE4240DF52B8\"><span class=\"sfragment-source\">Initial offering costs paid by an investment adviser that does not receive both 12b-1 fees and contingent-deferred sales fees are start-up costs of the investment adviser, which should be accounted for in accordance with Subtopic <a altsource=\"GUID-D5ED2890-B56E-4069-AE3F-7338075492F5.ditamap\" class=\"ditamap\">720-15</a>. </span></span> </div> </div>","snippet":"Benefits expected from the expenditures paid by an investment adviser in connection with the distribution of shares of a fund in circumstances in which the investment adviser does not receive both 12b-1 fees and continge…","pending":true,"provenance":{"source_url":"https://asc.fasb.org/","snapshot_version":"sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f","record_version":"sha256:7fcc2cf4f47c65b27a15de714239b6cc7aef464e098d6443ea4427a0c93067f8","downloaded_from":"2026-09-10T01:11:53.415Z","last_downloaded_at":"2026-09-10T01:11:53.415Z","date_scope":"source_page","effective_as_of":null,"effective_as_of_status":"Not established by retrieval timestamps","source_key":"1943274/2147477725","source_sha256":"1f0a996a3c005ea0fe385497f24cf875cb84d7f29e829900f6660b985a7f58aa"}}],"provenance":{"source_url":"https://asc.fasb.org/","snapshot_version":"sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f","record_version":"sha256:557fd23eab799f6bc40be2c59fe3ea56c9b9f6e9ed71179f49f7120340d90c39","downloaded_from":"2026-09-10T01:11:53.415Z","last_downloaded_at":"2026-09-10T01:11:53.415Z","date_scope":"source_page","effective_as_of":null,"effective_as_of_status":"Not established by retrieval timestamps","source_key":"1943274/2147477725","source_sha256":"1f0a996a3c005ea0fe385497f24cf875cb84d7f29e829900f6660b985a7f58aa"}},{"block":null,"heading":"Distribution Costs for Funds","paragraphs":[{"citation":"720-946-25-3","para":"25-3","html":"<div class=\"asc-body\"><div class=\"norm-text\"> <span class=\"sfragment\" id=\"sfr_150B6C73-6E94-1014-A13F-6E4B94C84136\"><span class=\"sfragment-source\">The guidance in paragraph <a href=\"/asc/720/946/#720-946-25-2\" class=\"xref\">946-720-25-2</a> applies also to distribution plans of open-end investment companies permitted under Rule 12b-1. </span></span> <span class=\"sfragment\" id=\"sfr_150B6DA6-6E94-1014-A13F-6E4B94C84136\"><span class=\"sfragment-source\">Some closed-end interval funds incur distribution-related fees (similar to 12b-1 fees) and impose early withdrawal charges (similar to contingent-deferred sales fees) pursuant to exemptive orders issued under the Investment Company Act of 1940. </span></span> <span class=\"sfragment\" id=\"sfr_150B6EDB-6E94-1014-A13F-6E4B94C84136\"><span class=\"sfragment-source\">In addition, certain funds not subject to regulation under the Investment Company Act of 1940 also may incur fees and impose charges that are substantially the same as 12b-1 fees and contingent-deferred sales fees, respectively. </span></span> <span class=\"sfragment\" id=\"sfr_150B700A-6E94-1014-A13F-6E4B94C84136\"><span class=\"sfragment-source\">In those instances, an entity shall defer and amortize the incremental direct costs and shall account for offering costs incurred for distribution of those funds in a manner similar to the accounting specified in paragraph <a href=\"/asc/720/946/#720-946-25-4\" class=\"xref\">946-720-25-4</a>. </span></span> </div> </div>","snippet":"The guidance in paragraph 946-720-25-2 applies also to distribution plans of open-end investment companies permitted under Rule 12b-1. Some closed-end interval funds incur distribution-related fees (similar to 12b-1 