Deferred taxes in Russian and foreign practice: Problems and possible remedies

Modern accounting theory and practice and analysis of deferred taxes should be more focused on value depreciation procedure, evaluation of tax behavior, and calculation of economic coefficients. In this regard, deferred taxation theory development turns out to be a relevant issue by outlining unresolved controversial issues with their appropriate remedies. The study is aimed at identifying the key issues in accounting and analysis of deferred taxes and justifying the proposals to improve the registration and interpretation of tax effects. The paper specifies the nature of deferred taxes in a broad and narrow sense. The essence of tax assets, criteria of their recognition and ability to transfer the cost as expenses vs. income are disclosed. The concepts of temporary and timing differences are theoretically formalized in the case study of emerging taxable differences. Two methodologies are developed for the deferred tax assets depreciation procedure, and a methodological mechanism of creation and restoration of valuation allowance is explained in the context of international experience. The informational significance and importance of deferred taxes in economic (investment) decision making are characterized, and company’s tax behavior is described in the context of the changes in the corporate tax rate and the amount of deferred taxes in the balance sheet. The economic analysis reasons the ambiguous influence of deferred taxes elimination due to the indirect “effects” that arise. The results of the work contribute to the development of accounting theory and methodology, which is useful for a wide range of experts, specialized in financial accounting, auditing, taxation, economic analysis, and other areas. Further research is seen to be connected with theoretical substantiation of the deferred taxation theory and its proof of applicability, as well as the development of a methodology for analyzing net deferred tax positions.