Question

Reese, a calendar-year taxpayer, uses the cash method of accounting for her sole proprietorship. In late December, she received a $17,000 bill from her accountant for consulting services related to her small business. Reese can pay the $17,000 bill anytime before January 30 of next year without penalty. Assume Reese’s marginal tax rate is 32% this year and will be 37% next year, and that she can earn an after-tax rate of return of 11% on her investments.

A. What is the after-tax cost if she pays the $31,000 bill in December?
B. What is the after-tax cost if she pays the $31,000 bill in January?

Answer 1

$11,560

$5666.661

Step-by-step explanation:

Given the following :

Bill received from accountant = $17,000

This year's marginal tax rate = 32%

Next year's marginal tax rate = 37%

After tax return on investment = 11%

After tax cost of bill is paid in December :

Billed amount * this year's tax rate

$17,000 * ( 1 - 0.32)

= $17,000 * 0.68

= $11,560

B) After tax cost of bill was paid in January:

Billed amount * next year's tax rate * PV factor

From the present value factor table;

PV factor (1 years, 11%) = 0.9009

Hence,

$17,000 * 0.37 * 0.9009 = $5666.661