What was the reported total for Best Western's net deferred tax assets in 2023?
Best_Western Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
6% and 16.4%, respectively, noting the effective tax rate for 2022 is lower compared to 2023 primarily due to a non-recurring portion of the research and development tax credits related to prior years.
November 30, 2023
The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities as of November 30, 2023 and 2022, are presented below:
| As of November 30, | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | 2023 | 2022 | ||
| Deferred tax assets: | ||||
| Loyalty program | $ 32,756 | $ 33,375 | ||
| Deferred revenue | 9,492 | 10,017 | ||
| Deferred compensation plans | 4,977 | 5,766 | ||
| Allowance for doubtful accounts | 4,053 | 4,286 | ||
| Net operating loss | 3,521 | 3,367 | ||
| Capitalized R&D expenses | 3,436 | - | ||
| Compensated absences | 1,779 | 1,519 | ||
| Acquisition of new trademarks and trade names | 626 | 690 | ||
| Tax credits | 572 | 572 | ||
| Travel Card liability | 506 | 646 | ||
| Free night voucher liability | 198 | 333 | ||
| Total deferred tax assets | 61,916 | 60,571 | ||
| Deferred tax liabilities: | ||||
| Fixed assets | $ 7,350 | $ 6,354 | ||
| Prepaid expenses | 1,791 | 1,614 | ||
| Other | 1,191 |
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 108–413)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Best Western's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the company's net deferred tax assets as of November 30, 2023, totaled $47,276,000. This figure represents the difference between the company's total deferred tax assets of $61,916,000 and the deferred tax liabilities of $10,472,000, after accounting for a valuation allowance of $4,168,000. These deferred tax assets and liabilities arise from temporary differences between the book and tax bases of assets and liabilities.
Deferred tax assets generally represent future tax benefits, such as carryforwards of net operating losses or tax credits, that can be used to reduce taxable income in future years. Deferred tax liabilities, on the other hand, represent future tax obligations that will result in taxable income in future years when the related assets are recovered or the related liabilities are settled. The valuation allowance is a reduction of deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.
For a prospective Best Western franchisee, understanding these figures may not have an immediate direct impact on their day-to-day operations. However, it provides insight into the financial health and tax strategies of the parent company. A strong net deferred tax asset position can indicate that Best Western is effectively managing its tax obligations and has the potential to reduce its future tax burden, which indirectly benefits the entire franchise system through increased financial stability.