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What is/are the difference(s) between deferred tax asset and deferred tax liability and how it can be treated for financial reporting purposes?

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Question added by Abdulqader Ahmed , finance & controlling manager , Clariant Masterbatches (Saudi) Ltd
Date Posted: 2016/01/15
Rehan Qureshi
by Rehan Qureshi , Financial Consultant , Self Employeed

 

Deferred Tax Asset'

Deferred tax assets are created due to taxes paid or carried forward but not yet recognized in the income statement. Its value is calculated by taking into account financial reporting standards for book income and the jurisdictional tax authority's rules for taxable income. For example, deferred tax assets can be created due to the tax authority recognizing revenue or expenses at different times than that of an accounting standard. This asset helps in reducing the company’s future tax liability. It is important to note that a deferred tax asset will only be recognized when the difference between the loss-value or depreciation of the asset is expect to offset future profit.

 

Tax Deferred Liabilities

A deferred tax liability occurs when taxable income is smaller than the income reported on the income statements. This is a result of the accounting difference of certain income and expense accounts. This is only a temporary difference. The most common reason behind deferred tax liability is the use of different depreciation methods for financial reporting and the IRS.

 

A deferred tax asset is the opposite of a deferred tax liability. Deferred tax assets are reductions in future taxes payable, because the company has already paid the taxes on book income to be recognized in the future (like a prepaid tax).

 

 

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