Variable Overhead Variances Smith Tax Company considers 6,000 direct labor hours or 300 tax

returns its normal monthly capacity. Its standard variable overhead rate is $50 per direct labor hour.

During the current month, $250,400 of variable overhead cost was incurred in working 5,500 direct

labor hours to prepare 270 tax returns. Determine the following variances, and indicate whether each

is favorable or unfavorable:

a. Variable overhead spending

b. Variable overhead efficiency