fees…","pending":false,"provenance":{"source_url":"https://asc.fasb.org/","snapshot_version":"sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f","record_version":"sha256:daf16ecc55eb9881b114b2acfd21dc0127ff658fb4ad5e207f3967ae81c031b6","downloaded_from":"2026-09-10T01:11:53.415Z","last_downloaded_at":"2026-09-10T01:11:53.415Z","date_scope":"source_page","effective_as_of":null,"effective_as_of_status":"Not established by retrieval timestamps","source_key":"1943274/2147477725","source_sha256":"1f0a996a3c005ea0fe385497f24cf875cb84d7f29e829900f6660b985a7f58aa"}},{"citation":"720-946-25-4","para":"25-4","html":"<div class=\"asc-body\"><div class=\"norm-text\"> <span class=\"sfragment\" id=\"sfr_150B713E-6E94-1014-A13F-6E4B94C84136\"><span class=\"sfragment-source\">Distributors of mutual funds that do not have a <a href=\"/glossary/f/#front-end-load\" class=\"term\" title=\"A sales commission or charge payable at the time of purchase of mutual fund shares.\"><span>front-end load</span></a></span></span> <span class=\"sfragment\" id=\"sfr_150B7256-6E94-1014-A13F-6E4B94C84136\"><span class=\"sfragment-source\">shall defer and amortize the incremental direct costs and shall expense the indirect costs when incurred. </span></span> </div> </div>","snippet":"Distributors of mutual funds that do not have a front-end load shall defer and amortize the incremental direct costs and shall expense the indirect costs when incurred.","pending":false,"provenance":{"source_url":"https://asc.fasb.org/","snapshot_version":"sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f","record_version":"sha256:eef592665f6aab22db7c82cace7dbb36ea992bb579d36535773f636dba3df62f","downloaded_from":"2026-09-10T01:11:53.415Z","last_downloaded_at":"2026-09-10T01:11:53.415Z","date_scope":"source_page","effective_as_of":null,"effective_as_of_status":"Not established by retrieval timestamps","source_key":"1943274/2147477725","source_sha256":"1f0a996a3c005ea0fe385497f24cf875cb84d7f29e829900f6660b985a7f58aa"}}],"provenance":{"source_url":"https://asc.fasb.org/","snapshot_version":"sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f","record_version":"sha256:3361c2f1777e4a13a6807484b5e7e72439774b3acd2690c8b608bc40945ee478","downloaded_from":"2026-09-10T01:11:53.415Z","last_downloaded_at":"2026-09-10T01:11:53.415Z","date_scope":"source_page","effective_as_of":null,"effective_as_of_status":"Not established by retrieval timestamps","source_key":"1943274/2147477725","source_sha256":"1f0a996a3c005ea0fe385497f24cf875cb84d7f29e829900f6660b985a7f58aa"}}],"provenance":{"source_url":"https://asc.fasb.org/","snapshot_version":"sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f","record_version":"sha256:3bdc9e880e586e91e2ff924f7eb52ec16f426635fde3651d04304d681ba3f32b","downloaded_from":"2026-09-10T01:11:53.415Z","last_downloaded_at":"2026-09-10T01:11:53.415Z","date_scope":"source_page","effective_as_of":null,"effective_as_of_status":"Not established by retrieval timestamps","source_key":"1943274/2147477725","source_sha256":"1f0a996a3c005ea0fe385497f24cf875cb84d7f29e829900f6660b985a7f58aa"}}],"enrichment":{"summary":"This Subtopic tells investment advisers and mutual fund distributors how to account for costs incurred to distribute fund shares. The general rule: if the adviser does not receive both 12b-1 fees and contingent-deferred sales fees, the distribution/offering costs fail the definition of an asset and must be expensed as incurred (with initial offering costs treated as start-up costs under Subtopic 720-15). Distributors of no-front-end-load mutual funds instead defer and amortize incremental direct costs and expense indirect costs as incurred.","key_points":["The Subtopic has its own discrete scope, separate from the pervasive scope of Section 946-10-15, and applies to all investment advisers and distributors within the scope of either Subtopic 946-10 or