Answer: $680,000
Explanation:
From the question, we are informed that Cracker Co. purchased 40% of Dallas Corp.'s common stock at book value of net assets on January 1, 2020 and that the balance in Cracker's Equity Investment account was $820,000 at December 31, 2020.
We are further told that Dallas reported net income of $500,000 for the year ended December 31, 2020, and paid dividends totaling $150,000 during 2020.
The amount paid by Cracker Co. for its 40% interest in Dallas Corp goes thus:
It should be noted that the balance in Cracker's Equity Investment account as at December 31st 2020 is the addition of the acquisition price and the share in net income after which the dividend share is deducted from the value of the addition gotten. This can be written as:
Acquisition price + (500000 × 40%) -(150000 × 40%) = $820,000
Acquisition price + (500000 × 0.4) -(150000 × 0.4) = $820,000
Acquisition price + $200,000 - $60,000 = $820,000
Acquisition price = $820,000 + $60,000 - $200,000
Acquisition price = $680,000
Cracker Co. paid $680,000 for its 40% interest in Dallas Corp.