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IRC 481 (a) Adjustment For Changes in Accounting Methods

Senior Director, Tax Accounting Methods & Credits

Senior Director, Tax Accounting Methods & Credits

What is a 481(a) Adjustment?

A change in method of accounting requires restatement of the tax accounts on the first day of the year of change as if the taxpayer had always used the new method of accounting. A mismatch between the old and new method of accounting will have items of income or deduction be treated in inconsistent ways. This inconsistency can create a distortion in lifetime income or deductions of a taxpayer. The  481(a) adjustment is generally required in order to prevent duplication or omission of income or deductions when the taxpayer has changed their method of accounting, according to the IRS.

A taxpayer that changes their accounting method will also generally need to compute an IRC section 481(a) adjustment and need to submit Form 3115. This includes:

How To Report a 481(a) Adjustment on Tax Return

This usually requires an IRS Form 3115. This form is also known as the Application for Change in Accounting Method and is required for any taxpayer that either changes their accounting method or revokes or makes certain late elections.

Depending on whether you are filing for an automatic change request or a non-automatic change request will determine the exact information you need to provide.

Completing this form and filing your adjustment can be very complicated. It requires a significant amount of detailed information and detailed calculation based on relevant account balances.

The Form 3115 will ask for the following:

The purpose of the supporting information is to show entitlement to any section 481(a) adjustment taken into account as part of the change as well as other information that establishes the taxpayer’s eligibility to make the change in accounting method. Not all changes involve a section 481(a) adjustment.

Where Does a 481(a) Adjustment Go On Tax Return?

A taxpayer-favorable, negative section 481(a) adjustment generally goes on the tax return line for “Other Deductions”. A taxpayer-unfavorable, positive section 481(a) adjustment generally goes on the tax return line for “Other Income”. Both may also appear on Schedule M-1 or M-3.

How Source Advisors Can Help

Our team of tax professionals can help you by preparing Form 3115. Specifically, we can help with:

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