How do I record temporarily restricted revenue?
Jackson Reed
Updated on January 02, 2026
The journal entry is to debit a “Release of Restriction — Temporarily Restricted” account and credit “Release of Restriction — Unrestricted” account. Note that the revenue account is not touched when revenues are released — release accounts are used instead.
What is restricted and unrestricted net assets?
Unrestricted net assets are donations to nonprofit organizations that can be used for general expenses or any other legitimate purpose of the nonprofit. Permanently restricted net assets are often sums of money to be invested in perpetuity, with the proceeds available for a specified purpose.
What is temporarily restricted net assets?
Temporarily restricted net assets are the assets of a nonprofit entity that have a special restriction that was imposed by the donor. The restriction either requires that assets be used in a certain way, or the restriction will be removed after a certain amount of time has passed.
Are earnings on temporarily restricted funds unrestricted?
Types of Restricted Funds A temporarily restricted fund is usually time-bound and can be used for a specific purpose within a specified period. When the purpose for which it was intended is completed, or the time allowed has ended, the money becomes unrestricted or stopped.
Can permanently restricted net assets be released?
Permanently and temporarily restricted assets are items that are donated to nonprofits that have varying degrees of conditions on how they are to be used. These types of assets differ from assets that have conditions in that these donations cannot be rescinded by the donor.
What is the difference between deferred revenue and temporarily restricted net assets?
The rules surrounding deferred revenue are different for not-for-profit organizations. If there is a restriction on when the money can be used (time restriction) or how the money can be used (specific purpose), the funds should be reported as temporarily restricted revenue until the restriction is met.
What is a permanently restricted asset?
Permanently restricted assets are funds of a nonprofit organization that must be used in designated ways and whose principal cannot be touched. The income that the principal amount earns goes toward funding the stated wishes of the donor(s).
What are the 3 types of net asset restrictions?
Simplified net asset classifications Currently, nonprofits must present net assets in one of these three classes: Unrestricted Net Assets, Temporarily Restricted Net Assets or Permanently Restricted Net Assets.
What is the difference between restricted and unrestricted funds?
Restricted funds are monies set aside for a particular purpose as a result of designated giving. By contrast, unrestricted funds may be used for any legal purpose appropriate to the organization.
How do I account for restricted funds?
Typically, restricted funds are not required to be placed into a segregated bank account, but they must be accounted for separately in a nonprofit’s financial statements. When budgeting, nonprofits should separate restricted and unrestricted funds so that they allocate the money they have to spend correctly.
What is the difference between temporary and permanently restricted assets?
For Temporary Restrictions, these were funds donated to a nonprofit that may be temporarily restricted. If the donation is time restricted, the funds must be used in a specified manner for a period of time. While for Permanent Restrictions, a donor may place a permanent restriction on funds donated to the nonprofit.
What are restricted funds in accounting?
A restricted fund is a reserve account that contains money that can only be used for specific purposes. Restricted funds provide reassurance to donors that their contributions are used in a manner they have chosen.
What kind of restrictions are put on net assets?
what kinds of restrictions are put on net assets? Unrestricted net assets, temporarily restricted net assets, permanently restricted net assets 5.
Which is unrestricted fund example?
An example is a gift to a special scholarship fund at a university. Unrestricted funds are donations the nonprofit may use for any purpose. Unrestricted funds usually go toward the operating expenses of the organization or to a particular project that the nonprofit picks.
What type of account is restricted funds?
What can restricted funds be used for?
Restricted funds are monies set aside for a particular purpose as a result of designated giving. They are permanently restricted to that purpose and cannot be used for other expenses of the nonprofit. By contrast, unrestricted funds may be used for any legal purpose appropriate to the organization.