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What does debt servicing mean?

Writer James Rogers

Debt service is the cash that is required to cover the repayment of interest and principal on a debt for a particular period. The ability to service debt is a factor when a company needs to raise additional capital to operate the business.

What is debt servicing cost?

The cost of borrowing money that is due to the passage of time, the rate of interest and the amount outstanding during the reporting period (fiscal year), plus any fees associated with such financing arrangements.

Is debt servicing an expense?

Debt service is considered a current expense for your business. For income tax purposes, the interest on business loans (and payments for some capital leases) is considered a deductible business expense.

What is an example of debt servicing?

The amount of money required to make payments on the principal and interest on outstanding loans, the interest on bonds, or the principal of maturing bonds. An individual or company unable to make such payments is said to be “unable to service one’s debt.” An example of debt service is a monthly student loan payment.

How is debt service calculated?

The annual debt service is the simply the total amount of principal and interest payments made over a 12 month period. To calculate the debt service coverage ratio, simply divide the net operating income (NOI) by the annual debt.

Is debt service an expense?

What is included in total debt service?

Total debt service: This is just another word for the total amount of debt you pay each year. This would include your estimated new mortgage payment, property taxes, credit card bills, auto loans, student loans and any other payment you make each month. Businesses, of course, take on a wider range of debts each year.

What does it mean to have debt service?

The ability to service debt is a factor when a company needs to raise additional capital to operate the business. Debt service is the cash required to pay back the principal and interest of outstanding debt for a particular period of time.

How is the debt service ratio of a business calculated?

The debt service ratio is one way of calculating a business’s ability to repay its debt. It compares income to debt-related obligations. Bankers often calculate this ratio as part of their considerations of whether or not to approve a business loan .

Why is debt service considered a current expense?

Debt service is considered a current expense for your business. Putting debt service as an expense shows how it adds in with other expenses as compared to the income your business will be getting each month.

How does debt service affect your credit rating?

One of the major factors in repayment is the current debt being carried by the borrower. Your business credit rating will show this too, but many lenders have found debt service to be a reliable indicator of repayment potential. Banks and other lenders prefer that you list debt service separately on your income statement (P&L).