The Basis of Taxation: Understanding the Fundamentals

What is basis of taxation?
A tax basis is the value of an asset that is used when determining the gain or loss when the asset is sold. Generally, it equals the asset purchase price minus any accumulated depreciation.
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Any contemporary society must have taxation. Levying taxes on people or businesses in order to fund the common good is a prevalent practice. The government collects taxes to pay for social programs, infrastructure, and public services. The guiding concept that determines how taxes are calculated and collected is known as the basis of taxation.

The value used to determine taxes is known as the tax base. It serves as the foundation upon which the tax liability is calculated. Income is the most typical taxation base. Income earned by an individual or corporation is subject to income tax. The amount of tax due increases with income. Property tax, sales tax, and excise tax are among other taxing sources.

The entity’s accounting income and its taxable income are reconciled on Schedule M-1 of Form 1120. To guarantee that the entity’s taxable income is calculated accurately, this modification is required. All corporations that submit Form 1120 are required to include the Schedule M-1 adjustment.

A supplemental schedule known as Schedule M-3 offers additional details on an entity’s financial statements. Taxable income and financial statement income are compared using this method. For all corporations with assets of $10 million or more, the Schedule M-3 is necessary.

A new Form 941 will be available in 2020 for reporting payroll taxes. In order to reflect the modifications made by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, a new form has been created. For reporting the deferral and payment of employer social security taxes, new lines have been added to the form.

Form 941 must be submitted by any employer who provides wages to workers. This includes employers who deduct social security, Medicare, and federal income taxes from employee earnings. To report these taxes, employers must submit Form 941 on a quarterly basis.

In conclusion, the guiding concept that determines how taxes are calculated and collected is known as the basis of taxation. It serves as the foundation upon which the tax liability is calculated. The financial statement income and taxable income are compared using Schedule M-3 and Schedule M-1 adjustments on Form 1120. Every employer who pays wages to employees must submit a new Form 941 quarterly starting in 2020. To fulfill their duties and support the common good, all taxpayers must have a basic understanding of taxation.

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