Ajax Computer Company Is an Accrual Method Calendar Year Taxpayer

question 52

Multiple Choice

Ajax Computer Company is an accrual method calendar year taxpayer. Ajax has never advertised in the national media prior to this year. In November of this year, however, Ajax paid $1 million for television advertising time during a "super" sporting event scheduled to take place in early February of next year. In addition, in November of this year the company paid $500,000 for advertising time during a professional golf tournament which will occur once in April of next year. What amount of these payments, if any, can Ajax deduct this year?

• A) $1 million
• B) $500,000
• C) $1.5 million
• D) $1.5 million only if the professional golf tournament is played before April 15
• E) No deduction can be claimed this year

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Definitions:

Adjusted Trial Balance

A list of accounts and their balances after the company has made all adjustments.

Comparative Balance Sheets

Financial statements that display a company's financial position at different points in time side by side, facilitating year-over-year or period-over-period comparison.

Depreciation Expense

The allocation of the cost of tangible assets over their useful lives, reflecting the asset's consumption, wear and tear, or obsolescence.

Accumulated Depreciation

The total amount of a tangible asset's cost that has been allocated as depreciation expense since the asset was put into use.