Problem 06-15 (Algo) [LO 6-5, 6-6]

Firm F, a calendar year taxpayer, owes a $320,000 long-term debt to an unrelated creditor. In December, it paid $19,200 to the creditor as interest for the 12-month period from the prior September 1 through August 31 of the following year.

Required:

Compute the deduction for this payment assuming that Firm F uses the cash method of accounting for tax purposes.

Compute the deduction for this payment assuming that Firm F uses the accrual method of accounting for tax purposes.