What is the term for non-cash expenses that allocate the cost of intangible assets?

The term that refers to non-cash expenses which allocate the cost of intangible assets is amortization.

Amortization is specifically used for intangible assets such as patents, trademarks, and copyrights, which cannot be physically touched or measured like tangible assets. This process spreads the cost of the intangible asset over its useful life in a systematic manner, affecting the financial statements by reducing the reported earnings.

In contrast, depreciation applies to tangible assets, like machinery or buildings, while depletion is used for natural resources, such as minerals or oil. Accruals relate to the matching principle in accounting, where revenues and expenses are recorded when they are earned or incurred, rather than when cash is exchanged. Thus, amortization is the appropriate term for the systematic allocation of the cost of intangible assets.