Concepts of Share Capital

Authorized Capital

Authorized capital is the maximum amount of share capital a company is authorized to issue by its Memorandum of Association. It is also called Nominal or Registered capital.

Issued Capital

It is the part of authorized capital, actually issued to the public for subscription including the shares allotted to vendors and the signatories to the company’s memorandum.

Unissued Capital

Unissued Capital is the part of authorized capital, not offered for public subscription.

Subscribed Capital

It is the part of issued capital, actually subscribed for by the public.

Subscribed and Fully Paid Capital

This is the part of subscribed capital in respect of which the whole amount has been called up and received by the company.

Subscribed but not Fully Paid Capital

This is the part of subscribed capital in respect of which the either the whole amount has not been called up or the part of called up capital remains unpaid by the shareholders.

Called-up Capital

It is that part of the subscribed capital which has been called up on the shares. The company may decide to call the entire amount or part of the face value of the shares.

Paid-up Capital

It is the portion of called up capital actually received from the shareholders.

Calls in arrears

It is the amount due from shareholders which remains unpaid in respect of allotment or any of the calls.

Paid-up capital =Called-up capital - Call-in-arrears.

Uncalled Capital

The portion of subscribed capital that has not yet been called-up.

Reserve Capital

It is the portion of uncalled capital reserved by the company to be called only in the event of winding up of the company.

These concepts can be expressed in terms of following equations

Authorized Share Capital = Issued Capital + Unissued Capital

Issued Capital = Subscribed Capital + Unsubscribed Capital

Subscribed Capital = Subscribed and Fully Paid+ Subscribed but not Fully Paid

(Subscribed Capital = Called-up Capital+ Uncalled Capital)

Called-up Capital = Paid-up Capital+ Calls-in-Arrears (Unpaid capital)

Uncalled Capital = Unreserved Capital+ Reserved Capital

Test Your Understanding - Share Capital 1