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You own a retail building that originally cost $2 million, but after realizing significant asset appreciation, you strike a deal to sell the property for $4 million. During this year and over the next three consecutive years, the buyer of the property agrees to pay you four annual installments of $1 million each.

An installment sale is a form of revenue recognition where revenue and expenses are recognized at the time of cash exchange. Installment sales require the buyer to make regular payments—i.e. installments. This method is useful for taxpayers looking to defer capital gains to future years.

The installment method is an approach to revenue recognition in which the business owner defers gross profit on a sale until receiving cash for the sale from the buyer. The installment method of revenue recognition records proportionate profit when an installment is received.

Revenue recognition. occurs when an entity satisfies a performance obligation by transferring either a good or service to a customer. Revenue should be recognized at an amount that reflects the expected consideration the entity is entitled to receive.

The installment method of revenue recognition is used when there is no reasonable basis for estimating the degree of collectivility. Under the installment method, when is revenue recognized? Under installment accounting, revenue is not recognized at the time a sale is made, but rather when cash is actually collected.

An installment sale is one that allows for a partial deferral of any capital gain to be accounted for in future tax years. The buyer must make regular payments on an annual basis plus interest. An example of this would be a car, house, or any purchase that is done on credit.

There are three important formulae for installment sales calculations: Gross Profit = Selling Price - Adjusted Basis. Gross Profit Percentage = Gross Profit / Selling Price. Gain Recognized or Taxable Gain = (Cash Collection excluding Interest) × Gross Profit Percentage.

An example of this would be a car, house, or any purchase that is done on credit. Installment sales are common in real estate but are restricted to individual sellers and buyers.