📝 Deferred Tax Assets MCQ — Intermediate Accounting
Watch on YouTubeVideo summary
The video addresses a multiple-choice question regarding deferred tax accounting at year-end where the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its tax basis. The core issue is determining whether this difference creates a deferred tax asset or liability, noting that since it arises from differences in book and tax bases rather than permanent items, it must be classified as either one. In this specific scenario, the speaker illustrates a situation with 80,000 in carrying amount versus 60,000 in tax basis, creating a gap of 20,000 where the asset's book value is higher due to prior depreciation expenses already taken for financial reporting purposes but not yet deducted on taxes.
The logic behind classifying this difference as a deferred tax liability stems from the fact that the company has effectively "used up" part of its future deductibility by taking extra depreciation in previous years. Because these additional deductions have already been expensed, they will not be available to reduce taxable income in the future; consequently, when the asset is fully depreciated for book purposes but still retains a tax basis, or simply because current taxes are higher than what would be based on financial reporting profits alone, the entity owes more taxes later. This obligation represents a deferred tax liability since the company will pay additional cash to the tax authorities in future periods compared to its accounting income expectations.
Conversely, if the situation were reversed such that the carrying amount was less than the tax basis, it would indicate an asset with remaining book value but higher potential for future tax deductions. In this alternative case, the entity could deduct more depreciation on its taxes in the future than what is recorded as expense on its books, leading to lower taxable income and a resulting deferred tax asset that provides future economic benefits through tax savings. The speaker emphasizes understanding which direction of the gap exists between book value and tax basis, as this dictates whether the temporary difference results in an asset or liability for financial reporting purposes.
The lesson concludes by encouraging students preparing for accounting certifications like the CPA exam to invest in their own education using available resources such as simulations, exercises, and AI tools provided on Farhat Lectures' platform. The speaker highlights that mastering these concepts is crucial not just for answering multiple-choice questions correctly but also for understanding how temporary differences evolve over time due to changes in carrying amounts and tax bases. By utilizing comprehensive study materials including previously released AICPA questions and podcasts, learners can better prepare themselves with the necessary guidance to succeed on their exams while avoiding common pitfalls related to deferred tax classifications.
Read the full video transcript
Let's take a look at this multiple
choice question from farhatlectures.com.
At year end, the carrying amount of an
asset exceeds its tax basis. This
difference gives rise to what? Now, I'm
giving this question on purpose.
Uh is it a deferred tax asset? Is it a
deferred tax liability? Is it a
permanent permanent difference requiring
no deferred tax accounting?
Is it there's no difference? First of
all, there is a difference. I'm telling
you there's a difference. The carrying
amount of an asset exceeds its book
basis. So, we can take out the
Also, you are not told this is a
this is a permanent difference.
It means it's temporary. Therefore,
we'll take it out. So, I have to decide
whether this is a deferred tax asset or
a deferred tax liability. Now, the
purpose I have this question in this
lesson because in this lesson I covered
deferred tax asset. But, you need to
know whether this is a deferred tax
asset or a deferred tax liability
because
those differences happen because of the
changes in the carrying and the tax
bases, the carrying amount and the tax
bases. Now, I have an asset.
And here's what I have. The carrying
amount is greater. So, gap just gap, I
have 80,000 as a book value for tax, I
have 60,000. So, gap is greater. How
much is it greater by? 20,000.
If my
my gap is greater, what does that mean?
It means this asset was already reduced
by an additional 20,000.
And because it was reduced, what did I
do with that reduction?
What happened to asset? Asset are
expense. So, I already took more ex more
ex more expenses on this asset. I took
more expenses in form of
depreciation. So, if I took that
depreciation expense in the past, I will
not have it in the future. And because I
don't have it in the future, my tax bill
will be higher because my tax bill will
be higher, I have a deferred tax
liability. So, the trick here, I gave
you this question after I explained
deferred tax asset.
But, the answer is deferred tax
liability. Now,
if it says the carrying amount of an
asset less
to its book basis. So, if we switch
this, if the
gap was 60
and tax was 80, it means I have an
additional 20,000
of asset that I I'm going to deduct in
form of depreciation in the future. When
I deduct it, I will have more tax saving
and I will have a deferred tax asset.
All right, good.
Now, what should you do? Whether you are
a CPA, CMA, accounting student, the best
investment you can make is invest in
yourself. Farhat lectures, you'll have
additional resources, lectures,
simulations, exercises, cases, multiple
choice, AI, quiz AI that will help you
answer the questions, create a similar
MCQ to help you practice.
Invest in yourself and God bless.
>> Want to see more CPA exam multiple
choice questions [music]
solved step-by-step?
At farhatlectures.com,
you will get hundreds of video solved
MCQs step-by-step, including previously
released AICPA questions, previously
released AICPA [music] simulation.
In-depth lectures and resources to
prepare for the CPA exam.
AI tools that's going to help you study
smarter, not harder.
CPA exam podcast lessons [music] where
you can learn on the go.
And also, you will get the personal
guidance and support of Farhat and his
team. If you are serious about passing
the CPA exam, this is your next step.
Visit the website, farhatlectures.com,
start your free trial, and I hope to see
you on the website.