The current portion of long-term debt should be:

• A. Excluded from the balance sheet
• B. Reported as a current liability on the balance sheet
• C. Reported as an equity item
• D. Reported as a non-current liability on the balance sheet

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of 'current portion of long-term debt': This refers to the portion of a company's long-term debt that is due within the next 12 months. It is important to classify this correctly on the balance sheet.
2. Review the classification of liabilities: Liabilities are divided into current liabilities (due within one year) and non-current liabilities (due after one year). The current portion of long-term debt falls under current liabilities because it is payable within the next year.
3. Analyze the options provided: Excluding the current portion of long-term debt from the balance sheet is incorrect because all liabilities must be reported. Reporting it as an equity item is also incorrect because it is not related to ownership. Reporting it as a non-current liability is incorrect because it is due within one year.
4. Determine the correct classification: The current portion of long-term debt should be reported as a current liability on the balance sheet because it represents an obligation that the company must settle within the next 12 months.
5. Apply this understanding to financial statements: When preparing or analyzing a balance sheet, ensure that the current portion of long-term debt is listed under current liabilities, separate from the non-current portion of the debt.