Another question regarding deferred tax

Hi guys

Sorry but I need your help with this question.

A dance club purchased new sound equipment for $25,352. The useful life is 5 years and has no salvage value.

Their tax rate is 41%, and their annual revenues are constant at $14,384.

For financial reporting, the straight-line depreciation method is used, but for tax purposes depreciation is accelerated to 35% in years 1 and 2 and 30% in Year 3.

Assume that the tax rate changes for years 4 and 5 from 41% to 31%.

What will be the deferred tax liability as of the end of year three

My method which didn’t yield me the right ans is as follows:

Y1 Y2 Y3 Y4 Y5 Tax base 16478.8 10711.22 7497.854 Carrying Value 20281.6 15211.2 10140.8 5070.4 0 Difference -3802.8 -4499.98 -2642.95 Tax rate 41% 41% 41% DTL -1559.148 -1844.99 -1083.61

Thus, from my working, I get a cumulative DTL of -1083.61 at the end of year 3.

The tax rate only changes in year 4 and 5. So why is the solution given as

Straight-line depreciation = $25,352 / 5 = $5,070. Income using straight-line depreciation = $14,384 − $5,070 = $9,314. Accelerated depreciation (years 1 and 2) = 0.35($25,352) = $8,873. Income (years 1 and 2) = $14,384 − $8,873 = $5,511. Accelerated depreciation (year 3) = 0.3($25,352) = $7,606. Income (year 3) = $14,384 − $7,606 = $6,778.

Deferred tax liability at the end of year three, after the change in the expected tax rate, will be $3,144:

DTL for year 1 = $1,178.93 = [($9,314 − $5,511)(0.31)]. DTL for year 2 = $1,178.93 = [($9,314 − $5,511)(0.31)]. DTL for year 3 = $786.16 = [($9,314 − $6,778)(0.31)] $1,178.93 + $1,178.93 + $786.16 = $3,144

WHY IS THE NEW TAX RATE USED TO CALCULATE DTL AT THE END OF YEAR 3 when TAX RATE ONLY CHANGES IN YEAR 4???

Thanks so much guys!

Howdy.

No need to apologize.

Because there is still a difference between the accumulated depreciation for financial purposes and for tax purposes, so there’s still a DTL. Furthermore, that DTL won’t be realized till year 4 when you have to pay those taxes, so you have to use the year 4 tax rate to determine the effect.

My pleasure.

Why revenue is involved ? No other expense besides depreciation expense ? If so, I think following way shall be easier !

25,352 x (1/5) x 3 - 25352 x (35%+35%+30%) = 3,144 (DTL)

[25,352 x (1/5) x 3 - 25,352 x (35%+35%+31%)] x 0.31 = 3,144 (DTL)

Hi Asuka

Thanks alot for this shorter method.

[25,352 x (1/5) x 3 - 25,352 x (35%+35%+31%)] x 0.31 = 3,144 (DTL)

Could I just confirm my understanding of your method?

So we take the (cumulative accounting depreciation - the cumulative tax depr ) X the new TR? This can only be used if no other expense other than depreciation is involved?

I tried to use the method (Tax Base - Carrying Value) X TR to solve. But I couldn’t get the ans. Can this method work for this question too?

Could you please explan? Thanks alot.

The difference in depreciation (accounting – tax) _ has to equal _ the difference in carrying value (tax – accounting); thus, you should get the same answer either way.