Toledo National Bank purchased land and a building for the lump sum of $6 million. To get the maximum tax deduction, the bank’s managers allocated 80% of the purchase price to the building and only 20% to the land. A more realistic allocation would have been 60% to the building and 40% to the land.

Requirements

1. What is the ethical issue in this situation?

2. Who are the stakeholders? What are the possible consequences to each?

3. Analyze the alternatives from the following standpoints: (a) economic, (b) legal, and (c) ethical.

4. What would you do? How would you justify your decision?