merge: P4b S7, bad debts (branch S7, 4b4fecb9)

The fourth of the paused branches: Ledger::write_off and the bad_debts
control role, invoice.written_off with its evidence filed in the same
store call, books.write_off_invoice, the write-off on the timeline and
in Needs attention, Lean writeOff_within_bounds, rules.md B-41 and the
bookspec examples. Twenty-eight files conflicted with the S4.4, S5 and
S6 merges; resolved as plan 8.0.2 says, keeping both sides' appends with
their seams restored, and: the scope table at 125; S7's law numbered 37;
B-41 placed before B-42; the handbook's step 4 and recovery procedures
folded into the one invoices-and-bills section; S7's wire tests in their
own module with the confirm S4.4's contract needs; S7's copy of the
payment steps dropped (S6 replaced them with Ledger::settle) and its
write-off journaled through S6's journal_auto_lines; in the old-books
fixture S7's hand-written write-off moved to a second invoice, since
S6's hand-written payment settles invoice 1 in full.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Fable 5.1 <noreply@anthropic.com>
Claude-Session: https://claude.ai/code/session_01HS8WZziDnyxunC23MUxrLp

README.md

@@ -264,6 +264,8 @@ the side gives the direction.
   on a receivables or payables account, where only an invoice, a bill or
   their payments post now (rules.md B-38, the control guard). Books that
   hold one must still read right, so the books take it as replay does.
+  The same line written today is a `refused = "untagged_control_line"`
+  event instead. An event cannot be both.
 - `close = { start, to, rounding? }` as an event: closes the period from
   `start` through the event's `date` (rules.md B-11, B-13), `to`
   `"members"` (split by share, in the order listed) or
@@ -303,9 +305,18 @@ the side gives the direction.
   the disposal entry.
 - `run_schedules = { through }` as an event: every schedule's months due
   through `through` posted (B-16).
-- `refused = "<reason>"` on a reversal or a command: the books refuse it,
-  for that reason (below); it changes nothing, posts nothing, and the
-  example goes on without it.
+- `write_off = { invoice, amount?, reason }` as an event, dated: writes
+  off the invoice event `invoice` (1-based; an `invoice` event before it)
+  posted, as a bad debt (rules.md B-41): Bad Debt Expense (6990) is
+  debited and Accounts Receivable credited, the receivable line tagged
+  with the invoice, and the evidence of worthlessness filed in the same
+  call. `amount` (an exact decimal above zero; left out, all the invoice
+  owes on the day) makes it partial. Refused on cash-basis books and
+  above what is owed.
+- `refused = "<reason>"` on a reversal, an entry or a command: the books
+  refuse it, for that reason (below); it changes nothing, posts nothing,
+  and the example goes on without it. An entry posts whole or not at all,
+  so a refused one leaves no draft behind.
 - `[[changes]]` `{ after, rename?, require_tax_category?, correct_asset?
   }`: a change that posts no entry, exactly one of `rename = { code, name
   }` (rename the account `code`, B-31), `require_tax_category = "warn"`
@@ -405,8 +416,10 @@ stands, or a run's change dated after the disposal's month isn't undone),
 disposal, a disposed asset's depreciation, a run re-instated twice or past
 its schedule, or a reversal dated before its run), `already_disposed`,
 `invalid_depreciation_period` (a month that ends before the asset is in
-service) and `invalid_schedule` (an equal-months schedule not starting on
-the 1st, among others).
+service), `invalid_schedule` (an equal-months schedule not starting on
+the 1st, among others) and `untagged_control_line` (a hand line on a
+receivables or payables control account, which only a document may post
+to: rules.md B-38's control guard).
 
