Question

Benton County includes an independent school district and two individually chartered towns within the County. Benton County's Treasurer assesses and collects property taxes on behalf itself, the school district, and towns. The County uses a tax collection custodian fund to record tax collections for the school district and towns. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the following transactions took place:

1. The County levied taxes as followed:

Bebton County General Fund $25,000,000

School District 12,500,000

Towns 2,500,000

Total $40,000,000

2. The property taxes levied in part (a) were collected.

3. The amounts collected were paid to the school district and towns.

Required:

a. Prepare journal entries for Benton County and the Benton County Independent School District - identify the funds.

b. Will tax collection funds typically report a non-zero net position? Explain.

c. Are there other custodial funds that typically report a positive net position? Give an example.

Answer 1

Answer :

A. Journals to be recorded as follows:

Cash A/c                                                             Dr                         $40,000,000

Property tax A/c                                                  Cr                          $25,000,000

Tax collection custodial fund A/c                        Cr                          $15,000,000

Tax collection custodial fund A/c                         Dr                          $15,000,000

School District A/c                                               Cr                          $14,750,000

Towns A/c                                                            Cr                           $2,500,000

School District A/c                                                Dr                          $14,750,000

Towns A/c                                                             Dr                           $2,500,000

Cash A/c                                                               Cr                         $15,000,000

B. Yes, the tax collection fund will report a non-zero net position.

C. Yes, other custodial funds report a positive net position.

Explanation:

A. The first journal reflects the collection of property taxes for self and for the school districts.

The second journal reflects the voucher accounted for transferring the tax collection custodial fund to respective accounts

The third journal reflects the payment of the collected amount to respective parties.

B. The taxes collected on behalf of the town and school district will be paid at the end to the respective parties, leaving the net balance zero.

C. It includes all the funds held by the sellers in relation to the Serviced Mortgage Loans in the Custodial Accounts