Answer:
a) Debit Retained Earnings with $139,500
Credit Dividends Payable Account: Preferred Stock $108,000
Credit Dividends Payable Account : Common Stock $31,500
Being Dividends declared on December 15, 2018.
b) Debit Dividends Payable Account: Preferred Stock $108,000
Debit Dividends Payable Account: Common Stock $31,500
Credit Cash Account $139,500
Being Cash payments for dividends on January 4, 2019.
NB: Common stock dividends = $0.75 of 42,000 common stock outstanding, i.e. $31,500.
Explanation:
Cash Dividends are declared by the Board of Directors as returns or distributions to shareholders from earnings. They are made for their investments in the company as a form of compensation.
When cash dividends are declared, the entries required are to reduce the amount of the retained earnings while creating a dividends payable account.
When the cash dividends are paid, the dividends payable account is debited and cash account is credited to show the effect of the settlement.