cash method

cash method

An accounting method employed by individuals for preparation of their taxes,and often used by small businesses.Income is counted when the money is actually received by the taxpayer,and expenses are counted during the period in which they are actually paid.Contrast with the accrual method, in which income is counted when it is earned, whether or not it results in money during that period, and expenses are counted when they are incurred, regardless of when they are actually paid.Cash method accounting can dramatically skew financial statements,making properties appear profitable solely as a result of holding bills and not paying them until another period.