Question

During the current year, the Town of Salo Alto recorded the following transactions related to its property taxes: Levied property taxes of $3,300,000, of which 2 percent is estimated to be uncollectible. Collected current property taxes amounting to $2,987,500. Collected $26,500 in delinquent taxes and $2,400 in interest and penalties on the delinquent taxes. These amounts had been recorded as Deferred Inflows of Resources in the prior year. Imposed penalties and interest in the amount of $3,750 but only expects to collect $3,100 of that amount. None is expected to be collected this year or within 30 days of year-end. Reclassified uncollected taxes as delinquent. These amounts are not expected to be collected within the first 60 days of the following fiscal year.

Answer 1

Question Completion:

Prepare the journal entries.

Answer:

Town of Salo Alto

Journal Entries:

Debit Property Taxes Receivable $3,300,000

Credit Unearned Property Taxes $3,300,000

To record the levying of property taxes.

Debit Uncollectible Expense $66,000

Credit Allowance for Uncollectible Property Taxes $66,000

To record the 2% allowance for uncollectible taxes.

Debit Cash $2,987,500

Credit Property Taxes Receivable $2,987,500

To record the collection of current property taxes.

Debit Cash $28,900

Credit Deferred Inflows of Resources $26,500

Credit Interest and Penalties $2,400

To record the collection of delinquent taxes with interest and penalties.

Debit Penalties and Interest Receivable $3,750

Credit Interest and Penalties $3,100

Credit Allowance for uncollectible $650

To record penalties and interest imposed.

Debit Deferred Inflows of Resources $312,500

Credit Property Taxes Receivable $312,500

To re-classify uncollected taxes as delinquent.

Explanation:

The ASC 606, as applicable to GASB, specifies when property tax revenues should be recognized in government-wide financial statements.  Governmental revenue, e.g. property tax revenue, should be considered as revenue in the current period if it can be collected within that period or sixty days after the current period.  If it cannot be so collected, it needs to be re-classified as delinquent.