The Association between Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities and Future Tax Payments

Abstract

This study empirically examines whether deferred taxes provide incremental information about future tax payments and explores whether the relationship is affected by whether and when the deferred tax accounts reverse. The analysis provides evidence that while deferred taxes do provide incremental information about future tax payments, the magnitude of the information is small. Further, consistent with theoretical predictions (Guenther and Sansing 2000, 2004; Dotan 2003) the analysis demonstrates there is an asymmetrical association between deferred taxes and future tax payments. For instance, deferred taxes associated with temporary differences that are included in GAAP income prior to taxable income are associated with future tax payments. In contrast, deferred taxes associated with temporary differences that are included in GAAP income after taxable income are not associated with future tax payments. Finally, the analysis provides evidence that growth in the deferred tax balances does not defer future tax payments.