Paid in capital

Accountancy
Key concepts
Accountant · Accounting period · Bookkeeping · Cash and accrual basis · Cash flow forecasting · Chart of accounts · Journal · Special journals · Constant item purchasing power accounting · Cost of goods sold · Credit terms · Debits and credits · Double-entry system · Mark-to-market accounting · FIFO and LIFO · GAAP / IFRS · General ledger · Goodwill · Historical cost · Matching principle · Revenue recognition · Trial balance
Fields of accounting
Cost · Financial · Forensic · Fund · Management · Tax (U.S.)
Financial statements
Balance sheet · Cash flow statement · Statement of retained earnings · Income statement · Notes · Management discussion and analysis · XBRL
Auditing
Auditor's report · Financial audit · GAAS / ISA · Internal audit · Sarbanes–Oxley Act
Accounting qualifications
CA · CPA · CCA · CGA · CMA · CAT · CFA · CIIA · IIA · CTP · ACCA

Paid in capital (Paid-in capital or Contributed capital) refers to capital contributed to a corporation by investors through purchase of stock from the corporation (primary market) (not through purchase of stock in the open market from other stockholders (secondary market)). It includes share capital (i.e. capital stock) as well as additional paid-in capital.

However, the term has different definitions in different contexts. For example, it could refer to the money that a company gets from potential investors in addition to the stated (nominal or par) value of the stock, which coincides with the definition of Additional paid-in capital (Paid-in capital in excess of par). The user should be aware of the use of the term and abbreviation, otherwise it may be misleading.

Basic concepts

Paid-in Capital (a.k.a. Contributed Capital) = A + B :
A = Share capital/Capital stock (Common stock plus Preferred stock)
B = Additional paid-in capital (a.k.a. Paid-in capital in excess of par.)

Additional Paid-in Capital

Excess received from shareholders over the par value (or stated value) of the stock issued; also called contributed capital in excess of par.

For example, if 1,000 shares of $10 par value common stock are issued at a price of $12 per share, the additional paid-in capital is $2,000 (1,000 shares x $2). Additional paid-in capital is shown in the Shareholders' Equity section of the balance sheet.

See also