Legal Definitions - all-events test

Definition: The all-events test is a rule in taxation that requires an accrual-method taxpayer to wait until all events that determine their right to receive income or incur expenses have occurred before reporting them on their tax return.

Example: Let's say a company provides services to a client in December but doesn't receive payment until January. Under the all-events test, the company cannot report the income until January when they have received payment, even though the services were provided in December.

Explanation: The all-events test ensures that income and expenses are reported in the correct tax year. In the example, the company cannot report the income until they have received payment because that is the event that fixes their right to receive the income. If they were allowed to report the income in December, it would be considered income for that tax year even though they had not yet received payment.