The Berndt Corporation expects to have sales of $9 million. Costs other than depreciation are expected to be 60% of sales, and depreciation is expected to be $1.5 million. All sales revenues will be collected in cash, and costs other than depreciation must be paid for during the year. Berndts federal-plus-state tax rate is 40 percent.

a. Set up an income statement. What is Berndts expected net cash flow?

b. Suppose Congress changed the tax laws so that Berndts depreciation expenses doubled. No changes in operations occurred. What would happen to reported profit and to net cash flow?

c. Now suppose that Congress, instead of doubling Berndts depreciation, reduced it by 50 percent. How would profit and net cash flow be affected?

d. If this were your company, would you prefer Congress to cause your depreciation expense to be doubled or halved? Why?