Subtopic 940-10 (720-946-15-1 through 15-2).","Advisers reimbursed through both 12b-1 fees and contingent-deferred sales fees follow paragraph 946-720-25-4 and are outside the scope of 720-946-25-2 through 25-3 (720-946-25-1).","When an investment adviser does not receive both 12b-1 fees and contingent-deferred sales fees, expected benefits from distribution expenditures do not meet the FASB Concepts Statement No. 6 definition of an asset, so those offering costs are expensed as incurred (720-946-25-2).","Initial offering costs paid by an adviser that does not receive both fee types are start-up costs accounted for under Subtopic 720-15 (720-946-25-2).","The expense-as-incurred guidance also applies to Rule 12b-1 distribution plans of open-end investment companies; however, closed-end interval funds and unregistered funds with fees/charges substantially the same as 12b-1 fees and contingent-deferred sales fees must defer and amortize incremental direct costs in a manner similar to 946-720-25-4 (720-946-25-3).","Distributors of mutual funds without a front-end load defer and amortize incremental direct costs and expense indirect costs when incurred (720-946-25-4).","Amended guidance effective for periods beginning after December 16, 2024 (public) / December 16, 2025 (nonpublic), with transition guidance in 105-10-65-9, restates the rule as costs incurred in connection with distribution of fund shares being expensed as incurred (720-946-25-2)."],"categories":["Recognition","Industry-specific","Subsequent measurement"],"audience_level":"advanced","student_note":"The pivot point is whether the adviser receives BOTH 12b-1 fees and contingent-deferred sales fees — only then is deferral and amortization of incremental direct costs appropriate; otherwise everything is expensed as incurred. Students often wrongly assume any fund distribution cost can be capitalized because future fee revenue is expected, but expected benefits alone do not create an asset under Concepts Statement No. 6.","related_topics":["946-720","720-15","940-10","946-10","105-10"],"key_concepts":["12b-1 fees","contingent-deferred sales fees","offering costs","distribution costs","incremental direct costs","start-up costs","front-end load","definition of an asset"],"provenance":{"source_url":"https://asc.fasb.org/","snapshot_version":"sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f","record_version":"sha256:691e2023b4d5eca4d152d97ca75616d922278acb83e5932af0888e962bc136b1","downloaded_from":"2026-09-10T01:11:42.404Z","last_downloaded_at":"2026-09-10T01:11:53.415Z","date_scope":"source_page_range","effective_as_of":null,"effective_as_of_status":"Not established by retrieval timestamps"}},"related":[{"number":"720-940","title":"Financial Services—Brokers and Dealers","topic_title":"Other Expenses","score":0.7642,"provenance":{"source_url":"https://asc.fasb.org/","snapshot_version":"sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f","record_version":"sha256:52c31bad35ef8732a9eb4e6a1ba7c8fd903c47a93b8b05132028d1936557889c","downloaded_from":"2026-09-10T01:10:51.348Z","last_downloaded_at":"2026-09-10T01:11:02.039Z","date_scope":"source_page_range","effective_as_of":null,"effective_as_of_status":"Not established by retrieval timestamps"}},{"number":"946-20","title":"Investment Company Activities","topic_title":"Financial Services—Investment Companies","score":0.7579,"provenance":{"source_url":"https://asc.fasb.org/","snapshot_version":"sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f","record_version":"sha256:760f347d2ebe900f08073b0be361b2880eaa00df2af2c5f423885907196eed3a","downloaded_from":"2026-09-10T02:19:28.974Z","last_downloaded_at":"2026-09-10T02:20:03.597Z","date_scope":"source_page_range","effective_as_of":null,"effective_as_of_status":"Not