The Multi Department store takes physical inventories at each of its 300 stores on various dates between August 1 and September 30th each year.The company's tax year ends on the Monday closest to January 31st.The company's reduction in inventory due to breakage and theft after the last physical inventory in September 2012:
A) Cannot be determined until the physical inventory is actually taken and therefore breakage that occurs in December 2012 will not be deductible until the year ending in January 2013.
B) Must be delayed until the inventory has been taken as a result of the all-events test.
C) Can be estimated and deducted for the year ending in January 2013.
D) Can be estimated and deducted as of the end of the tax year, but only if the taxpayer uses the lower of cost or market inventory method.
E) None on the above.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The company can estimate their reduction in inventory due to breakage and theft and deduct it for the year ending in January 2013. This is because the all-events test has been met since the events causing the reduction have occurred and the company can reasonably estimate the amount of the reduction. However, they cannot deduct breakage that occurs after the last physical inventory in September 2012 until the following tax year.

The Multi Department Store Takes Physical Inventories at Each of Its