Tax Terms and Definitions5 min
Understanding income taxes requires distinguishing between financial reporting terminology and tax return terminology. Taxable income is the income upon which the tax burden is calculated for the tax authorities, resulting in 'taxes payable' or current tax liability. Accounting profit, or pretax income, is the figure reported on the income statement before tax. Income tax expense is the accounting figure that reflects both the current taxes payable and the deferred tax consequences of the period's activities. The relationship is defined as: Income Tax Expense = Taxes Payable + Change in DTL - Change in DTA. A tax loss carryforward allows a firm to use current losses to reduce future taxable income, creating a deferred tax asset.

Key Points

  • Taxable income determines taxes payable.
  • Accounting profit is pretax income on the financial statements.
  • Income tax expense includes current and deferred components.
  • Tax loss carryforwards create deferred tax assets.
Deferred Tax Liabilities and Assets8 min
Deferred tax items arise from temporary differences between the tax base and carrying value of assets and liabilities. A Deferred Tax Liability (DTL) represents future tax payments and arises when revenues are recognized earlier for financial reporting than for tax, or expenses are recognized earlier for tax than for financial reporting (e.g., accelerated depreciation). A Deferred Tax Asset (DTA) represents future tax savings and arises when revenues are taxed before being recognized in financial reports (e.g., unearned revenue), or expenses are recognized in financial reports before they are deductible for tax (e.g., warranty accruals). The tax base of an asset is the amount deductible in the future; the tax base of a liability is its carrying value less future deductible amounts.

Key Points

  • DTL created when Asset Carrying Value > Tax Base.
  • DTA created when Asset Carrying Value < Tax Base.
  • DTA created when Liability Carrying Value > Tax Base (for revenue received in advance).
  • DTLs lead to future cash outflows; DTAs lead to future tax savings.
Calculations and Changes in Tax Rates7 min
To calculate deferred taxes, an analyst determines the temporary difference between the carrying value and tax base and multiplies it by the applicable tax rate. When the statutory tax rate changes, the balance sheet amounts of DTAs and DTLs must be revalued at the new rate. An increase in the tax rate increases both DTLs and DTAs. The increase in a DTL increases tax expense, while the increase in a DTA decreases tax expense. Conversely, a lower tax rate decreases DTLs (lowering expense) and decreases DTAs (increasing expense). Permanent differences, such as tax-exempt income, do not result in deferred taxes but affect the effective tax rate.

Key Points

  • DTL/DTA Balance = (Carrying Value - Tax Base) * Tax Rate.
  • Tax rate changes affect DTA/DTL values and current income tax expense.
  • Permanent differences affect the effective tax rate but create no DTA/DTL.
  • Effective tax rate = Income Tax Expense / Pretax Income.
Valuation Allowance and IFRS/GAAP Differences6 min
A valuation allowance is required under U.S. GAAP if it is more likely than not that some portion of a DTA will not be realized. This contra account reduces the reported DTA and increases income tax expense. Management discretion in estimating the valuation allowance can be used to manage earnings. While IFRS and U.S. GAAP are similar, differences exist: IFRS allows revaluation of fixed assets (affecting equity and deferred taxes), uses 'substantively enacted' tax rates, and has different presentation rules for netting deferred tax items compared to U.S. GAAP, which relies on 'enacted' rates and prohibits fixed asset revaluation.

Key Points

  • Valuation allowance reduces DTA if realization is uncertain.
  • Increasing valuation allowance reduces net income.
  • IFRS allows 'substantively enacted' rates; GAAP requires 'enacted' rates.
  • IFRS recognizes deferred taxes on revaluation of equity; GAAP does not allow revaluation.

Questions

Question 1

Which of the following terms best describes the net amount of an asset or liability used for tax reporting purposes?

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Question 2

Income tax expense reported on the income statement is equal to taxes payable plus which of the following?

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Question 3

A deferred tax liability is most likely created when:

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Question 4

Which of the following items typically results in the creation of a deferred tax asset?

