FINANCIAL REPORTING AND TAXATION: THE GLOBAL DEBATE

Abstract

Publication of monetary information will be virtually useless or meaningless if its users cannot obtain maximum utility from it. Such report should facilitate its users’ decision-making processes. Traditionally, there is a general belief that there are strong links between accounting and tax regulations and that the enduring effect of taxation on accounting ought to promote the usefulness of accounting to the tax authority. In reality, however, extant literature indicates that hot debate is still on-going concerning the reasonableness of making financial reports to conform with what tax authorities require. Using exploratory research design, this work presents an update on this controversy. The paper found that the diversity in the information requirements and desire by tax for more financial reports that are useful for decision making necessitates a rethink concerning the emphasis on what ought to be the general purpose of financial information reporting.