Firms A and B are identical. In one year, Firm A's statements have the beginning inventory understated and the ending inventory overstated. Then,
I. A's tax payment is higher.
II. B's tax payment is higher.
III. B shows a higher income.
IV. A shows a higher income.
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A. B. C. D.A
COGS = Beginning inventory - Ending inventory + Purchases. Hence, if BI is understated and EI overstated, COGS is understated, implying income is overstated.
Hence, Firm A will show higher income and pay higher taxes. It should be remembered that implicit in the use of the above inventory equation is the assumption that there have been no write-downs or write-ups in the inventory.