On May 20, the board of directors for Auction declared a cash dividend of 50 cents per share payable to stockholders of record on June 14. The dividends are paid on July 14. The company has 510,000 shares of stock outstanding. Closing entries are recorded on July 31. Prepare any necessary journal entries for each date.

May 20

No Entry

June 14

Dr. Dividends               $255,000

Cr. Dividend Payable  $255,000

July 14

Dr. Dividend Payable  $255,000

Cr. Cash                       $255,000

July 31

Dr. Retained Earnings $255,000

Cr. Dividend                 $255,000

Explanation:

Dividend = $0.5 x 510,000 = $255,000

May 20

Dividend is declared, No entry is required

June 14

Dividend to be recorded on this date. As  dividend is not paid yet so it will be recorded as payable and on the other hand dividend account is debited to make a contra capital account of dividend.

July 14

Dividend is paid as cash is paid so, it will be credited and the liability is reduced so, it will be debited.

July 31

At the end of the period we have to adjust the Dividend Contra capital account in retained earning to make the dividend account zero.