Answered step by step
Verified Expert Solution
Link Copied!

Question

1 Approved Answer

Stephanie Delaney, CPA, is the newly hired director of corporate taxation for Acme Incorporated, which is a publicly traded corporation. Ms. Delaney's first job with

Stephanie Delaney, CPA, is the newly hired director of corporate taxation for Acme Incorporated, which is a publicly traded corporation. Ms. Delaney's first job with Acme was the review of the company's accounting practices on deferred income taxes. In doing her review, she noted differences between tax and book depreciation methods that permitted Acme to realize a sizable deferred tax liability on its balance sheet. As a result, Acme paid very little in income taxes at that time.

Delaney also discovered that Acme has an explicit policy of selling off plant assets before they reversed in the deferred tax liability account. This policy, coupled with the rapid expansion of its plant asset base, allowed Acme to "defer" all income taxes payable for several years, even though it always has reported positive earnings and an increasing EPS. Delaney checked with the legal department and found the policy to be legal, but she's uncomfortable with the ethics of it.

Instructions

Answer the following questions.

(a)Why would Acme have an explicit policy of selling plant assets before the temporary differences reversed in the deferred tax liability account?

(b)What are the ethical implications of Acme's "deferral" of income taxes?

(c)Who could be harmed by Acme's ability to "defer" income taxes payable for several years, despite positive earnings?

(d)In a situation such as this, what are Ms. Delaney's professional responsibilities as a CPA?

Step by Step Solution

There are 3 Steps involved in it

Step: 1

blur-text-image

Get Instant Access to Expert-Tailored Solutions

See step-by-step solutions with expert insights and AI powered tools for academic success

Step: 2

blur-text-image

Step: 3

blur-text-image

Ace Your Homework with AI

Get the answers you need in no time with our AI-driven, step-by-step assistance

Get Started

Recommended Textbook for

Financial Sector Reform And Privatization In Transition Economies

Authors: John Doukas, Victor Murinde, Clas Wihlborg

1st Edition

044482653X, 9780444826534

More Books

Students also viewed these Finance questions

Question

=+Construct a data- and research-driven SWOT analysis

Answered: 1 week ago

Question

=+Who are our customers?

Answered: 1 week ago

Question

=+What are our goals presently?

Answered: 1 week ago