What is the effect of a $100 inventory write-down on the income statement?

When a company performs a $100 inventory write-down, it recognizes that the value of its inventory has decreased, and this loss must be accounted for in the financial statements. The inventory write-down directly affects the cost of goods sold (COGS) on the income statement, as it increases COGS by the amount of the write-down.

In this case, the write-down increases COGS by $100, which leads to a decrease in gross profit. Since gross profit is ultimately the starting point for calculating net income, this reduction flows through the income statement, resulting in a decrease in net income by the same amount—$100.

However, it's important to note that the tax impact of the write-down will also be a factor. Assuming a typical corporate tax rate of 30%, the net effect on net income after tax would actually be $70, as the write-down decreases the taxable income, providing a tax shield. Therefore, while the initial decline in net income from the write-down is $100, the tax effect reduces this impact to an overall decline of $70 when accounting for taxes.

This understanding highlights how write-downs can influence not just inventory values but also the overall financial performance as presented in the income statement, providing insight