Drake Tax – 1120-S: M-2 Versus Retained Earnings

Article #: 11592

Last Updated: November 06, 2024

 


Tags: Drake Tax

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When trying to reconcile the Accumulated Adjustments Account (AAA) to retained earnings, keep in mind that the Schedule L on the 1120-S is the balance sheet of the corporation for book purposes and the AAA account is a tax schedule only. There are adjustments that must be made to book income for tax purposes. The M-1 adjustments are either permanent or temporary, dependent upon tax law.

Example

When we combine Schedule M-2, Columns (a) and (d), we note the difference between the AAA and retained earnings is $3,900.

Line Item Calculation
Retained Earnings (Per Schedule L) 335,000
Schedule M-2 Balance 331,100
Schedule M-2 / Schedule L Difference 3,900
   
Bonus Depreciation (Schedule M-1, Line 6a) 5,400
§179 Expense (Schedule M-1, Line 6a) 23,500
Bad Debt Allowance Adjustment (Schedule M-1, Line 2) -25,000
Total 3,900
   
Unreconciled Difference 0

Because the M-1 adjustments made for book-to-tax reconciliation are temporary, in this situation the retained earnings and the AAA account would balance in future years barring any other adjustments. There are situations, however, when the M-1 adjustments would be permanent and thus the retained earnings and accumulated adjustments accounts would never reconcile.