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The Daily Insight Hub

What are temporary differences?

Author

Jackson Reed

Updated on January 02, 2026

Temporary differences are defined as being differences between the carrying amount of an asset (or liability) within the Statement of Financial Position and its tax base ie the amount at which the asset (or liability) is valued for tax purposes by the relevant tax authority.

What is a permanent difference?

A permanent difference is the difference between the tax expense and tax payable caused by an item that does not reverse over time. In other words, it is the difference between financial accounting and tax accounting that is never eliminated. An example of a permanent difference is a company incurring a fine.

Is Depreciation a temporary account?

Depreciation Expense is a temporary account since it is an income statement account. On the other hand, the balance sheet account Accumulated Depreciation is not a temporary account. Accumulated Depreciation is a contra asset account and its balance is not closed at the end of each accounting period.

Is allowance for doubtful accounts a temporary difference?

Examples of temporary differences are: Revenues or gains that are taxable either prior to or after they are recognized in the financial statements. For example, an allowance for doubtful accounts may not be immediately tax deductible, but instead must be deferred until specific receivables are declared bad debts.

Is accounts receivable temporary or permanent?

Examples of permanent accounts are: Asset accounts including Cash, Accounts Receivable, Inventory, Investments, Equipment, and others. Liability accounts such as Accounts Payable, Notes Payable, Accrued Liabilities, Deferred Income Taxes, etc.

Is depreciation expense permanent or temporary?

Depreciation Expense is a temporary account since it is an income statement account. As a temporary account, Depreciation Expense will begin each accounting year with a zero balance and will have its balance at the end of the year closed to an equity account such as retained earnings or a proprietor’s capital account.

What is a M 1 adjustment?

M-1 adjustments: reconciliation of book and taxable income (income and deductions.) These deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities develop due to timing differences of income and deductions for book and tax purposes.

Is warranty expense a temporary or permanent difference?

Question: Warranty Expense Creates A Temporary Difference. Books Estimate The Warranty Expense, But For Tax Purposes, It Cannot Be Deducted Until The Money Is Spent To Honor The Warranty. Deferred Tax Liability (DTL) Depreciation Expense Creates A Temporary Difference.