The nature of timing differences and permanent differences

Abstract

The disruption of the causal relationship between the amount of tax payable and book income, in the case of a difference between book income and taxable income, can be permanent or temporary. This distinction is mostly referred to as the distinction between permanent differences and timing differences. In the case of permanent differences it is impossible to restore the causal relationship between book income and the amount of tax payable. So let us first look at these permanent differences.