Some nations still allow companies to deduct foreign bribes from their taxes.

The board's ruling will require companies to deduct those costs as they would any other business expense.

"Under the tax laws, there is a $1 million cap that a company can deduct for any of its executive officers' compensation," he said.

Rather than pay the premium increases themselves, companies are deducting much of the additional cost from employee paychecks.

As regular accounting practice, the company does not immediately deduct a show's costs, like advertising, stage sets and costumes, from its bottom line.

Ms. Olson said that since companies were deducting interest on the payments, the dividends would not be tax free.

The company will pay all closing costs, provide accommodations and deduct the buyer's air fare from the sale price.

In addition, the company can deduct the manufacturing cost.

But companies financed with equity, or stock, cannot deduct their dividend payments.

The board last tried to make companies deduct options from profits in 1995.