Costello Corporation reported pretax book income of $500,400. During the current year, the reserve for bad debts increased by $5,800. In addition, tax depreciation exceeded book depreciation by $40,400. Finally, Costello received $3,200 of tax-exempt life insurance proceeds from the death of one of its officers. Costello's deferred income tax expense or benefit would be

$7,266 net deferred tax expense.

Explanation:

Calculation to determine what deferred income tax expense or benefit would be

Using this formula

Deferred income tax expense=[(Tax depreciation exceeded book depreciation-Increase in reserve for bad debts)* Tax rate ]

Let plug in the formula

Deferred income tax expense=[($40,400-$5,800)*21%]

Deferred income tax expense=34,600*21%

Deferred income tax expense=$7,266

Therefore the deferred income tax expense or benefit would be $7,266