It is no secret that every corner of the world is now at our fingertips. The internet and other forms of multimedia have made connecting with distant parts of the globe as easy as clicking a button, and as a result of this access, the ability of individuals to interact with numerous global markets has greatly increased. However, despite the fact that investors have unprecedented access to markets around the world, they still do not have a consistent accounting standard on which to evaluate the financial results of companies operating in numerous different countries.

To rectify this problem, the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and the U.S. Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) are attempting to converge the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and the U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). If this convergence project is successful, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) will be in a position in 2011 to determine whether to incorporate IFRS into the U.S. domestic reporting system. Further, if the SEC determines in 2011 to adopt IFRS, U.S. issuers would likely report under this system by 2015 or 2016.

Since the possible adoption of IFRS in the United States is about five or six years away, it is important to have a basic understanding what the IFRS is, what significant convergence projects are currently under consideration, and what deadlines are being set for potential standards to be issued. Once these major convergence projects have been identified, it is then important to examine what impact these possible changes will have on state and local taxes.

Background on IFRS
The IFRS are a set of established accounting standards promulgated by the London-based IASB. The IASB, which began operations in 2001, is committed to developing a single set of global accounting standards that require transparent and comparable information in general purpose financial statements. Currently, over 100 countries have moved to, or are allowing, IFRS.

Significant Convergence Projects Under Consideration
In a November 2009 joint statement, the IASB and FASB affirmed June 2011 as the target date for completing major IFRS and GAAP convergence projects. However, pursuant to the "Progress Report on Commitment to Convergence of Accounting Standards and a Single Set of High Quality Global Accounting Standards" issued by the IASB and FASB on June 24, 2010, the two organizations have stated that certain “projects we believe are a relatively lower priority or for which further research and analysis is necessary are now targeted for completion after the original June 11 target date.” It appears that the target date for these lower priority projects is December 2011.

The IASB and FASB identified the following projects as priority projects in the progress report:

• Financial instruments;
• Revenue recognition;
• Leases;
• Presentation of other comprehensive income;
• Fair value measurement;
• Improved disclosures about derecognized assets and other off-balance-sheet risks;
• Consolidations (particularly in relation to structured entities); and
• Insurance contracts.

While many companies may focus on the federal tax implications arising from the above convergence projects, important state tax implications must be considered as well.

State and Local Tax Implications of IFRS and GAAP Convergence
The IFRS and GAAP convergence will touch all facets of state and local tax, including tax accounting, income taxes, net worth taxes, as well as other areas. The following is a discussion of some of the state and local tax impacts:

Changes to Book Income = Changes to Federal and State Taxable Income
Book income statements and balance sheets are the starting point for both federal and state taxable income. Therefore, to the extent book income changes as a result of the IFRS convergence, federal taxable income will change, unless the IRS takes action to provide some relief to taxpayers. Further complicating matters, there is no certainty that states will follow the Service’s lead. As a result of massive budget deficits, states have shown a propensity for decoupling from certain federal provisions (e.g., Section 199 and bonus depreciation).

Revaluation Model Wreaks Havoc on Net Worth Taxes
IAS 16, "Property, Plant, and Equipment," permits two accounting models: the Cost Model and the Revaluation Model. The Cost Model is currently used under GAAP. The Revaluation Model requires that assets be carried at fair market value less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and impairment. Revaluations should be carried out regularly to ensure the carrying amount of an asset is not materially different than its fair market value.

Generally speaking, to the extent a revaluation results in an increase in value, the increase should be credited directly to equity under “revaluation surplus.” The revaluation surplus will accumulate in equity, and therefore should have an adverse impact on a taxpayer’s net worth or capital-based tax liabilities. A decrease resulting from revaluation would first reduce any accumulated revaluation surplus and any remaining amount would be recognized as an expense.

Uncertain Tax Positions: IAS 37 vs. FIN 48
IAS 12, "Income Taxes," the IFRS equivalent to FAS 109, Accounting for Income Taxes, does not address the treatment of uncertain tax positions. IAS 12 looks to IAS 37, "Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets," for guidance.

