Question

The Commonwealth of Virginia filed suit in October 2014, against Northern Timber Corporation seeking civil penalties and injunctive relief for violations of environmental laws regulating forest conservation. When the financial statements were issued in 2015, Northern had not reached a settlement with state authorities, but legal counsel advised Northern Timber that it was probable the ultimate settlement would be $1,000,000 in penalties. The following entry was recorded: Loss—litigation ................................................................................................... 1,000,000 Liability—litigation ........................................................................................... 1,000,000 Late in 2016, a settlement was reached with state authorities to pay a total of $600,000 to cover the cost of violations. Required: 1. Prepare any journal entries related to the change. 2. Briefly describe other steps Northern should take to report the change.

Answer 1

Answer:

Northern Timber Corporation

1. Journal entries to record the change:

Debit Litigation Liability $1,000,000

Credit Cash $600,000

Credit Litigation Loss $400,000

To record the payment of the litigation liability and the reduction of litigation loss by $400,000.

2. Northern can restate the 2014 and 2015 Retained Earnings to reflect the change in the litigation loss.

Explanation:

a) Data and Calculations:

Records of probable loss from ultimate settlement:

2014:

Loss—litigation  1,000,000

Liability—litigation 1,000,000

2016:

Agreed settlement = $600,000

Analysis of Entries:

Litigation Liability $1,000,000

Cash $600,000

Litigation Loss $400,000