FASB Seeks Public Comment on Proposed Enhancements to Income Tax Disclosures

Norwalk, CT—March 15, 2023—The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) today published a proposed Accounting Standards Update (ASU) that addresses requests for improved income tax disclosures from investors, lenders, creditors, and other allocators of capital (collectively, “investors”) that use the financial statements to make capital allocation decisions. Stakeholders are encouraged to review and provide comment on the proposed ASU by May 30, 2023.

“The FASB’s proposed enhancements to income tax disclosures, primarily related to the rate reconciliation and income taxes paid information, are intended to help investors better assess how an entity’s worldwide operations and related tax risks and tax planning and operational opportunities affect its tax rate and prospects for future cash flows,” stated FASB Chair Richard R. Jones. “We encourage all stakeholders to review and share their views on the proposed changes and whether they believe those proposed changes would improve this important area of financial reporting.”

During the FASB’s 2021 agenda consultation process and other stakeholder outreach, investors expressed concerns that existing income tax disclosures do not provide sufficient information to understand the tax provision for an entity that operates in multiple jurisdictions. Investors currently rely on the rate reconciliation table and other disclosures, including total income taxes paid in the statement of cash flows, to evaluate income tax risks and opportunities. While investors said they generally find these disclosures helpful, they suggested possible enhancements to better (1) understand an entity’s exposure to potential changes in jurisdictional tax legislation and the ensuing risks and opportunities, (2) assess income tax information that affects cash flow forecasts and capital allocation decisions, and (3) identify potential opportunities to increase future cash flows.

The amendments in this proposed ASU would address investor requests for more transparency about income tax information, including jurisdictional information, by requiring (1) consistent categories and greater disaggregation of information in the rate reconciliation and (2) income taxes paid disaggregated by jurisdiction.

The proposed ASU, including information on how to submit comments, is available at www.fasb.org.