When this guide is useful
This fictional case concerns equipment ordered before year-end.
The distinction that matters
The example separates purchase, payment, delivery and readiness for intended use. It does not assume that an invoice date determines depreciation timing.
A worked situation to investigate
A fictional manufacturer pays in December, receives equipment after the holiday and completes testing in January.
The example is illustrative. Begin with the underlying event and its source documents, then separate missing facts from disagreements about their treatment. Work through the checks below in the order that matches your file, rather than treating a completed checklist as a tax conclusion.
Build a traceable handoff
Identify the affected person, entity or property and the relevant period. Keep original evidence, corrections and the reviewer's written conclusion connected. If the facts change after review, preserve the earlier version and ask whether the change affects implementation.