If the deferred tax process results from an individual difference, the deferred tax liability declines in those years where the tax payment exceeds the tax expense. Then, an argument can be made, as the FASB has, that the deferred tax liability represents a future sacrifice. However, as it is discussed above, liability recognition for individual differences is dependent upon future occurrence of aggregate income or loss, which clearly violates a liability recognition criterion. If on the other hand, one views the deferred tax process from an aggregate perspective, considering the joint effects of many differences, the deferred asset or liability balances may grow and remain on the company's balance sheet indefinitely. Although an item may represent a future sacrifice of assets, the sacrifice will be avoided indefinitely if the company continues to act in ways that at least maintain its production capacity. Accordingly, many deferred tax items do not satisfy the liability definition if viewed in the aggregate since company policy on capacity maintenance can postpone aggregate reversals.