Why LIFO is better than FIFO?
Daniel Santos
Updated on January 02, 2026
If your inventory costs are going up, or are likely to increase, LIFO costing may be better because the higher cost items (the ones purchased or made last) are considered to be sold. If the opposite is true, and your inventory costs are going down, FIFO costing might be better.
What happens to FIFO and LIFO in a period of rising prices?
When LIFO is used in a period of rising prices, the latest and higher costs will go into cost of goods sold. When FIFO is used in a period of rising prices, the older and lower costs will go into costs of goods sold.
Which inventory method would be preferred for income tax purposes in periods of rising prices?
LIFO
When prices are rising, you prefer LIFO because it gives you the highest cost of goods sold and the lowest taxable income. First-in, first-out, or FIFO, applies the earliest costs first. In rising markets, FIFO yields the lowest cost of goods sold and the highest taxable income.
When prices are falling LIFO?
Question: When prices are falling: LIFO will result in higher income and a lower inventory valuation than will FIFO. LIFO will result in lower income and a higher inventory valuation than will FIFO. LIFO will result in lower income and a lower inventory valuation than will FIFO.
What are the advantages of FIFO in a period of rising prices?
Advantages and disadvantages of FIFO The FIFO method has four major advantages: (1) it is easy to apply, (2) the assumed flow of costs corresponds with the normal physical flow of goods, (3) no manipulation of income is possible, and (4) the balance sheet amount for inventory is likely to approximate the current market …
Which method gives the highest net income?
FIFO
Conversely, FIFO gives you the timeliest value for ending inventory, since the unsold items reflect the most current costs. In periods of rising prices, FIFO leads to the highest income and taxes.
What happens when prices are falling FIFO?
Transcribed image text: What happens when prices are falling? LIFO will result in lower net income and a lower inventory valuation than will FIFO LIFO will result in higher net income and a higher inventory valuation than will FIFO LIFO will result in higher net income and a lower inventory valuation than will FIFO.
Which method is useful when prices are falling?
First-in, First-out (FIFO) and Taxes The FIFO method can help lower taxes (compared to LIFO) when prices are falling. However, for the most part, prices tend to rise over the long term, meaning FIFO would produce a higher net income and tax bill over the long term.