Question

Salah’s net income for the year ended December 31, Year 2 was $191,000. Information from Salah’s comparative balance sheets is given below. Compute the cash paid for dividends during Year 2. At December 31 Year 2 Year 1 Common Stock, $5 par value $ 506,000 $ 455,400 Paid-in capital in excess of par 954,000 858,400 Retained earnings 694,000 587,400

Answer 1

Answer:

Cash Dividends - Year 2 =  $84400

Explanation:

The net income of the business is usually appropriated or used for two purposes at the end of the year. It is either used to pay dividends or is retained in the business and is added to the retained earnings or both.

Thus, to calculate the dividends paid by the business in a particular year, we can calculate the change in retained earnings and deduct it from the net income.

Change in retained earnings = Ending balance of retained earnings - Beginning balance of retained earnings

Change in retained earnings = 694000 - 587400

Change in retained earnings = $106600

Thus, out of the net income of $191000, $106600 were transferred to retained earnings. So, the amount of dividends paid for the year is,

Cash Dividends - Year 2 = 191000 - 106600  = $84400