Amortization of Customer-Based Intangibles

Author

Gary K. Therien, Fontbonne College

Year of Award

1991

Degree

Master of Science in Taxation (MST)

College

College of Business & Professional Studies

Degree Program

Taxation

Department

Business Administration

Keywords

assets, deposits, depreciation, taxpayer, business

Abstract

The term "intangible asset" is not specifically defined nor does it lend itself to precise definition. Intangible assets enable the tangible assets of a business to produce income. For example, a copyright has no value other than the material it covers. No definition has been articulated by the courts or the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for intangible property. Generally, property is deemed to be intangible and the question of amortization is the issue.

The intangibles Bill H.R. 3035 probably will not become law in 1991. The bill is suppose to be revenue neutral and some of the proposed changes would necessarily jeopardize that neutrality. Of course, any revenue shortfall would have to come from other sources through tax legislation. Hopefully, in spite of jeopardizing this neutrality, the bill will be passed simplifying the tax treatment of intangibles eliminating many of the problems the taxpayer, the legal system and the IRS experience in dealing with the taxation of intangibles.

Document Type

Restricted Thesis

Recommended Citation

Therien, Gary K., "Amortization of Customer-Based Intangibles" (1991). All Theses, Dissertations, and Capstone Projects. 374.
https://griffinshare.fontbonne.edu/all-etds/374