Even though the revaluation surplus and retained earnings are both equity
accounts, they are separate accounts. The revaluation surplus may be
transferred to retained earnings (an entry made to debit the revaluation surplus
and credit retained earnings) in two circumstances. In both circumstances, the
transfers from the revaluation surplus to retained earnings are not made through
the profit or loss:
• In derecognition of an item of property, plant and equipment, the revaluation
surplus of the derecognized item may be transferred directly to retained
earnings. (Derecognition means the removal of an item of property, plant and
equipment from an entity’s accounting records.)
• The revaluation surplus may also be transferred to retained earnings even
though the asset is still in use by an entity. The amount of transfer is the
difference between the depreciation based on the revalued carrying amount
of the asset and the depreciation based on the asset’s original cost.