Expenditure that increases the dollar amount of fixed assets on the balance sheet. These outlays either increase the value of assets already owned or add additional assets. The payments increase the future benefit of an asset by extending the life of the asset, increasing quality, or increasing productivity. If the payment does this, then cost is recorded as an asset rather than as an expense. Capital expenditures don't reduce income all at once. Instead of the cost is allocated through depreciation expense over the time the asset is used to produce revenues.