Sal, a Calendar Year Taxpayer, Uses the Cash-Basis Method of Accounting

question 83

Essay

Sal, a calendar year taxpayer, uses the cash-basis method of accounting for his sole proprietorship. In late December he performed $40,000 of consulting services for a client. Sal typically requires his clients to pay his bills immediately upon receipt. Assume that Sal's marginal tax rate is 30% this year and 35% next year and that he can earn an after-tax rate of return of 12% on his investments. Should Sal send his client the bill in December or January?

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Definitions:

Unregulated Monopolists

A single supplier in a market without government intervention or regulation, potentially leading to higher prices and lower outputs.

Marginal Cost

The additional cost incurred when producing one more unit of a good or service.

Economic Profit

The total revenue of a firm minus its explicit and implicit costs, representing the surplus generated beyond the opportunity cost.

Marginal Revenue

The increase in earnings from the sale of one additional unit of a good or service.