Question

Timm Inc., a calendar year, accrual basis taxpayer, is being sued by a customer who was injured when she tripped over a loose carpet in Timm's retail store. Timm's auditors required the corporation to accrue a $500,000 contingent liability and current year expense. Which of the following statements is true?
a. Timm can deduct the $500,000 accrued expense.
b. Timm can never deduct the $500,000 expense.
c. Timm can deduct the expense in the year in which the liability becomes fixed and determinable.
d. Timm can deduct the expense in the year of payment.

Answer 1

Answer: d. Timm can deduct the expense in the year of payment.

Explanation:

A Contingent Liability refers to a liability that a company MIGHT incur if a future event happens. It is mostly often used for law suits in case a company has to pay damages. They will thus accrue the expense in readiness to pay it off should the need ever arise.

While Timm will record it in the books, there is no need to deduct it from the income yet. Timm should wait until the year they will have to pay to deduct it. That way the expense will be correctly apportioned to it's corresponding period.