Question

The board of directors of capstone inc. declared a $0.60 per share cash dividend on its $1 par common stock. on the date of declaration, there were 50,000 shares authorized, 20,000 shares issued, and 5,000 shares held as treasury stock. what is the entry for the dividend declaration?

Answer 1

The entry for the dividend declaration is as following:
Debit Cash Dividend $12,000
Credit Dividend Payable $12,000
To acquire the amount we must multiply the dividend per share which is 0.06 with a number of common shares issued which is 20,000. Capston, Inc have to entry this transaction as the dividend declares although the cash has not yet disbursed to comply with the accrual principle.
 
The treasury stock must be ignored because it is the portion of stocks which held by the company in its own treasury and the amount of authorized stock because it is not yet issued and the company doesn't have the obligation to pay that portion of stocks dividend.