Problem 1: How would you describe the difference between a tax refund and a tax benefit?
Problem 2: What are the chances that a company will have 20 years of losses to actually use a loss carryforward (and still be in business)? How do accounting principles support holding an asset in the balance for this long?
Problem 3: There are situations where using the carryforward (even when carryback is available) makes more sense. What role does anticipated or known future tax rates play in the decision?