Final answer:
The journal entry in Harpersville for the property tax levy includes debiting Property Tax Receivable for $800,000 and crediting Taxes Levied for the same amount, while also accounting for uncollectibles by debiting Estimated Uncollectible Current Taxes for $8,000 and crediting Allowance for Uncollectible Taxes for the same amount.
Step-by-step explanation:
The journal entry to record the property tax levy in Harpersville, which amounts to $800,000 with an estimated 1 percent uncollectible, would not include a debit to cash nor an immediate recognition of revenue. Since municipal accounting often follows a modified accrual basis, revenue cannot be recognized until it is both measurable and available. Instead, the town would record the levy and address the expected uncollectibles as follows:
- Debit Property Tax Receivable for $800,000, which represents the total tax levy billed to property owners.
- Credit Taxes Levied (or similar account title representing revenue) for $800,000, which denotes the establishment of the right to receive the revenue upon the tax levy.
- Debit Estimated Uncollectible Current Taxes for $8,000, which is 1 percent of the tax levy that is expected not to be collected.
- Credit an allowance account such as Allowance for Uncollectible Taxes for $8,000, which reduces the net realizable value of the receivable.
Thus, the correct answer in this context would usually be option a.) A debit to Estimated Uncollectible Current Taxes for $8,000. Meanwhile, revenues will only be recognized to the extent that they are expected to be collected, which here is $792,000 (the $800,000 levy minus the $8,000 estimated to be uncollectible).