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While both are debt instruments, debentures are typically issued by private companies and may or may not be secured, whereas bonds are often issued by government entities and are generally considered more secure. The terms are sometimes used interchangeably, but there are differences in usage and regulation.
Who can invest in debentures?
Individuals, banks, mutual funds, and other institutional investors can invest in debentures. They are suitable for investors seeking regular income and lower risk compared to equity investments.
Is interest on debentures taxable for investors?
Yes, the interest income earned from debentures is taxable in the hands of the investor as per applicable income tax laws. However, the issuing company can treat interest as a deductible expense.
How are debentures different from shares?
Shares represent ownership in a company and come with voting rights and dividend benefits. Debentures, on the other hand, are debt instruments that offer fixed interest income without giving any ownership or voting rights to the holder.
Debentures, Meaning, Features, and Benefits in Business
Learn about debentures meaning, types of debentures, what is debenture in accounting, debenture interest, and how debentures are included in business finance and balance sheets.
Muskan Verma8 Apr, 2025
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In the world of business finance, securing funds for growth, expansion, or operational continuity is essential. Among the various financing instruments available, debentures play a pivotal role. Known for offering fixed returns to investors and enabling companies to raise long-term capital, debentures are a crucial concept in both finance and accounting.
In this blog, we’ll learn about debentures meaning, types of debentures, key features, and their benefits to businesses. If you’ve been searching for terms like what is debenture in accounting, debenture interest, or debentures are included in financial statements, this guide covers everything you need to know.
What Are Debentures?
A debenture is a financial instrument used by companies to borrow money from the public. Simply put, debentures are long-term debt securities issued by companies promising to pay a fixed interest over a specified period and return the principal at maturity.
To simplify further, if you're wondering what is debenture in accounting, it refers to a liability recorded on the company’s balance sheet as borrowed capital. It does not imply any ownership in the business.
Unlike shares, debentures are included in the liabilities section, highlighting the obligation to repay.
What is Debenture in Accounting?
From an accounting standpoint, the question what is debenture in accounting refers to how these instruments are recorded:
On issue, the bank account is debited, and a liability account (debenture) is credited.
Interest payable is shown as an expense and deducted from profits.
On redemption, the debenture liability is settled with a payment to the investor.
Debentures create a legal obligation for repayment, unlike equity which is at the discretion of the company.
Features of Debentures
Understanding the features of debentures helps distinguish them from other funding tools like shares or bank loans. Here are the key characteristics:
Fixed Interest Returns: Debentures pay a predetermined debenture interest irrespective of the company’s performance.
Redemption Period: They are issued for a specified tenure after which the principal amount is returned.
Non-Ownership: Debenture holders do not get any ownership rights or voting power in the company.
Tradable: Most debentures are listed on stock exchanges and can be bought or sold.
Security Status: They may be secured against assets or issued without collateral (unsecured).
Redeemability: Companies may issue redeemable debentures with a defined payback timeline.
Types of Debentures
Types of debentures vary based on convertibility, security, and terms of repayment. Some of the most common categories include:
Secured Debentures: Backed by specific assets of the company.
Unsecured Debentures: Issued purely on the issuer’s credibility without collateral.
Convertible Debentures: Can be converted into equity shares after a certain period.
Redeemable Debentures: Repaid on a pre-decided maturity date.
Irredeemable Debentures: No fixed repayment date; continue indefinitely.
Registered Debentures: Holder details are recorded in company books.
Bearer Debentures: Transferable by delivery and not registered by the company.
Among these, redeemable debentures are the most commonly used due to their structured repayment benefits.
Debentures in Financial Statements
When analyzing a company’s financials, a common question is: debentures are included in which part of financial statements?
Answer: They are shown under long-term liabilities or borrowings on the balance sheet. The interest payments made to debenture holders are shown as expenses in the Profit and Loss Account, reducing taxable profits.
Key Difference Between Shares and Debentures
Both shares and debentures are popular instruments for raising capital, but they serve different purposes and have distinct features:
Key Difference Between Shares and Debentures
Criteria
Share
Debentures
Ownership
Yes
No
Voting Rights
Yes
No
Return
Dividends
Fixed Debenture Interest
Risk
High
Comparatively Lower
Financial Statement
Shown in Shareholders' Equity
Shown in Liabilities
Investors preferring lower risk and fixed returns often go for debentures, while those seeking ownership and higher returns may opt for shares.
Debenture Example
Let’s understand through a debenture example:
A company issues ₹5 lakh worth of debentures at an interest rate of 9% for 6 years. The investors receive ₹45,000 annually as debenture interest, and the principal ₹5 lakh is returned at the end of the term.
This illustrates how debentures offer predictable returns to investors and help companies raise capital without diluting control.
Debenture Interest and Tax Benefits
A major reason companies prefer issuing debentures is the tax benefit associated with debenture interest. The interest paid is treated as a business expense, making it tax-deductible under the Income Tax Act. This reduces the overall tax liability of the business.
For investors, receiving fixed debenture interest regularly is a strong incentive, especially during periods of market volatility.
Why Companies Prefer Debentures? Benefits of Debentures
There are several strategic advantages of debentures for companies:
Maintain Control: Since debenture holders don’t have voting rights, issuing debentures doesn’t dilute ownership.
Fixed Cost of Capital: The interest rate is fixed, helping with financial forecasting.
Tax Deductibility: Interest paid on debentures is an allowable expense.
Market Perception: Successfully raising funds via debentures signals business credibility.
Flexible Structuring: Options like redeemable debentures allow tailored repayment schedules.
Debentures are a reliable, flexible, and effective way for businesses to raise funds without diluting equity. From understanding debentures meaning, their classification under types of debentures, to how debentures are included in accounting records, this financial tool stands as a cornerstone of corporate financing.
For investors, the allure lies in the fixed debenture interest and relatively lower risk. For companies, the nature of non-ownership and tax advantages make it a go-to option for long-term funding.
So, whether you are analyzing financial statements, investing in fixed-income instruments, or studying corporate finance, understanding debenture examples, what is debenture in accounting, and their role in business can enhance your financial literacy and decision-making.
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