How to Read a Financial Report, 10th Edition

13INCOME TAX EXPENSE AND ITS LIABILITY

Taxation of Business Profit

Please refer to Exhibit 13.1, which highlights the connection between income tax expense in the income statement and the income tax payable liability in the balance sheet. Initially, income tax expense is increased and the income tax liability is increased. The tax liability account is decreased as cash payments are made. Typically, not all of the income tax expense for the year is paid by the end of the year. In this company example, a small part of the company’s total income tax expense for the year, which is based on its taxable income for the year, has not been paid at year-end. This remaining balance will be paid in the near future. The unpaid portion stays in the company’s income tax payable liability account until paid.

The business in our example is incorporated, meaning the business selected this form of legal organization (instead of a partnership or limited liability company). A corporation, being a separate person in the eyes of the law, has several important advantages. However, profit-motivated business corporations have one serious disadvantage. They are subject to federal and state income tax on their profits, or, to be more accurate, they owe tax based on their taxable income, which is earnings before income tax.

The business in this example is a regular, or so-called C corporation. This type of income tax entity is subject to double taxation of business profit—first in the hands of the business ...