Deferred tax assets stem from deductible differences

In our previous article, we discussed that the difference between accounting and taxable profits can be either permanent or temporary. Furthermore, we delved into the classification of temporary differences into taxable temporary differences and deductible temporary differences. Our discussion ultimately revealed that deductible temporary differences give rise to deferred tax assets.

A deferred tax asset, found on a company’s balance sheet, symbolises the excess taxes paid by the company or the tax deductions that can be utilised to reduce future tax obligations. This asset arises from various factors, such as cases where taxable revenue exceeds accounting revenue due to deductible temporary differences, instances where taxable expenses are lower than accounting expenses because of deductible temporary differences, and situations where the company has tax losses or tax credits to be carried forward.

Tax authorities may require businesses to pay tax on a greater amount of income compared to what is reported in the statement of comprehensive income, resulting in higher taxable profits. For example, let us suppose a business receives three years’ rent amounting to Dh300,000 as advance. In the accounting records, this amount would typically be spread out and amortised over three years at Dh100,000 per year. However, tax authorities may operate on a cash basis and could mandate that the entire Dh300,000 rental receipt be treated as taxable revenue in the initial year. It is important to note that in the UAE, advances such as mentioned above are not subject to corporate tax, therefore deferred revenue from advances will not create any deductible temporary differences.

In scenarios where taxable expenses fall below accounting expenses, common examples include provisions for warranties, bad debts, research and development costs, legal costs, and more. Companies often record expenses based on estimates or provisional figures, whereas tax authorities may recognise expenses on a cash basis. For example, let’s take a company such as X Ltd. They project, using historical data, that five per cent of their total sales, equivalent to Dh1,000,000, should be set aside for repairs in the next years to cover potential warranty claims. As a result, X Ltd creates a provision of Dh50,000 [1,000,000 at the rate of per cent] which may not be accepted by tax authorities and can lead to deferred tax assets.

Another factor contributing to deferred tax assets, leading to reduced future tax payments, is the utilisation of carried forward losses and tax credits. These losses and/or credits will be offset against upcoming taxable profits, thereby reducing taxable income, and consequently lowering the tax burden. The duration for which losses can be carried forward differs across jurisdictions, and the specific timeframe for carrying forward these losses is contingent upon the prevailing laws that govern each jurisdiction. In the UAE corporate tax law, the tax losses can be carried forward for an unlimited period.

International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) states that the deductible temporary differences that will result in amounts that are deductible in determining taxable profit (tax loss) of future periods when the carrying amount of the asset or liability is recovered or settled.