IAS 12, IAS 16 and IAS 36: Deferred taxes, depreciation and impairment of assets

This study analyzes the interaction between IAS 12 (Deferred Taxes), IAS 16 (Depreciation and Amortization), and IAS 36 (Impairment of Assets), assessing their impact on financial statement presentation and corporate tax planning. A quantitative methodology was employed, using a non-experimental, explanatory-level design based on structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The analysis was conducted on accounting data from 50 companies listed in the Superintendencia del Mercado de Valores (SMV) during the period 2022–2024, selected from asset-intensive industries. The empirical results confirmed that depreciation has a significant effect on asset impairment (β = 0.712, p < 0.001) and deferred taxes (β = 0.208, p < 0.001), while asset impairment exerts an even greater influence on deferred taxes (β = 0.803, p < 0.001). The coefficient of determination (R²) for IAS 12 was 0.926, indicating a high explanatory power of the model, while the R² for IAS 36 was 0.506, reflecting moderate predictive power. Factor analysis, external loadings, and discriminant validity confirmed the robustness and reliability of the model structure. These results demonstrate the existence of a systematic relationship between depreciation and amortization policies, impairment losses, and the generation of deferred tax assets and liabilities. The correct application of IAS 16 ensures that the value of assets is allocated objectively over their useful lives, accurately reflecting their ability to generate economic benefits. IAS 36 requires periodic assessments of recoverable amounts, which allows for the timely recognition of impairment losses and avoids overstatements in the financial statements. IAS 12 regulates the accounting treatment of temporary differences resulting from these practices, directly linking management accounting to future tax obligations. The study provides current empirical evidence on the interaction between these standards in SMEs, demonstrating that their coordinated application increases the transparency, reliability, and usefulness of financial information, while improving processes related to tax planning, financial control, and strategic decision-making in accordance with international standards.