Question

At year-end, ABC Company is completing its closing process. Use the following account balances to demonstrate the closing of the Dividends account.
Account Debit Credit Consulting Fees $5,000
Rental Revenue $2,000
Wages Expense $700
Rent Expense $1,900
Dividends $500

A debit Income Summary for $500.
Credit Dividends for $500.
Credit Retained Earnings $500
Debit Dividends for $500.
A credit Income Summary for $500.
Debit Retained Earnings $500.

Answer 1

Answer:

• Debit Retained Earnings $500.
• Credit Dividends for $500.

Explanation:

Dividends are payments to shareholders as a means of sharing company profits to them.

As they are a means of sharing profits, they will be paid from the Retained Earnings account. As this is an Equity account, it should be debited when it is to be reduced so Retained Earnings will be debited by $500 which is the dividend amount.

The dividend account will be credited to indicate that this is a debt that needs to be paid to shareholders so the Dividends account will be credited by $500.