established by retrieval timestamps"}},{"number":"340-10","title":"Overall","topic_title":"Other Assets and Deferred Costs","score":0.7055,"provenance":{"source_url":"https://asc.fasb.org/","snapshot_version":"sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f","record_version":"sha256:12a6e36dd2ac9cbb3def53c4a8a93ad3f9be661def41676305178017700a08c8","downloaded_from":"2026-09-09T23:54:15.524Z","last_downloaded_at":"2026-09-09T23:55:04.724Z","date_scope":"source_page_range","effective_as_of":null,"effective_as_of_status":"Not established by retrieval timestamps"}},{"number":"340-940","title":"Financial Services—Brokers and Dealers","topic_title":"Other Assets and Deferred Costs","score":0.6552,"provenance":{"source_url":"https://asc.fasb.org/","snapshot_version":"sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f","record_version":"sha256:a665cd9482813047c9a30ea8f5cbd1ef90be2baa5b383adb8f6293a58a2cd7e5","downloaded_from":"2026-09-09T23:57:38.994Z","last_downloaded_at":"2026-09-09T23:57:57.240Z","date_scope":"source_page_range","effective_as_of":null,"effective_as_of_status":"Not established by retrieval timestamps"}},{"number":"720-15","title":"Start-Up Costs","topic_title":"Other Expenses","score":0.6527,"provenance":{"source_url":"https://asc.fasb.org/","snapshot_version":"sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f","record_version":"sha256:d088f537ba301a3dd19636edd8500df05e713f15d8920286d848eb1cd9da177f","downloaded_from":"2026-09-10T01:06:59.231Z","last_downloaded_at":"2026-09-10T01:07:15.369Z","date_scope":"source_page_range","effective_as_of":null,"effective_as_of_status":"Not established by retrieval timestamps"}},{"number":"720-35","title":"Advertising Costs","topic_title":"Other Expenses","score":0.6488,"provenance":{"source_url":"https://asc.fasb.org/","snapshot_version":"sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f","record_version":"sha256:31261d423df76b37f63b00b78b9fa49e679b6433fad053b46f77fa6f9e5db222","downloaded_from":"2026-09-10T00:48:39.704Z","last_downloaded_at":"2026-09-10T00:48:53.854Z","date_scope":"source_page_range","effective_as_of":null,"effective_as_of_status":"Not established by retrieval timestamps"}}],"prev":{"number":"720-944","title":"Financial Services—Insurance","topic_title":"Other Expenses","provenance":{"source_url":"https://asc.fasb.org/","snapshot_version":"sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f","record_version":"sha256:7c7588ea053a9c2604eed95b92936f1221a04301ead8be9b06d1be9a7a4018e3","downloaded_from":"2026-09-10T01:11:16.270Z","last_downloaded_at":"2026-09-10T01:11:38.484Z","date_scope":"source_page_range","effective_as_of":null,"effective_as_of_status":"Not established by retrieval timestamps"}},"next":{"number":"720-948","title":"Financial Services—Mortgage Banking","topic_title":"Other Expenses","provenance":{"source_url":"https://asc.fasb.org/","snapshot_version":"sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f","record_version":"sha256:228321ae75950229bc67a06d8bc6fba4f1008bf8a859cb4773931740c8e79f16","downloaded_from":"2026-09-10T01:11:56.550Z","last_downloaded_at":"2026-09-10T01:12:06.328Z","date_scope":"source_page_range","effective_as_of":null,"effective_as_of_status":"Not established by retrieval timestamps"}},"provenance":{"source_url":"https://asc.fasb.org/","snapshot_version":"sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f","record_version":"sha256:44ef58b559aca5eca07a7cafabe568945642eb3ce3151f3a6914f333e64a7e63","downloaded_from":"2026-09-10T01:11:42.404Z","last_downloaded_at":"2026-09-10T01:11:53.415Z","date_scope":"source_page_range","effective_as_of":null,"effective_as_of_status":"Not established by retrieval timestamps"}}