The relationship between accounting and taxation

Abstract

Although accounting principles and practice normally form the basis for tax assessment, there are reasons why there should be variations between the figures used for commercial accounting and tax assessment. These include the different purposes of commercial accounting and taxation, difficulties in defining economic concepts and the administrative effectiveness required of a tax system. This paper also examines recent developments in the UK and discusses the wider perspective of practice in Europe. It concludes that the relationship between accounting and taxation is an evolving one and further developments are to be expected.