Chapter 19 Accounting for Income Taxes

CHAPTER

19

191

ACCOUNTING FOR INCOME TAXES

This IFRS Supplement provides expanded discussions of accounting guidance under

International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) for the topics in Intermediate
Accounting. The discussions are organized according to the chapters in Intermediate
Accounting (13th or 14th Editions) and therefore can be used to supplement the U.S. GAAP
requirements as presented in the textbook. Assignment material is provided for each supplement chapter, which can be used to assess and reinforce student understanding of IFRS.

Deferred Tax Asset (Non-Recognition)

Companies recognize a deferred tax asset for all deductible temporary differences. However, based on available evidence, a company should reduce a deferred tax asset if it is
probable that it will not realize some portion or all of the deferred tax asset. Probable
means a level of likelihood of at least slightly more than 50 percent.
Assume that Jensen Co. has a deductible temporary difference of 1,000,000 at the end
of its first year of operations. Its tax rate is 40 percent, which means it records a deferred
tax asset of 400,000 (1,000,000 40%). Assuming 900,000 of income taxes payable, Jensen
records income tax expense, the deferred tax asset, and income tax payable as follows.
Income Tax Expense
Deferred Tax Asset
Income Tax Payable

500,000
400,000
900,000

After careful review of all available evidence, Jensen determines that it is probable
that it will not realize 100,000 of this deferred tax asset. Jensen records this reduction
in asset value as follows.
Income Tax Expense
Deferred Tax Asset

100,000
100,000

This journal entry increases income tax expense in the current period because Jensen
does not expect to realize a favorable tax benefit for a portion of the deductible
temporary difference. Jensen simultaneously recognizes a reduction in the carrying
amount of the deferred tax asset. Jensen then reports a deferred tax asset of 300,000
in its statement of financial position.
Jensen evaluates the deferred tax asset account at the end of each accounting period.
If, at the end of the next period, it expects to realize 350,000 of this deferred tax asset,
Jensen makes the following entry to adjust this account.
Deferred Tax Asset (350,000 300,000)
Income Tax Expense

50,000
50,000

Jensen should consider all available evidence, both positive and negative, to determine whether, based on the weight of available evidence, it needs to adjust the deferred
tax asset. For example, if Jensen has been experiencing a series of loss years, it reasonably assumes that these losses will continue. Therefore, Jensen will lose the benefit of
the future deductible amounts.
Generally, sufficient taxable income arises from temporary taxable differences that
will reverse in the future or from a tax-planning strategy that will generate taxable income in the future. Illustration 19-1 shows how Ahold (NLD) describes its reporting
of deferred assets.

Carryforward (Non-Recognition)
To illustrate non-recognition of a loss carryforward, assume that Groh Inc. has tax benefits of $110,000 associated with a NOL carryback and a potential deferred tax asset of
$80,000 associated with an operating loss carryforward of $200,000, assuming a future

U.S. GAAP
PERSPECTIVE
U.S. GAAP uses an
impairment approach for
deferred tax assets. In this
approach, the deferred tax
asset is recognized in full. It
is then reduced by a
valuation account if it is
more likely than not that all
or a portion of the deferred
tax asset will not be realized.

192

IFRS Supplement

ILLUSTRATION 19-1
Deferred Tax Asset
Disclosure

Ahold
Note 11. Significant judgment is required in determining whether deferred tax assets are realizable.
Ahold determines this on the basis of expected taxable profits arising from recognized deferred tax
liabilities and on the basis of budgets, cash flow forecasts, and impairment models. Where utilization
is not considered probable, deferred taxes are not recognized.

tax rate of 40% ($200,000 40%). However, if it is probable that Groh will not realize
the entire NOL carryforward in future years, it does not recognize this deferred tax
asset. To illustrate, Groh makes the following journal entry in 2010 to record only the
tax refund receivable.
To recognize benefit of loss carryback
Income Tax Refund Receivable
Benefit Due to Loss Carryback (Income Tax Expense)

110,000
110,000

Illustration 19-2 shows Grohs 2010 income statement presentation.

In 2011, assuming that Groh has taxable income of $250,000 (before considering the
carryforward), subject to a tax rate of 40 percent, it realizes the deferred tax asset. Groh
records the following entries.
ILLUSTRATION 19-2
Recognition of Benefit of
Loss Carryback Only

GROH INC.
INCOME STATEMENT (PARTIAL) FOR 2010
Operating loss before income taxes
Income tax benefit
Benefit due to loss carryback

$(500,000)

Net loss

$(390,000)

110,000

To recognize deferred tax asset and loss carryforward

Deferred Tax Asset
Benefit Due to Loss Carryforward (Income Tax Expense)

