With the grounding of its 737 MAX aircraft after two crashes, production issues in the 787 Dreamliner program, and delays with its 777X program, Boeing reported significant losses over the years, 2020-2023. That led to tax benefits for losses carried forward for tax purposes, resulting in increases in deferred tax assets. With loss carry forwards, firms must assess whether it is more likely or not that they will not have future profits against which they can realize the tax benefit. If so, they must record a valuation allowance, reducing deferred tax assets, as explained in chapter 10. Boeing decided to record the valuation allowance ($ millions):
| 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net profit (loss) before tax | (2,259) | (14,476) | (5,033) | (5,022) | (2,005) |
| Income tax benefit (expense) | 1,623 | 2,535 | 743 | (31) | (237) |
| Valuation allowance | 118 | 3,094 | 2,243 | 3,162 | 4,550 |
Chapter 10 vividly reports the effect on net income when Delta Air Lines reversed its valuation allowance. Beware: If Boeing judges at any time in the future that it is more than 50% likely it will return to profitability, it will reverse the valuation allowance, increasing reported profit.  This is not sustainable profit. That is  bleed back.