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Question 5

A permanent difference between taxable income and pretax income:

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Question 6

An asset has a carrying value of $100,000 and a tax base of $80,000. The tax rate is 30 percent. This situation creates a:

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Question 7

At year-end, a firm has a warranty liability with a carrying value of $5,000. Warranty expense is not deductible for tax purposes until paid. The tax base of this liability is:

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Question 8

A firm receives $10,000 in advance for services. This amount is taxed immediately but recognized as revenue next year. The tax rate is 25 percent. This creates a:

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Question 9

If a company uses the straight-line depreciation method for financial reporting and an accelerated method for tax reporting, in the early years of the asset's life, this will most likely result in:

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Question 10

For a liability, if the carrying value is greater than the tax base, this typically results in:

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Question 11

When the income tax rate increases, the balance of a deferred tax liability will:

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Question 12

A firm has a deferred tax asset of $10,000 resulting from a tax rate of 25 percent. If the tax rate decreases to 20 percent, the adjustment to the deferred tax asset will result in:

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Question 13

If a company has a deferred tax liability and the tax rate increases, the adjustment to the liability on the balance sheet will be:

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Question 14

Which of the following creates a permanent difference?

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Question 15

The statutory tax rate is 35 percent. A firm has taxable income of $100,000 and tax-exempt municipal bond interest of $10,000. The effective tax rate is closest to:

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Question 16

Under U.S. GAAP, a valuation allowance is required for a deferred tax asset if:

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Question 17

An increase in the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets will result in:

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Question 18

When comparing IFRS and U.S. GAAP regarding income taxes, which of the following is accurate?

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Question 19

Under IFRS, deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using:

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Question 20

A firm has an asset with a carrying value of $200,000 and a tax base of $150,000. The tax rate is 25 percent. The firm reports a deferred tax liability of:

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Question 21

Taxable income is defined as:

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Question 22

Accounting profit is also known as:

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Question 23

If a firm has taxable losses in excess of its taxable income, it can create a:

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Question 24

Which of the following would be classified as a permanent difference?

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Question 25

If deferred tax liabilities are not expected to reverse in the future, an analyst should typically treat them as:

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Question 26

A firm has a deferred tax liability of $40,000 at the beginning of the year. At the end of the year, the liability is $50,000. Taxes payable for the year are $80,000. Income tax expense is:

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Question 27

Which of the following best describes the tax base of an asset?

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Question 28

Research and development costs expensed on the income statement but capitalized for tax purposes create:

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Question 29

A firm sells an asset for $100,000. The carrying value is $90,000 and the tax base is $80,000. What is the effect on the deferred tax liability related to this asset?

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Question 30

If a firm has a net deferred tax asset position, a decrease in the corporate tax rate will:

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Question 31

For analytical purposes, if a deferred tax liability is expected to increase indefinitely due to growth in capital expenditures, it should be treated as:

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Question 32

A valuation allowance is a contra account that reduces the value of:

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Question 33

Under IFRS, the deferred tax liability resulting from an upward revaluation of fixed assets is recognized in:

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Question 33

Under IFRS, deferred tax assets and liabilities are classified on the balance sheet as:

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Question 34

The statutory tax rate is:

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Question 35

An effective tax rate lower than the statutory tax rate is most likely caused by:

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Question 36

Which of the following is required to be disclosed regarding deferred taxes?

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Question 37

A reduction in the valuation allowance will result in:

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Question 38

If a firm has a deferred tax liability of $50,000 and a deferred tax asset of $20,000, and the tax rate decreases, the impact on equity is:

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Question 39

A firm records $100,000 of warranty expense in its financial statements. Actual warranty payments were $20,000. The tax rate is 40%. The increase in the deferred tax asset is:

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Question 40

Deferred tax liability arising from an investment in a subsidiary is:

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Question 41

A temporary difference results in a deferred tax asset if:

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Question 42

Which of the following creates a temporary difference?

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Question 43

If a firm recognizes a valuation allowance of $500 against a deferred tax asset of $2,000, the net deferred tax asset reported is:

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Question 44

A decrease in the tax rate would result in a decrease in which of the following?

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Question 45

Income tax paid is defined as:

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Question 46

A firm has an effective tax rate of 40% and a statutory rate of 35%. This is most likely due to:

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Question 47

Regarding the classification of cash flows, IFRS allows interest paid to be classified as:

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Question 48

The term 'tax loss carryforward' refers to:

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Question 49

Deferred tax items for a firm reporting under U.S. GAAP are typically:

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Question 50

If a firm uses LIFO for U.S. GAAP financial statements, it must:

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