80,000
80,000

To record current and deferred income taxes

Income Tax Expense
Deferred Tax Asset
Income Tax Payable

100,000
80,000
20,000

Groh reports the $80,000 Benefit Due to the Loss Carryforward on the 2011 income
statement. The company did not recognize it in 2010 because it was probable that it
would not be realized. Assuming that Groh derives the income for 2011 from continuing operations, it prepares the income statement as shown in Illustration 19-3.
ILLUSTRATION 19-3
Recognition of Benefit of
Loss Carryforward When
Realized

GROH INC.
INCOME STATEMENT (PARTIAL) FOR 2011
Income before income taxes
Income tax expense
Current
Deferred
Benefit due to loss carryforward
Net income

$250,000
$ 20,000
80,000
(80,000)

20,000
$230,000

Chapter 19 Accounting for Income Taxes

193

Another method is to report only one line for total income tax expense of $20,000
on the face of the income statement and disclose the components of income tax expense
in the notes to the financial statements.

Revision of Future Tax Rates

When a change in the tax rate is enacted, companies should record its effect on the
existing deferred income tax accounts immediately. A company reports the effect as
an adjustment to income tax expense in the period of the change.
Assume that on December 10, 2010, a new income tax act is signed into law that
lowers the corporate tax rate from 40 percent to 35 percent, effective January 1, 2012.
If Hostel Co. has one temporary difference at the beginning of 2010 related to $3 million
of excess tax depreciation, then it has a Deferred Tax Liability account with a balance
of $1,200,000 ($3,000,000 40%) at January 1, 2010. If taxable amounts related to this
difference are scheduled to occur equally in 2011, 2012, and 2013, the deferred tax liability
at the end of 2010 is $1,100,000, computed as follows.
2011

2012

2013

Total

Future taxable amounts

Tax rate

$1,000,000
40%

$1,000,000
35%

$1,000,000
35%

$3,000,000

Deferred tax liability

$ 400,000

$ 350,000

$ 350,000

$1,100,000

Hostel, therefore, recognizes the decrease of $100,000 ($1,200,000 $1,100,000) at

the end of 2010 in the deferred tax liability as follows.
Deferred Tax Liability
Income Tax Expense

100,000
100,000

Corporate tax rates do not change often. Therefore, companies usually employ the
current rate. However, tax rates in some jurisdictions change more frequently, and they
require adjustments in deferred income taxes accordingly.1

Statement of Financial Position

Companies classify taxes receivable or payable as current assets or current liabilities.
Although current tax assets and liabilities are separately recognized and measured, they
are often offset in the statement of financial position. The offset occurs because companies normally have a legally enforceable right to set off a current tax asset (Taxes
Receivable) against a current tax liability (Taxes Payable) when they relate to income
taxes levied by the same taxation authority. [1] Deferred tax assets and deferred tax
liabilities are also separately recognized and measured but may be offset in the statement of financial position.2 The net deferred tax asset or net deferred tax liability is reported in the non-current section of the statement of financial position.3
1
Tax rate changes nearly always will substantially impact income numbers and the reporting
of deferred income taxes on the statement of financial position. As a result, you can expect
to hear an economic consequences argument every time that a legislature decides to change
the tax rates. For example, when one country raised the corporate rate from 34 percent to
35 percent, companies took an additional hit to earnings if they were in a deferred tax
liability position.

2
Companies are permitted to offset deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities if, and
only if: (1) the company has a legally enforceable right to set off current tax assets against
current tax liabilities; and (2) the deferred tax assets and the deferred tax liabilities relate
to income taxes levied by the same tax authority and for the same company. [2]
3

Deferred tax amounts should not be discounted. The IASB apparently considers discounting
to be an unnecessary complication even if the effects are material. [3]

U.S. GAAP
PERSPECTIVE
For U.S. GAAP, the enacted
tax rate must be used. IFRS
uses the enacted tax rate or
substantially enacted tax rate
(substantially enacted
means virtually certain).

ILLUSTRATION 19-4
Schedule of Future
Taxable Amounts and
Related Tax Rates

194

IFRS Supplement
To illustrate, assume that K. Scott Company has four deferred tax items at December 31, 2011, as shown in Illustration 19-5.

ILLUSTRATION 19-5
Classification of
Temporary Differences

Resulting
Deferred Tax
Temporary Difference
1. Rent collected in advance: recognized when
earned for accounting purposes and when
received for tax purposes.
2. Use of straight-line depreciation for accounting
purposes and accelerated depreciation for tax purposes.
3. Recognition of profits on installment sales during
period of sale for accounting purposes and during
period of collection for tax purposes.
4. Warranty liabilities: recognized for accounting purposes
at time of sale; for tax purposes at time paid.

U.S. GAAP
PERSPECTIVE
U.S. GAAP classifies deferred
taxes based on the
classification of the asset or
liability to which it relates.
The classification of deferred
taxes under IFRS is always
non-current.

