Paid-Up Share Capital: Definition and Explanation
Paid-up share capital is the portion of called-up capital for which full payment has been received from shareholders. It represents the total amount of the company’s equity that shareholders have paid in full. This term is crucial in assessing a company’s financial health and capital structure.
Examples
- Example 1: ABC Corp has issued 100,000 shares at a par value of $10 each. If shareholders have fully paid for all the issued shares, the paid-up share capital of ABC Corp is $1,000,000.
- Example 2: XYZ Ltd issues 50,000 shares with a face value of $20 each. If shareholders pay the amount in full, XYZ Ltd’s paid-up share capital is $1,000,000.
- Example 3: LMN Inc issued 200,000 shares at a nominal value of $5 each. Shareholders have paid 75% of the value. Thus, the paid-up share capital is $750,000.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is the difference between issued share capital and paid-up share capital?
- A1: Issued share capital is the total value of shares that the company has issued to shareholders. Paid-up share capital is the portion of the issued share capital for which the full payment has been received from shareholders.
Q2: Can a company have paid-up share capital without issued share capital?
- A2: No, paid-up share capital is derived from issued share capital. Without issued share capital, there cannot be any paid-up share capital.
Q3: What happens if shareholders do not fully pay for their shares?
- A3: If shareholders do not fully pay for their shares, the unpaid portion is referred to as unpaid share capital or calls in arrears. The company can enforce payment of the outstanding amount.
- Issued Share Capital: The portion of the authorized share capital that has been offered and sold to shareholders.
- Fully Paid Shares: Shares that have been issued and fully paid for by the shareholders.
- Called-Up Share Capital: The amount of issued share capital that shareholders are required to pay under a call for payment.
Online References
- Investopedia: Paid-Up Capital
- Corporate Finance Institute: Share Capital
- AccountingTools: Paid-In Capital
Suggested Books for Further Studies
- “Financial Accounting and Reporting” by Barry Elliott and Jamie Elliott
- “Intermediate Accounting” by Donald E. Kieso, Jerry J. Weygandt, and Terry D. Warfield
- “Corporate Finance: Theory and Practice” by Aswath Damodaran
- “Accounting Principles” by Jerry J. Weygandt, Paul D. Kimmel, and Donald E. Kieso
Accounting Basics: “Paid-Up Share Capital” Fundamentals Quiz
### What is paid-up share capital?
- [x] The portion of issued share capital that has been fully paid by shareholders.
- [ ] The amount of capital a company is authorized to raise.
- [ ] The unpaid portion of issued shares.
- [ ] Equity that has not yet been issued.
> **Explanation:** Paid-up share capital refers to the portion of issued share capital for which shareholders have made full payment.
### If a company has issued share capital of $500,000, and 80% has been paid, what is the paid-up share capital?
- [x] $400,000
- [ ] $500,000
- [ ] $100,000
- [ ] $600,000
> **Explanation:** The paid-up share capital is $500,000 * 80% = $400,000.
### What would fully paid shares indicate?
- [x] That the shareholders have fully paid the par or nominal value of the shares.
- [ ] That the company has issued new shares.
- [ ] That the shares are about to be issued.
- [ ] That the shares have been partially paid.
> **Explanation:** Fully paid shares mean that shareholders have paid the full amount for the shares issued by the company.
### What options does a company have if shareholders do not fully pay for their shares?
- [x] Enforce payment of the outstanding amount.
- [ ] Issue more shares to cover the deficit.
- [ ] Delete the outstanding balance.
- [ ] Increase the par value of shares.
> **Explanation:** The company has the option to enforce payment of the outstanding amount to cover the unpaid share capital.
### Can a company have paid-up share capital and issued share capital at the same time?
- [x] Yes, because paid-up share capital is derived from issued share capital.
- [ ] No, they cannot coexist.
- [ ] Yes, but only in private companies.
- [ ] Only during the initial public offering.
> **Explanation:** Paid-up share capital is a portion of issued share capital for which payment has been received, hence they can coexist.
### What is the relationship between called-up share capital and paid-up share capital?
- [x] Paid-up share capital is part of called-up share capital that has been paid in full.
- [ ] Called-up share capital is part of unpaid share capital.
- [ ] They are unrelated terms.
- [ ] Called-up share capital is higher than paid-up share capital always.
> **Explanation:** Paid-up share capital is the part of called-up share capital that has been completely paid.
### When assessing a company's financial health, why is paid-up share capital significant?
- [x] It indicates the actual cash in hand from equity financing.
- [ ] It shows the future potential earnings capacity.
- [ ] It predicts stock market performance.
- [ ] It directly affects the company's liabilities.
> **Explanation:** Paid-up share capital is significant as it shows the actual cash inflow from shareholders, contributing to the company's equity base.
### What portion of issued share capital does paid-up share capital represent?
- [x] Only the part that has been fully paid for by shareholders.
- [ ] The entire issued share capital.
- [ ] Only the part that is yet to be paid by shareholders.
- [ ] The difference between issued and called-up share capital.
> **Explanation:** Paid-up share capital represents the portion of issued share capital that has been fully paid by shareholders.
### Which of the following correctly compares called-up share capital to paid-up share capital?
- [x] Called-up share capital includes all issued share capital that has been requested for payment; paid-up share capital is only the fully paid portion.
- [ ] Called-up share capital is always lower than issued share capital, whereas paid-up capital can be higher.
- [ ] Paid-up share capital includes unpaid shares not yet called for payment.
- [ ] Issued share capital and paid-up share capital are interchangeable terms.
> **Explanation:** Called-up share capital is the amount requested for payment from shareholders, while paid-up share capital is the amount that has actually been paid.
### Which financial statement reflects paid-up share capital?
- [x] The balance sheet under shareholders' equity.
- [ ] The income statement under revenue.
- [ ] The cash flow statement under cash from investing activities.
- [ ] The statement of retained earnings.
> **Explanation:** Paid-up share capital is found in the balance sheet under shareholders' equity.
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