Question

During Year 5, Tedd Co. became involved in a tax dispute with the IRS. At December 31, Year 5, Tedd's tax advisor believed that an unfavorable outcome was probable. A reasonable estimate of additional taxes was $400,000 but could be as much as $600,000. After the Year 5 financial statements were issued, Tedd received and accepted an IRS settlement offer of $450,000. What amount of accrued liability should Tedd have reported in its December 31, Year 5 balance sheet

Answer 1

Answer:

$400,000

Explanation:

Since at December 31, Year 5, Tedd's tax advisor believed that an unfavorable outcome was probable. And a reasonable estimate of additional taxes was $400,000 but could be as much as $600,000.

Although after the Year 5 financial statements were issued, Tedd received and accepted an IRS settlement offer of $450,000.

Tedd should have included an amount of $400,000 as accrued liability in its December 31, Year 5 balance sheet

The reason is that according to the International Financial Reporting Standards, a PROVISION must be made as long as the conditions below were obtainable at year end.

- Existing Condition (which in this case is the tax dispute with the IRS)

- Probable Cash Outflow (which Tedd's Tax adviser confirmed)

- Reliable Estimate of Outflow ( which the scenario stated ''A reasonable estimate of additional taxes was $400,000'')

Hence, such 'reasonable estimate is the appropriate amount for inclusion in the financial statements.