Totals

(Asset)

Liability

$(42,000)
$214,000

45,000
(12,000)
$(54,000)

$259,000

As indicated, K. Scott has a total deferred tax asset of $54,000 and a total deferred
tax liability of $259,000. Assuming these two items can be offset, K. Scott reports a deferred tax liability of $205,000 ($259,000 $54,000) in the non-current liability section
of its statement of financial position.

Tax Reconciliation
Another important disclosure is the reconciliation between actual tax expense and the
applicable tax rate. Companies either provide:
A numerical reconciliation between tax expense (benefit) and the product of
accounting profit multiplied by the applicable tax rate(s), disclosing also the basis
on which the applicable tax rate(s) is (are) computed; or
A numerical reconciliation between the average effective tax rate and the applicable tax rate, disclosing also the basis on which the applicable tax rate is computed.
In explaining the relationship between tax expense (benefit) and accounting income,
companies use an applicable tax rate that provides the most meaningful information
to the users of its financial statements.4

AUTHORITATIVE LITERATURE
Authoritative Literature References
[1] International Accounting Standard 12, Income Taxes (London, U.K.: International Accounting Standards
Committee Foundation, 2001), par. 72.
[2] International Accounting Standard 12, Income Taxes (London, U.K.: International Accounting Standards
Committee Foundation, 2001), par. 74.
[3] International Accounting Standard 12, Income Taxes (London, U.K.: International Accounting Standards
Committee Foundation, 2001), paras. 5354.
4

Often, the most meaningful rate is the domestic rate of tax in the country in which the
company is located, aggregating the tax rate applied for national taxes, with the rates
applied for any local taxes, which are computed on a substantially similar level of taxable
profit (tax loss). However, for a company operating in several jurisdictions, it may be more
meaningful to aggregate separate reconciliations prepared using the domestic rate in each
individual jurisdiction.

Chapter 19 Accounting for Income Taxes

195

QUESTIONS
1. What is the difference between a future taxable amount and
a future deductible amount? When is it not appropriate to
recognize a portion or all of a deferred tax asset?

3. Describe the procedure(s) involved in classifying deferred

tax amounts on the statement of financial position.

2. How are deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities

reported on the statement of financial position?

BRIEF EXERCISES
BE19-1 At December 31, 2010, Hillyard Corporation has a deferred tax asset of $200,000. After a careful
review of all available evidence, it is determined that it is probable that $60,000 of this deferred tax asset
will not be realized. Prepare the necessary journal entry.
BE19-2 Rode Inc. incurred a net operating loss of 500,000 in 2010. Combined income for 2008 and 2009
was 350,000. The tax rate for all years is 40%. Rode elects the carryback option. Prepare the journal entries
to record the benefits of the loss carryback and the loss carryforward.
BE19-3 Use the information for Rode Inc. given in BE19-2. Assume that it is probable that the entire net
operating loss carryforward will not be realized in future years. Prepare the journal entry(ies) necessary
at the end of 2010.
BE19-4 Youngman Corporation has temporary differences at December 31, 2010, that result in the following deferred taxes.
Deferred tax asset
Deferred tax liability

$24,000
$69,000

Indicate how these balances would be presented in Youngmans December 31, 2010, statement of financial position.

EXERCISES
E19-1 (Three Differences, Classify Deferred Taxes) At December 31, 2010, Cascade Company had
a net deferred tax liability of $450,000. An explanation of the items that compose this balance is as
follows.
Temporary Differences
1. Excess of tax depreciation over book depreciation
2. Accrual, for book purposes, of estimated loss contingency from
pending lawsuit that is expected to be settled in 2011. The loss will
be deducted on the tax return when paid.
3. Accrual method used for book purposes and installment method
used for tax purposes for an isolated installment sale of an
investment.

Resulting Balances
in Deferred Taxes
$200,000

(50,000)

300,000
$450,000

In analyzing the temporary differences, you find that $30,000 of the depreciation temporary difference
will reverse in 2011, and $120,000 of the temporary difference due to the installment sale will reverse in
2011. The tax rate for all years is 40%.
Instructions
Indicate the manner in which deferred taxes should be presented on Cascade Companys December 31,
2010, statement of financial position.

196

IFRS Supplement
E19-2 (Deferred Tax Asset) Callaway Corp. has a deferred tax asset account with a balance of $150,000
at the end of 2010 due to a single cumulative temporary difference of $375,000. At the end of 2011, this
same temporary difference has increased to a cumulative amount of $500,000. Taxable income for 2011 is
$850,000. The tax rate is 40% for all years.
Instructions
(a) Record income tax expense, deferred income taxes, and income taxes payable for 2011, assuming
that it is probable that the deferred tax asset will be realized.
(b) Assuming that it is probable that $30,000 of the deferred tax asset will not be realized, prepare the
journal entry at the end of 2011 to recognize this probability.
E19-3

(Deferred Tax Asset)

Assume the same information as in E19-2 for Callaway Corp.