 `cash_flow` (rules.md B-14): the statement of cash flows for `[from, to]`.
 

checker/src/rules.rs

@@ -165,6 +165,7 @@ pub fn rule_for_refusal(reason: &str) -> Option<&'static Rule> {
         | "already_disposed"
         | "invalid_depreciation_period" => 15,
         "invalid_schedule" => 16,
+        "untagged_control_line" => 38,
         _ => return None,
     };
     rule(b)
@@ -529,7 +530,7 @@ const SPEC: Spec = &[
         Area::Arap,
         "A document's figures are its ledger lines that stand; a control account is its documents",
         Some(Status::Choice),
-        &[],
+        &["arap-hand-control-posting-refused"],
     ),
     (
         39,
@@ -548,9 +549,9 @@ const SPEC: Spec = &[
     (
         41,
         Area::Arap,
-        "Write-offs (allocated, not yet stated)",
-        None,
-        &[],
+        "A debt that will not be collected is written off, and a recovery is income",
+        Some(Status::Choice),
+        &["bad-debt-direct-write-off"],
     ),
     (
         42,

checker/src/schema.rs

@@ -367,6 +367,9 @@ pub struct Event {
     /// An invoice.
     #[serde(default)]
     pub invoice: Option<InvoiceSpec>,
+    /// A bad-debt write-off of an earlier invoice.
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub write_off: Option<WriteOffSpec>,
     /// A depreciation run.
     #[serde(default)]
     pub run_depreciation: Option<RunSpec>,
@@ -409,6 +412,7 @@ impl Event {
             (EventKind::Close, self.close.is_some()),
             (EventKind::Bill, self.bill.is_some()),
             (EventKind::Invoice, self.invoice.is_some()),
+            (EventKind::WriteOff, self.write_off.is_some()),
             (EventKind::RunDepreciation, self.run_depreciation.is_some()),
             (EventKind::DisposeAsset, self.dispose_asset.is_some()),
             (EventKind::RunSchedules, self.run_schedules.is_some()),
@@ -445,6 +449,8 @@ pub enum EventKind {
     Bill,
     /// An invoice.
     Invoice,
+    /// A bad-debt write-off of an earlier invoice (rules.md B-41).
+    WriteOff,
     /// A depreciation run.
     RunDepreciation,
     /// A fixed asset's disposal.
@@ -464,6 +470,7 @@ impl EventKind {
             EventKind::Close => "close",
             EventKind::Bill => "bill",
             EventKind::Invoice => "invoice",
+            EventKind::WriteOff => "write_off",
             EventKind::RunDepreciation => "run_depreciation",
             EventKind::DisposeAsset => "dispose_asset",
             EventKind::RunSchedules => "run_schedules",
@@ -481,6 +488,7 @@ impl EventKind {
                 | EventKind::Close
                 | EventKind::Bill
                 | EventKind::Invoice
+                | EventKind::WriteOff
                 | EventKind::DisposeAsset
         )
     }
@@ -499,12 +507,14 @@ impl EventKind {
     }
 
     /// True when the books take it whole or not at all, so `refused` may
-    /// be given: a reversal or a command, never an entry, a close, a bill
-    /// or an invoice.
+    /// be given: a reversal, an entry or a command, never a close, a bill
+    /// or an invoice (those are corrected by a reversal). An entry posts
+    /// whole or not at all, so a hand line the control guard refuses is
+    /// one too.
     pub fn may_refuse(self) -> bool {
         !matches!(
             self,
-            EventKind::Lines | EventKind::Close | EventKind::Bill | EventKind::Invoice
+            EventKind::Close | EventKind::Bill | EventKind::Invoice
         )
     }
 
@@ -513,6 +523,7 @@ impl EventKind {
         !matches!(
             self,
             EventKind::Reverses
+                | EventKind::WriteOff
                 | EventKind::RunDepreciation
                 | EventKind::DisposeAsset
                 | EventKind::RunSchedules
@@ -582,6 +593,23 @@ pub struct InvoiceSpec {
     pub lines: Vec<DocumentLineSpec>,
 }
 
