Auto Dealerships - Audit Technique Guide - Uncle Fed's Tax*Board
Auto Dealerships - Audit Technique Guide - Uncle Fed's Tax*Board
Auto Dealerships - Audit Technique Guide - Uncle Fed's Tax*Board
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
able to tell at a glance whether there is sufficient equity to finance any dealership losses. The<br />
agent should be able to quickly add all equity accounts and compare them to losses reported to<br />
determine if these arrangements are feasible. Sure, there may be assets included in these equity<br />
accounts that may not be liquid, but this method will give the agent an idea where they stand in<br />
relation to financial status.<br />
Taking this analysis one step further, determine if in having sufficient funds and equity to finance<br />
losses, there is sufficient cash or its equivalent to justify asset acquisition, to maintain the debt<br />
service stated or maintain certain life-styles.<br />
A side benefit to this method of analysis is that it enables the agent to see the "big picture." For<br />
instance, previous flow charts prepared have shown a flow of funds from a related non-key entity<br />
to finance the losses of several dealerships. Reviewing the flow chart and corporate balance<br />
sheets an agent could determine that one entity had a $35 million increase to retained earnings.<br />
This was a material increase on this tax return. Questioning of the principal shareholder indicated<br />
this increase was due to the sale of various pieces of real property. The corporation then<br />
transferred $15 million to one dealership to finance the losses incurred.<br />
The lesson here is the use of this method enables the agent to determine material areas to further<br />
pursue. Whether a material issue exists or not can be determined in a very short period of time.<br />
This type of analysis will steer the agent away from "verification audits" and prove more efficient<br />
and time effective. Probability of material adjustments can be determined quickly. If there is no<br />
issue the case can be closed with less time then is currently being experienced and the agent can<br />
move on to the next case, conserving the valuable resources of both the Government and the<br />
taxpayer.<br />
1. Type C Return Information<br />
Profit and Loss from Form 1120S<br />
Gross Receipts $ 100,000,000<br />
Cost of Sales $ 90,000,000<br />
Gross Profit $ 10,000,000<br />
Interest $ 50,000<br />
Other Income $ 50,000<br />
Total Income $ 10,100,000<br />
Deductions:<br />
Officer Compensation $ 100,000<br />
Salaries and Wages $ 5,000,000<br />
Repairs/Maintenance $ 100,000<br />
1-8