NOTE 12 — UNEARNED REVENUE

Unearned revenue by segment was as follows:

 

(In millions)

 

 

 

 

June 30,

2025

2024

 

 

Productivity and Business Processes

 

$

50,567

$

43,599

Intelligent Cloud

14,022

13,683

More Personal Computing

2,676

 

2,902

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

$

67,265

$

60,184

 

 

 

We have recast certain prior period amounts to conform to the way we internally manage and monitor our business. Refer to Note 1 – Accounting Policies for further information.

Changes in unearned revenue were as follows:

 

(In millions)

 

 

 

 

 

Year Ended June 30, 2025

 

 

 

Balance, beginning of period

 

$

60,184

Deferral of revenue

 

186,957

Recognition of unearned revenue

 

(179,876

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, end of period

 

$

67,265

 

 

 

 

Revenue allocated to remaining performance obligations, which includes unearned revenue and amounts that will be invoiced and recognized as revenue in future periods, was $375 billion as of June 30, 2025, of which $368 billion is related to the commercial portion of revenue. We expect to recognize approximately 40% of our total company remaining performance obligation revenue over the next 12 months and the remainder thereafter.

Historical Timeline

Fiscal YearFiled
2025Jul 30, 2025Showing above
2024Jul 30, 2024
2023Jul 27, 2023
2022Jul 28, 2022
2021Jul 29, 2021
2020Jul 30, 2020
2019Aug 1, 2019
2018Aug 3, 2018
2017Aug 2, 2017
2016Jul 28, 2016

About Revenue Disclosures

Revenue disclosures under ASC 606 explain how a company identifies performance obligations, allocates transaction prices, and determines when revenue is recognized. This section is essential for understanding whether reported revenue reflects genuine economic activity or aggressive accounting choices. Analysts examine the mix of point-in-time versus over-time recognition, which directly affects revenue timing and comparability.

Key signals: rising contract liabilities (deferred revenue) suggest strong future revenue visibility, while declining contract assets may indicate slowing project milestones. Watch for variable consideration estimates — rebates, returns, and performance bonuses that require management judgment. Significant changes in disaggregated revenue by geography or product line can reveal shifting business mix before it appears in headline numbers. Compare revenue growth against contract liability growth to assess sustainability, and scrutinize any changes in the timing of recognition that coincide with earnings pressure.