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CASE #004IAS 12

The Tax Expense That Came From the Future.

Current tax is done. Deferred tax isn’t. And the CEO wants to know how you can owe tax on a future that hasn’t happened.

Intermediate 25–35 minPDF + Excel Language: English · Español

01The situation

Year-end close · NorthBridge Services

NorthBridge Services is closing the year. Emma thinks tax is settled because the tax team has finished the current-year return.

DANIEL — TAX MANAGER
“Current tax is ready. Deferred tax isn’t.”
MIKE — CEO
“How can we owe tax on a future that hasn’t happened yet?”

Sarah smiles. That is exactly the point of the case.

Facts
Machinery: carrying amount£600,000
Machinery: tax base£450,000
Warranty provision: carrying amount£80,000
Warranty provision: tax base£0
Tax rate30%
Opening deferred tax balances£0
Future taxable profitsSufficient

02Your mission

Find the tax that the balance sheet is hiding.

  1. Identify the temporary difference on the machinery.
  2. Decide whether it creates a deferred tax asset or liability.
  3. Analyse the warranty provision.
  4. Calculate the deferred tax asset and liability.
  5. Determine the net amount, only if offsetting conditions are met.
  6. Prepare the journal entries.

03Think first

What would you do?

Every case asks for your answer before it shows you the solution. Getting it wrong here is part of the method.

04The solution

This is how the solution starts. The rest is in the full case.

STEP 1 · MACHINERY 600,000 − 450,000 (taxable) £150,000

Liability and asset, net position, entries, P&L effect and the tax-loss challenge.

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What’s included

Everything you need to solve it.

  • PDF caseThe story, the facts and the questions.
  • Excel modelCarrying amount, tax base, nature and deferred tax by item.
  • Complete solutionStep-by-step reasoning, not just the final number.
  • Journal entriesDeferred tax liability, asset and net effect.
  • Common mistakesThe ones Leo would make. And probably you too.
  • Final challenge£500,000 of tax losses: what evidence supports recognition?

WHAT YOU’LL PRACTISE

  • Tax base
  • Taxable and deductible differences
  • Deferred tax liability
  • Deferred tax asset
  • Offsetting

Preview

A look inside.

A4 · 8 pages

In this case

  • Daniel, Tax ManagerKnows deferred tax isn’t done.
  • Emma, CFOThinks the return settles it.
  • Mike, CEOAsks about tax from the future.
  • Leo, Junior AccountantNo tax payable today, so no deferred tax.

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