The Taxpayer Has Consistently, but Incorrectly, Used an Allowance for Bad

question 87

Multiple Choice

The taxpayer has consistently, but incorrectly, used an allowance for bad debts. At the beginning of the year, the balance in the allowance account is $90,000.

• A) If the IRS examines the taxpayer's return and requires the taxpayer to change accounting methods, the taxpayer will be required to recognize an additional $90,000 of income (one-half in the current year and one- half in the following year) as the adjustment due to the change in accounting methods.
• B) If the taxpayer voluntarily changes methods, the $90,000 adjustment can be spread over the current and three following years.
• C) If the taxpayer voluntarily changes methods, the $90,000 reserve can be used to absorb bad debts until the account balance is zero.
• D) If the IRS examines the taxpayer's return, no adjustment to the reserve account will be required if the balance is consistent with prior bad debt experience.
• E) None of the above.

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Definitions:

Purchases Returns

Goods returned to the supplier from the buyer due to defects, inaccuracies in orders, or other reasons.

Sales Returns

Transactions where customers return previously purchased merchandise to the seller, resulting in a deduction from gross sales to arrive at net sales.

Purchases Returns

Goods returned by a buyer to the seller, often due to defects or dissatisfaction, resulting in a refund or credit.

Purchase Discounts

Discounts a buyer receives for paying suppliers early, which are used to reduce the cost of purchased goods.