By now, everyone is familiar with the FIN 48 two-step approach: (1) recognition — is the position more likely than not to be sustained based on its technical merits if all facts are known, and if so, (2) measurement — determine the amount of the potential benefit that can be recognized in the financial statements. IAS 37 employs a drastically different method by using the probability-weighted average of all possible outcomes to arrive at the “expected outcome.” Therefore, the potential of discovery and settlement can be considered when determining the potential financial statement benefit.

No More LIFO?
The definition of “inventory” pursuant to IAS 2, "Inventories," is similar to the GAAP definition of “inventories.” However, the last in, first out (LIFO) method of accounting is prohibited under IAS 2 (FIFO and the weighted average cost methods are permitted). Currently, the “LIFO conformity” rules in IRC Section 472(c) provide that a taxpayer electing LIFO for income tax purposes must also elect LIFO for financial reporting purposes. Hypothetically, if taxpayers are forced to change their accounting method from LIFO to FIFO, they could be required to collapse their LIFO layers and, thus, take into income the recapture of the LIFO reserves.

A question then arises as to whether the IRS will provide some type of relief from the above scenario resulting from the elimination of LIFO for book purposes and whether states will follow suit.

Revenue Recognition Rules Effect on Sales Factor
IAS 18, Revenue Recognition, provides that revenue should be recognized when it is probable that any future economic benefit associated with the item of revenue will flow to the entity and the amount of revenue can be measured with reliability. While this treatment is not all that disparate from the revenue recognition rules under GAAP, there may be some items that are either accelerated or deferred, whereby affecting a taxpayer’s sales factor.

Lightning Round: Other Issues to Consider

• How will changes to the treatment of stock-based compensation affect the payroll factor?
• How will the required move away from LIFO and the subsequent revaluation of inventories affect the property factor?
• How will changes in the revenue recognition rules affect gross receipts taxes?
• How will the revaluation model affect property taxes?

Alvarez & Marsal Taxand Says:
Be prepared. We have only scratched the surface of the significant state and local tax implications of the IFRS and GAAP convergence. As we go farther down the path of convergence, more significant issues will become apparent. So, as the SEC continues down its roadmap to adoption, tax departments should be developing their own roadmaps to address the convergence.

Disclaimer
As provided in Treasury Department Circular 230, this publication is not intended or written by Alvarez & Marsal Taxand, LLC, (or any Taxand member firm) to be used, and cannot be used, by a client or any other person or entity for the purpose of avoiding tax penalties that may be imposed on any taxpayer.

The information contained herein is of a general nature and based on authorities that are subject to change. Readers are reminded that they should not consider this publication to be a recommendation to undertake any tax position, nor consider the information contained herein to be complete. Before any item or treatment is reported or excluded from reporting on tax returns, financial statements or any other document, for any reason, readers should thoroughly evaluate their specific facts and circumstances, and obtain the advice and assistance of qualified tax advisors. The information reported in this publication may not continue to apply to a reader's situation as a result of changing laws and associated authoritative literature, and readers are reminded to consult with their tax or other professional advisors before determining if any information contained herein remains applicable to their facts and circumstances.

About Alvarez & Marsal Taxand
Alvarez & Marsal Taxand, an affiliate of Alvarez & Marsal (A&M), a leading global professional services firm, is an independent tax group made up of experienced tax professionals dedicated to providing customized tax advice to clients and investors across a broad range of industries. Its professionals extend A&M's commitment to offering clients a choice in advisors who are free from audit-based conflicts of interest, and bring an unyielding commitment to delivering responsive client service. A&M Taxand has offices in major metropolitan markets throughout the U.S., and serves the U.K. from its base in London.

Alvarez & Marsal Taxand is a founding member of Taxand, the first global network of independent tax advisors that provides multinational companies with the premier alternative to Big Four audit firms. Formed in 2005 by a small group of highly respected tax firms, Taxand has grown to more than 2,000 tax professionals, including 300 international partners based in nearly 50 countries.

To learn more, visit www.alvarezandmarsal.com or www.taxand.com.