2.15 Current and deferred income tax
The tax expense for the year comprises current and deferred tax. Tax is recognised in the Consolidated Statement of Income.
The current income tax charge is calculated on the basis of the tax laws enacted or substantially enacted at the balance sheet date in the countries where the Company’s subsidiaries operate and generate taxable income. The computation of the income tax expense involves the interpretation of applicable tax laws and regulations in many jurisdictions. The resolution of tax positions taken by the Group, through negotiations with relevant tax authorities or through litigation, can take several years to complete and in some cases it is difficult to predict the ultimate outcome.
Deferred income tax is recognised, using the liability method, on temporary differences arising between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts in the Consolidated Financial Statements. Deferred income tax is determined using tax rates (and laws) that have been enacted or substantially enacted as of the balance sheet date and are expected to apply when the related deferred income tax asset is realised or the deferred income tax liability is settled.
In addition, the Group has tax-loss carry-forwards in certain taxing jurisdictions that are available to be offset against future taxable profit. However, deferred tax assets are recognised only to the extent that it is probable that taxable profit will be available against which the unused tax losses can be utilized. Management judgment is exercised in assessing whether this is the case. To the extent that actual outcomes differ from management’s estimates, taxation charges or credits may arise in future periods.
Deferred income tax liabilities are provided on taxable temporary differences arising from investments in subsidiaries and joint arrangements, except for deferred income tax liability where the timing of the reversal of the temporary difference is controlled by the Group and it is probable that the temporary difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future. The Group is able to control the timing of dividends from its subsidiaries and hence does not expect taxable profit. Hence deferred tax is recognised in respect of the retained earnings of overseas subsidiaries only if at the date of the statements of financial position, dividends have been accrued as receivable or a binding agreement to distribute past earnings in future has been entered into by the subsidiary. As mentioned above the Group does not expect that the temporary differences will revert in the foreseeable future. In the event that these differences revert in total (e.g. dividends are declared and paid), the deferred tax liability which the Group would have to recognise amounts to approximately US$ 12,300,000.
Deferred tax balances are provided in full, with no discounting.
