The Income Tax Provision Under ASC 740
Written by Aparna Devalla
Curated by Rubric Financial
Last updated
1 / 5
What the Tax Provision Is
- The income tax provision is the total income tax expense reported on your GAAP income statement each period.
- It combines current tax owed for the period with deferred tax from timing differences between books and tax.
- ASC 740 governs how companies measure and disclose income taxes in financial statements prepared under US GAAP.
- The provision is a book concept and differs from the cash taxes you actually pay on your tax return.
Related Resources
International Contractors and Global Payroll
A practical guide to paying people abroad, choosing between contractors, an employer of record, and your own entity, and handling withholding.
Tax & ComplianceISOs vs NSOs: Structuring Option Grants
How Incentive Stock Options and Non-Qualified Stock Options differ in tax treatment, eligibility, and when to use each type in your startup's equity compensation plan.
Tax & ComplianceSection 754 Election: Step-Up Basis for Partnerships (and Why S-Corps Can't)
The §754 election is the mechanism that lets partnerships and LLCs step up the inside basis of their assets when a partner dies, transfers their interest, or takes a distribution. S-corps have no equivalent, a real cost founders often discover too late.
About the author
Aparna DevallaCPAHead of Tax & Accounting
CPA and Head of Tax & Accounting at StartupCFO. Specializes in multi-state tax compliance, R&D credits, and GAAP-compliant books for venture-backed startups.
More articles by Aparna →Related tools and reading
Priced Rounds and Term Sheets: Raising Capital guide
Selling preferred stock at a set price: the term sheet terms that matter more than the valuation.
InsightAustin Startup Tax Deadlines 2027: Texas Franchise Tax Calendar
Texas has no personal or corporate income tax, but Austin startup taxes are not zero. Here is the 2027 calendar for founders: the May franchise tax report, the Public Information Report, sales tax on SaaS, the new refundable R&D credit, Travis County property renditions, and the federal and Delaware dates layered on top.
GlossaryVesting Acceleration
Provision that vests unvested shares immediately upon a triggering event (acquisition, termination, or both).
InsightBoston Startup Tax Deadlines 2027: Massachusetts Calendar
Boston startup taxes run mostly through the state: the Massachusetts corporate excise with its $456 minimum, sales tax on SaaS, PFML contributions, and the 4% millionaire surtax that hits founders at exit. Here is the full 2027 calendar for a Delaware C-corp in Massachusetts.
GlossaryNSO (Non-qualified Stock Options)
Standard employee stock option taxed as ordinary income at exercise on the spread between exercise price and FMV.
InsightDecember 2026 Startup Tax Deadlines and Year-End Checklist
The December startup tax deadlines for 2026, plus the year-end checklist that sets up a clean January: the December 15 corporate estimate, W-2 and W-9 prep under the new $2,000 1099 threshold, accrual cleanup, 409A timing and Delaware prep.
Want a CPA to own this?
Deadlines tracked, estimates filed, and multi-state compliance handled across all 50 states, with expert sign-off.
No spam, ever. If the download doesn't start, email us.
Or talk it through: