In Year 1 in a project to develop Product X, Lincoln Company incurred research and development costs totaling $10 million. Lincoln is able to clearly distinguish the research phase from the development phase of the project. Research-phase costs are $6 million, and development-phase costs are $4 million. All of the IAS 38 criteria have been met for recognition of the development costs as an asset. Product X was brought to market in Year 2 and is expected to be marketable for five years. Total sales of Product X are estimated at more than $100 million.
Required:
a. Determine the impact research and development costs have on Lincoln Company's Year 1 and Year 2 income under (1) IFRS and (2) U.S. GAAP.
b. Summarize the difference in income, total assets, and total stockholders' equity related to Product X over its five-year life under the two different sets of accounting rules.