## GFS Notice of Decision 1.11 Identifying, Valuing and Reporting Government Data Assets

## Source details

**Canonical URL:** [GFS Notice of Decision 1.11 Identifying, Valuing and Reporting Government Data Assets](https://www.imf.org/-/media/files/data/statistics/gfsm/global-consultations/research-projects/notice-of-decision-gfsm-2014-update-111-identifying-valuing-and-reporting-government-data-assets.pdf)

## Other formats

- [Markdown version](/-/media/files/data/statistics/gfsm/global-consultations/research-projects/notice-of-decision-gfsm-2014-update-111-identifying-valuing-and-reporting-government-data-assets.pdf.md)
- [Structured JSON version](/-/media/files/data/statistics/gfsm/global-consultations/research-projects/notice-of-decision-gfsm-2014-update-111-identifying-valuing-and-reporting-government-data-assets.pdf.json)

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### Decision summary
- The asset boundary in the GFSM 2014 will be expanded to include data as an asset and recorded as (produced) fixed asset.
- Data assets will include those that are intended for repeated or continuous use for a period greater than one year, regardless whether they are produced on an own-account basis or purchased from the market.
- Spending on data that are intended for use for one year or less will continue to be recorded as use of goods and services expense.

### Valuation and recording of data assets
- Data assets produced on an own-account basis will be valued using the sum of costs approach.
- Under the sum of costs approach, compensation of employees (remuneration of employees), use of goods and services and consumption of fixed capital (depreciation) incurred during own-account capital formation of the data asset should be excluded from expense and recorded as a component of the cost of the acquisition of the data asset (produced fixed asset).

### Scope, classification, and timing issues to be addressed
- Data intended for repeated or continuous use for a period greater than one year are classified as produced fixed assets.
- Data intended for use for one year or less remain recorded as use of goods and services expense.
- The final language used in the updated GFSM will be subject to review during the manual drafting phase to ensure consistency throughout the updated GFSM.

### Research project: delineation and treatment issues
- A separate research project will be initiated to delineate between government data assets and other government administrative information which does not meet the definition of an asset.
- The research project will also consider:
  - how to identify economic ownership of data assets,
  - the practical application of the sum of costs approach, and
  - the distinction between capital and maintenance of data assets.

### Consultations and meetings
- Global Consultations: March 2025 (GFS).
- SNA Consultations: October 2022; May 2022.
- Discussions at the AEG/BOPCOM meetings: AEG: October 2024; July 2024; October 2023; March 2023; July 2022; April/May 2022; April 2021; October 2020; October 2019.

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_Source: https://www.imf.org/-/media/files/data/statistics/gfsm/global-consultations/research-projects/notice-of-decision-gfsm-2014-update-111-identifying-valuing-and-reporting-government-data-assets.pdf_