Question

West Corp. leased a building and received the $36,000 annual rental payment on June 15, 2004.

The beginning of the lease is July 1, 2004. Rental income is taxable when received. West's tax rates are 30% for 2004 and 40% thereafter. West has elected early adoption of FASB Statement No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes. West had no other permanent or temporary differences. West determined that no valuation allowance was needed.

What amount of deferred tax asset should West report in its December 31, 2004 balance sheet?

Answer 1

$7,200

Step-by-step explanation:

West should recognize 6 months of rent during 2004 = $36,000 x 6/12 = $18,000

So West will recognize the remaining $18,000 in rent during 2005, but it decided that the operation will be taxed completely during 2004.

Since the future taxable income will be less than the future pre-tax accounting income be $18,000, then they must report a deferred tax asset = $18,000 x 40% = $7,200

The current tax rate is lower than the future tax rate, but West has to record its tax asset based on the future tax rate, not the current one.