The Berndt Corporation expects to have sales of $12 million. Costs other than depreciation are expected to be 75% 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. Berndt’s federal-plus-state tax rate is 40%. Berndt has no debt.

a. Set up an income statement. What is Berndt’s expected net cash flow?

b. Suppose Congress changed the tax laws so that Berndt’s 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 Berndt’s depreciation, reduced it by 50%. 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?