Publication 334 |
2001 Tax Year |
Testing Gross Profit Accuracy
If you are in a retail or wholesale business, you can check the
accuracy of your gross profit figure. First, divide gross profit by
net receipts. The resulting percentage measures the average spread
between the merchandise cost of goods sold and the selling price.
Next, compare this percentage to your markup policy. Little or no
difference between these two percentages shows that your gross profit
figure is accurate. A large difference between these percentages may
show that you did not accurately figure sales, purchases, inventory,
or other items of cost. You should determine the reason for the
difference.
Example.
Joe Able operates a retail business. On the average, he marks up
his merchandise so that he will realize a gross profit of 33 1/3% on its sales. The net receipts (gross receipts minus returns
and allowances) shown on his income statement is $300,000. His cost of
goods sold is $200,000. This results in a gross profit of $100,000
($300,000 - $200,000). To test the accuracy of this year's
results, Joe divides gross profit ($100,000) by net receipts
($300,000). The resulting 33 1/3% confirms his markup
percentage of 33 1/3%.
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