Unearned Revenue question

Hey guys,

Quick question I've been struggling with in regards to unearned revenue. Very simple example:
Newspaper company sells 1 year sub for 1200 (100/month)
Cash +1200
Unearned Rev +1200

Now, at the end of 1Q:
I/S;
Revenue +300

B/S;
Cash same = 1200
Unearned Rev -300 --> 900
Retained earnings-->SH equity +300 -->300
Assets (1200) = L (900)+ SE (300)

My concern is that when adjusting liabilities for when the revenue is actually earned and reported on I/S, how do you adjust the Cash? As the "earned revenue" flows through the I/S, it will no doubt be subjected to opex and tax expenses which will reduce bottom line net income (and therein, retained earnings-->SH equity).

So e.g.
I/S;
Revenue +300
Net income ~175

B/S;
Cash ?
Unearned revenue -300 =900
SH equity +175
Assets (1200) =/= L(900)+SE(175)

How do you balance?

Hopefully this makes sense to someone.

Thanks for any help!

6 Comments
 

oh geez just build a cashflow statement. net income -decrease in unearned revenue

so cash goes down...

 

Unearned revenue creates a temporary difference between pre-tax and taxable income. This results in the creation of a DTA since you are required to pay taxes on the $1200 right now before you start recognizing it on your I/S. Assuming no other temporary differences and a 40% tax rate, you would have a DTA of $480. This will be in your current assets and depleted every quarter as unearned revenue is converted to revenue on the I/S. Let me know if you need a more complete explanation of how the numbers flow through the statements quarter to quarter.

 
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