Final answer:
Companies must disclose the amount of the NOL, the expiration date, and the reason for the NOL in their financial statement notes. Expected future loss amounts are not a disclosure requirement since they are speculative.
Step-by-step explanation:
When it comes to the disclosure notes for net operating loss (NOL) carryforwards in a company's financial statements, certain information is required for complete transparency. Companies must disclose:
- The amount of the NOL, which is the actual dollar value of the net operating loss that can be carried forward to offset future taxable income.
- The expiration date of the NOL, because net operating losses can only be carried forward and applied against taxable income for a predetermined number of years, as per the tax laws.
- The reason for the NOL, providing a brief explanation of the circumstances or business activities that led to the loss, which can include factors such as market downturns, operational challenges, or special one-time events.
It is not customarily required to disclose expected future loss amounts as these are projections and not certainties.