Question

We learned in Bad Debt 1 HW that accrual-basis taxpayers cannot use the allowance method to estimate bad debt. The IRS allows a special method that does not officially use the allowance method, but the effect is the same as if they used the allowance method. Hint: review the expanded solutions for chapter 3. 1. What is the name of this method? 2. What kind of businesses may or may not use this method? 3. In what way is this method similar to the allowance method and in what way is it technically different?

Answer 1

A bad debt expense is recognized when a receivable is no longer collectible because a customer is unable to fulfill their obligation to pay an outstanding debt due to bankruptcy or other financial problems. Companies that extend credit to their customers report bad debts as an allowance for doubtful accounts on the balance sheet, which is also known as a provision for credit losses.

There are two different methods used to recognize bad debt expense. Using the direct write-off method, uncollectible accounts are written off directly to expense as they become uncollectible. This method is used in the U.S. for income tax purposes

The allowance method is an accounting technique that enables companies to take anticipated losses into consideration in its financial statements to limit overstatement of potential income. To avoid an account overstatement, a company will estimate how much of its receivables from current period sales that it expects will be delinquent..