---
sourceDocument: Australia IT Service Management
sourceDocumentLink: https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/r/it-service-management

 Release :

    - australia

ft:locale :

    - en-US

ft:publication_title :

    - Australia IT Service Management

ft:clusterId :

    - itsm

bundleId :

    - itsm

workflow :

    - Technology


---

# Generating expense lines based on assets or users

# Generating expense lines based on assets or users {#ariaid-title1}

Release version: Australia  
Updated March 12, 2026  
![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 1 minute to read  
An expense line is an expense amount at a given point in time and the record that
incurred or generated the expense. You can generate expense lines based on assets or users
assigned to the contract.

## Before you begin

Role required: financial_mgmt_user, asset, or contract_manager

## About this task

Generating expense lines is a three-step procedure.

## Procedure

1. [Add a user or asset to a contract](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/xt2EKws4RnuQHnUWinvk0Q)  
   You can add a user or asset to a contract to generate expense lines.
2. [Create a rate card and assign a user or asset](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/nIvmFKpicxktUyGbxeKVDQ)  
   You can assign a user or asset when you create a rate card. You can only assign the user or asset that is assigned to the contract.
3. [Configure rate card expense generation](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/GdQ49co6RiT3e0_SL3NpAw)  
   After assets or users are added to the rate card, you can use the Distribute cost field in the Financial section of the contract to generate rate card expenses.

**Related tasks**   

* [Create a new expense line](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/VTyT7I1nYQLTddKgIHgHgA "Typically, expense lines are automatically generated based on assets or users, but you can create a new expense line manually if needed.")
* [View contract expense lines](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/ahmQqBcpuzgcEZ8wVgkOfQ "Use the Expense Lines related list or tab to view and audit all the expenses recorded for a given contract.")  
**Related reference**   

* [Contract Rate Card form](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/wBv3FzDH8jvEhVUm5nVxhg "The Contract rate card form enables you to generate expense lines for recurring expenses automatically by providing detailed price information for a contract. There can be multiple rate cards for the same contract.")