Summary of Statement No. 48

Revenue Recognition When Right of Return Exists (Issued 6/81)

Summary

This Statement specifies how an enterprise should account for sales of its product in which the buyer has a right to return the product. Revenue from those sales transactions shall be recognized at time of sale only if all of the conditions specified by the Statement are met. If those conditions are not met, revenue recognition is postponed; if they are met, sales revenue and cost of sales reported in the income statement shall be reduced to reflect estimated returns and expected costs or losses shall be accrued.