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Current stage

The International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) aims to comprehensively review IAS 38 Intangible Assets.

The IASB has started its review in a focused way, by exploring two initial streams:

  • assessing user needs for information about recognised and unrecognised intangible assets and expenditure associated with them in the financial statements; and
  • considering whether to update the definition of an intangible asset, associated guidance and some aspects of the recognition criteria, by initially using, as test cases, application issues related to newer types of intangible assets and new ways of using them; and then considering the effects of any potential amendments on the broader population of intangible assets.

Once work on the initial streams is completed, the IASB will consider whether it can make discrete meaningful improvements to IAS 38 or whether more work is needed before considering any changes to the Standard.

IASB® Update October 2026

The IASB met on 27 October 2026 to discuss:

  • potential options to change some aspects of the recognition requirements in IAS 38 Intangible Assets that were considered in the agile software development test case;
  • feedback from the IASB’s consultative groups on how findings from the workstream on user information needs might affect the project direction; and
  • an updated review of academic literature and other research relevant to the topics being explored in the project.

The IASB was not asked to make any decisions.  

Next milestone

Decide Project Direction