Instructions
(a) Record income tax expense, deferred income taxes, and income taxes payable for 2011, assuming
that it is probable that $20,000 of the deferred tax asset will be realized in full.
(b) Record income tax expense, deferred income taxes, and income taxes payable for 2011, assuming
that it is probable that none of the deferred tax asset will be realized.
E19-4 (NOL Carryback and Carryforward, Recognition versus Non-Recognition) Sondgeroth Inc.
reports the following pretax income (loss) for both financial reporting purposes and tax purposes. (Assume
the carryback provision is used for a net operating loss.)
Year

Pretax Income (Loss)

Tax Rate

2009
2010
2011
2012

110,000
90,000
(260,000)
220,000

34%
34%
38%
38%

The tax rates listed were all enacted by the beginning of 2009.
Instructions
(a) Prepare the journal entries for the years 20092012 to record income tax expense (benefit) and
income tax payable (refundable) and the tax effects of the loss carryback and carryforward,
assuming that at the end of 2011 it is probable that the benefits of the loss carryforward will be
realized in the future.
(b) Using the assumption in (a), prepare the income tax section of the 2011 income statement, beginning with the line Operating loss before income taxes.
(c) Prepare the journal entries for 2011 and 2012, assuming that based on the weight of available
evidence, it is probable that one-fourth of the benefits of the loss carryforward will not be realized.
(d) Using the assumption in (c), prepare the income tax section of the 2011 income statement, beginning with the line Operating loss before income taxes.
E19-5 (NOL Carryback and Carryforward, Non-Recognition) Nielson Inc. reports the following pretax income (loss) for both book and tax purposes. (Assume the carryback provision is used where possible for a net operating loss.)
Year

Pretax Income (Loss)

Tax Rate

2009
2010
2011
2012

100,000
90,000
(240,000)
120,000

40%
40%
45%
45%

The tax rates listed were all enacted by the beginning of 2009.
Instructions
(a) Prepare the journal entries for years 20092012 to record income tax expense (benefit) and income
tax payable (refundable), and the tax effects of the loss carryback and loss carryforward, assuming that based on the weight of available evidence it is probable that one-half of the benefits of
the loss carryforward will not be realized.
(b) Prepare the income tax section of the 2011 income statement, beginning with the line Operating
loss before income taxes.
(c) Prepare the income tax section of the 2012 income statement, beginning with the line Income
before income taxes.

Chapter 19 Accounting for Income Taxes

USING YOUR JUDGMENT

FI NANCIAL REPORTI NG
Financial Reporting Problem
ki

The financial statements of M&S can be accessed at the books companion website, www.wiley.com/
college/kiesoifrs.

Instructions

.w

ww

/co

llege

Marks and Spencer plc (M&S)

esoifrs

Refer to M&Ss financial statements and the accompanying notes to answer the following questions.
(a) What amounts relative to income taxes does M&S report in its:
(1) 2008 income statement?
(2) 29 March 2008 balance sheet?
(3) 2008 statement of cash flows?
(b) M&Ss provision for income taxes in 2007 and 2008 was computed at what effective tax rates? (See
the notes to the financial statements.)
(c) How much of M&Ss 2008 total provision for income taxes was current tax expense, and how much
was deferred tax expense?
(d) What did M&S report as the significant components (the details) of its 29 March, 2008 deferred tax
assets and liabilities?

BRI DGE TO TH E PROFESSION

Professional Research
Kleckner Company started operations in 2007, and although it has grown steadily, the company reported
accumulated operating losses of $450,000 in its first four years in business. In the most recent year (2011),
Kleckner appears to have turned the corner and reported modest taxable income of $30,000. In addition
to a deferred tax asset related to its net operating loss, Kleckner has recorded a deferred tax asset related
to product warranties and a deferred tax liability related to accelerated depreciation.
Given its past operating results, Kleckner has determined that it is not probable that it will realize
any of the deferred tax assets. However, given its improved performance, Kleckner management wonders whether there are any accounting consequences for its deferred tax assets. They would like you to
conduct some research on the accounting for recognition of its deferred tax asset.

Instructions
Access the IFRS authoritative literature at the IASB website (http://eifrs.iasb.org/ ). When you have accessed
the documents, you can use the search tool in your Internet browser to respond to the following questions. (Provide paragraph citations.)
(a) Briefly explain to Kleckner management the importance of future taxable income as it relates to the
recognition of deferred tax assets.
(b) What are the sources of income that may be relied upon in assessing realization of a deferred tax asset?
(c) What are tax-planning strategies? From the information provided, does it appear that Kleckner could
employ a tax-planning strategy in evaluating its deferred tax asset?

197

i l e y. c o