Income tax expense represents the sum of the tax currently payable and deferred tax.
The tax currently payable is based on taxable profit for the year. Taxable profit differs from profit as reported in the statement of comprehensive income because of items of income or expense that are taxable or deductible in other years and items that are never taxable or deductible. The company's liability for current tax is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the end of the reporting period.
Deferred tax is provided on the liability method to take account of timing differences between the treatment of certain items for accounts purposes and their treatment for tax purposes. Tax deferred or accelerated is accounted for in respect of all material timing differences.