stock option plans and bonuses related to periods longer than one year are examples of deferred compensation plans. if a firm can accurately measure the liability and is legally committed to payment, then the present value of the future compensation payment is recognized as an expense in the period in which the benefit is earned. cost accounting standards board (casb) regulations allow the same treatment in costing government contracts. however, such benefits cannot be deducted for income tax purposes until actually paid or funded, depending on the nature of the plan.