IAS 12 provides guidance on accounting for deferred taxes. A deferred tax liability arises when tax depreciation is higher than book depreciation, resulting in lower current tax expense. A deferred tax asset occurs when tax depreciation is lower than book depreciation, resulting in higher current tax expense. These differences are temporary and will offset over time. The deferred tax amounts are recorded to allocate the tax expense or benefit to the appropriate accounting periods. Examples show calculating deferred tax liability when tax depreciation exceeds book depreciation, resulting in lower current taxes. Deferred tax amounts are presented separately from other assets/liabilities and not classified as current. Tax rate changes use enacted rates when the deferred amount reverses.

1. IAS 12: Deferred Taxes

2. Interperiod Tax Allocation
A Deferred Tax Liability arises when the income tax payable calculated for the tax
return is less than the tax calculated by the accounting records.
A Deferred Tax Asset is created when the income tax payable calculated for the tax
return is more than the tax calculated by the accounting records.
In both cases the allocation is for a temporary difference. The amount will offset over
time.
For permanent differences the Income Tax Expense calculation should not take into
account the permanent difference. A permanent difference represents a case where
something is recorded as an expense in the accounting records but is not allowed as a
deduction for tax purposes.

3. Examples of Temporary Differences
between Book Income and Taxable
Income
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4. Examples of Temporary Differences
between Book Income and Taxable
Income, continued
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5. Income Tax
Statement Return Difference
Revenues 1,000,000
$ 1,000,000
$ -
$
Less:
Depreciation 200,000 320,000 (120,000)
Other expenses 650,000 650,000 -
Income before taxes 150,000
$ 30,000
$ 120,000
$
× Tax rate 30% 30% 30%
Income taxes 45,000
$ 9,000
$ 36,000
$
Normally for Income Taxes
Returns the depreciation is
accelerated and is more than the
amount calculated for
accounting.

6. Income Tax
Statement Return Difference
Revenues 1,000,000
$ 1,000,000
$ -
$
Less:
Depreciation 200,000 320,000 (120,000)
Other expenses 650,000 650,000 -
Income before taxes 150,000
$ 30,000
$ 120,000
$
× Tax rate 30% 30% 30%
Income taxes 45,000
$ 9,000
$ 36,000
$
As Depreciation expense is more
in the tax return the amount of
tax paid is less. This difference is
your deferred tax liability, as it
will be paid later.

7. The entry to record the deferred taxes
would appear as follows:
GENERAL JOURNAL Page 77
Date Description
Post.
Ref. Debit Credit
2003
Dec. 31 Income Tax Expense 45,000
Deferred Tax Liability 36,000
Income Taxes Payable 9,000

8. Description Debit Credit
Income tax expense 150,000
Deferred tax asset 45,000
Income tax payable 195,000
When the tax payable for income tax is more that the
accounting tax payable, then you have a deferred tax asset.

9. Presentation
These should be presented separately from other assets and liabilities in the
statement of financial position. Deferred tax assets and liabilities should be
distinguished from current tax assets and liabilities. In addition, deferred tax
assets/liabilities should not be classified as current assets/liabilities, where an
entity makes such a distinction.
The tax expense (income) related to the profit or loss from ordinary activities
should be shown in the statement of profit or loss.

10. Concluding Remarks
Loss carrybacks or carry forwards are the situation where you can take a Net
Loss backwards to get an income tax refund or carry a loss forward to reduce
your tax liability. This is a more complicated calculation as it involves different
tax rates over different periods.

11. Global Vantage Point: Reporting
Income Taxes
Difference GAAP IFRS (IAS 12)
Tax law changes Uses the enacted rate schedule to be in
effect when the deferred tax asset or
deferred tax liability reverses
Requires firms to use the enacted
or substantively enacted tax rate
Approach for recognizing
deferred tax assets when
realizability is uncertain
• Uses valuation account for deferred tax
asset if book basis is different from the
tax basis
• Review at end of period and increase
valuation account as necessary
• Reduction cannot be reversed
• No valuation account is used
• Recognize deferred tax assets
only if probable that they will
be realized
• Review at end of period and
reduce as necessary
• Reduction can be reversed
Reconciliation of
statutory and effective tax
rates
Uses the domestic federal statutory rate
as starting point
Use the domestic federal statutory
rate or statutory rate that
aggregates domestic rates in
various jurisdictions
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12. Global Vantage Point: Reporting
Income Taxes, continued
Difference GAAP IFRS (IAS 12)
Offsetting deferred tax
assets and deferred tax
liabilities
Net deferred tax assets and liabilities
from the same taxing jurisdiction against
each other
Net deferred tax assets and
deferred tax liabilities only if two
very stringent conditions are met
Disclosure of income tax
amount recognized
directly in equity
Not required Disclose the aggregate amount of
current or deferred income tax
income or expense to Other
Comprehensive Income
Uncertain tax positions Extensive guidance No specific guidance; tax assets
and liabilities are measured at the
amount expected to be paid; recognize
contingent liability under certain
conditions
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