+/// A write-off of the invoice an earlier event posted (rules.md B-41;
+/// plan P4b S7): the invoice's event, what to write off and why.
+#[derive(Clone, Debug, PartialEq, Deserialize)]
+#[serde(deny_unknown_fields)]
+pub struct WriteOffSpec {
+    /// The event (1-based) whose invoice this writes off: an `invoice`
+    /// event before it.
+    pub invoice: usize,
+    /// How much to write off, an exact decimal string above zero; left
+    /// out, all the invoice owes on the day.
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub amount: Option<String>,
+    /// Why it will not be collected (collection correspondence, a
+    /// bankruptcy), one line.
+    pub reason: String,
+}
+
 /// One line of an invoice or a bill.
 #[derive(Clone, Debug, PartialEq, Deserialize)]
 #[serde(deny_unknown_fields)]
@@ -973,6 +1001,7 @@ pub fn refusal_reasons() -> impl Iterator<Item = &'static str> {
         "already_disposed",
         "invalid_depreciation_period",
         "invalid_schedule",
+        "untagged_control_line",
     ]
     .into_iter()
 }
@@ -1105,6 +1134,13 @@ impl Example {
                     "older is an entry's lines, as an earlier version wrote them".into(),
                 ));
             }
+            if ev.older && ev.refused.is_some() {
+                return Err(what(
+                    "an entry posted as an earlier version wrote it (older) can't also be \
+                     refused"
+                        .into(),
+                ));
+            }
             if ev.payee.is_some() && kind != EventKind::Lines {
                 return Err(what(
                     "a payee is an entry's: a reversal takes its original's, a bill names \
@@ -1198,6 +1234,26 @@ impl Example {
                     return Err(what("an invoice names its customer".into()));
                 }
             }
+            if let Some(w) = &ev.write_off {
+                if w.invoice < 1 || w.invoice >= n {
+                    return Err(what(format!(
+                        "write_off names event {}: an earlier invoice",
+                        w.invoice
+                    )));
+                }
+                if self.events[w.invoice - 1].invoice.is_none() {
+                    return Err(what(format!(
+                        "write_off names event {}, which is no invoice",
+                        w.invoice
+                    )));
+                }
+                if let Some(a) = &w.amount {
+                    check_amount(a, true, &what)?;
+                }
+                if w.reason.trim().is_empty() {
+                    return Err(what("a write-off says why it will not be collected".into()));
+                }
+            }
             if let Some(r) = &ev.run_depreciation {
                 check_month(&r.period, &what)?;
                 if !self.setup.assets.iter().any(|a| a.id == r.asset) {

examples/arap-hand-control-posting-refused.toml

@@ -0,0 +1,77 @@
+id = "arap-hand-control-posting-refused"
+title = "A hand line on receivables is refused; one an earlier version wrote still reads right"
+rule = "A line on a receivables or payables control account MUST carry its document, so a hand entry MUST be refused; an entry an earlier version wrote is replayed as it stands."
+status = "CHOICE"
+sources = [
+  "plan/served.md 8.3.1 A-6 (the owner: hand entries to 1200 and 2000 are refused)",
+  "plan/served.md D-45",
+  "ASC 310-10 (receivables)",
+  "ASC 405-20-40-1 (a liability is removed only when paid or released)",
+]
+tags = ["accrual", "book", "us", "receivables", "legacy"]
+
+[setup]
+currency = "USD"
+fiscal_year_start = "01-01"
+basis = "accrual"
+rounding = "half-even"
+
+[[setup.accounts]]
+code = "1000"
+name = "Checking"
+type = "asset"
+
+[[setup.accounts]]
+code = "1200"
+name = "Accounts Receivable"
+type = "asset"
+
+[[setup.accounts]]
+code = "4000"
+name = "Revenue"
+type = "revenue"
+
+# The invoice makes 1200 a control account: its balance is now its
+# documents'. The work was billed and the income counted.
+[[events]]
+date = "2026-01-10"
+description = "Survey work"
+invoice = { customer = "Ridgeway Co", amount = "100.00" }
+
+# A line an earlier version wrote by hand on 1200: this version's commands
+# refuse one, but books that hold it must still read right, so it is
+# posted as replay posts it.
+[[events]]
+date = "2026-01-15"
+description = "Receivable entered by hand"
+older = true
+lines = [
+  { account = "1200", side = "debit", amount = "50.00" },
+  { account = "4000", side = "credit", amount = "50.00" },
+]
+
+# The same line written today is refused: no document carries it.
+[[events]]
+date = "2026-01-20"
+description = "Another hand line"
+refused = "untagged_control_line"
+lines = [
+  { account = "1200", side = "debit", amount = "25.00" },
+  { account = "4000", side = "credit", amount = "25.00" },
+]
+
+[[expect]]
+query = "balances"
+as_of = "2026-12-31"
+[expect.values]
+"1000" = "0.00"
+"1200" = "150.00"
+"4000" = "150.00"
+
+[[expect]]
+query = "trial_balance"
+as_of = "2026-12-31"
+[expect.values]
+"1000" = "0.00"
+"1200" = "150.00"
+"4000" = "-150.00"

