Which of the following best explains why a business incurs business overhead expenses?

• A. To reduce the amount of taxes owed on profits
• B. To record capital investments in long-term assets
• C. To cover ongoing operational costs that are not directly tied to specific products or services
• D. To increase the value of inventory on hand

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of business overhead expenses: These are costs that a business incurs to maintain its operations but are not directly tied to the production of goods or services. Examples include rent, utilities, salaries of administrative staff, and insurance.
2. Analyze the options provided in the question: Each option represents a different potential reason for incurring overhead expenses. Evaluate each one based on the definition and purpose of overhead expenses.
3. Option 1: 'To reduce the amount of taxes owed on profits' - This is not correct because overhead expenses are not incurred for tax reduction purposes; they are necessary for the ongoing operation of the business.
4. Option 2: 'To record capital investments in long-term assets' - This is incorrect because capital investments are recorded separately and are not considered overhead expenses.
5. Option 3: 'To cover ongoing operational costs that are not directly tied to specific products or services' - This is correct because it aligns with the definition of overhead expenses, which are necessary to support the business's operations as a whole.