examples/bad-debt-direct-write-off.toml

@@ -0,0 +1,76 @@
+id = "bad-debt-direct-write-off"
+title = "An invoice that will not be collected is written off, in parts"
+rule = "A debt that becomes worthless MUST be written off in the year it becomes worthless, a partial write-off MUST be deductible to the extent charged off, and no write-off may exceed what is owed."
+status = "CHOICE"
+sources = [
+  "IRC §166(a)",
+  "IRC §111",
+  "Treas. Reg. §1.166-1(e)",
+  "Treas. Reg. §1.166-2(a)",
+  "Treas. Reg. §1.166-3(a)",
+  "plan/served.md 8.3.1 A-5: the direct write-off method",
+  "ASC 326-20 (noted: an allowance is the GAAP preference)",
+]
+tags = ["accrual", "book", "us", "receivables"]
+
+[setup]
+currency = "USD"
+fiscal_year_start = "01-01"
+basis = "accrual"
+rounding = "half-even"
+
+[[setup.accounts]]
+code = "1000"
+name = "Checking"
+type = "asset"
+
+[[setup.accounts]]
+code = "1200"
+name = "Accounts Receivable"
+type = "asset"
+
+[[setup.accounts]]
+code = "4000"
+name = "Revenue"
+type = "revenue"
+
+[[setup.accounts]]
+code = "6990"
+name = "Bad Debt Expense"
+type = "expense"
+tax_category = "bad_debts"
+
+# The work was done and billed: the invoice is income already counted.
+[[events]]
+date = "2026-01-10"
+description = "Survey work"
+invoice = { customer = "Ridgeway Co", amount = "100.00" }
+
+# Part of it is charged off when the collection efforts end; the rest
+# stays owed and aged.
+[[events]]
+date = "2026-03-15"
+write_off = { invoice = 1, amount = "40.00", reason = "No answer; the collection agency closed the file" }
+
+# The liquidation notice makes the rest worthless, and it is written off.
+[[events]]
+date = "2026-04-20"
+write_off = { invoice = 1, amount = "60.00", reason = "Liquidation notice received" }
+
+[[expect]]
+query = "balances"
+as_of = "2026-12-31"
+[expect.values]
+"1000" = "0.00"
+"1200" = "0.00"
+"4000" = "100.00"
+"6990" = "100.00"
+
+[[expect]]
+query = "trial_balance"
+as_of = "2026-12-31"
+[expect.values]
+"1000" = "0.00"
+"1200" = "0.00"
+"4000" = "-100.00"
+"6990" = "100.00"

spec/rules-index.md

@@ -6,10 +6,10 @@ what its statement rests on and the examples that demonstrate it.
 
 A rule whose only source is a human choice carries rules.md's **CHOICE**, bookspec's status of the same name:
 the specification names the options, an engine declares its pick
-(`claims.choices`, `bookspec_checker::Claims`). Rules B-39 to B-45 are
-allocated in `plan/served.md` 8.0.3; those not yet stated keep only
-their identifier and area here, so a later unit fills them in without
-moving anyone else's number.
+(`claims.choices`, `bookspec_checker::Claims`). Rules B-39, B-40 and B-43
+to B-45 are allocated in `plan/served.md` 8.0.3 and not yet stated: their
+identifier and area are fixed here so a later unit fills them in
+without moving anyone else's number.
 
 | B | bookspec id | area | status | rule | examples |
 |---|---|---|---|---|---|
@@ -50,10 +50,10 @@ moving anyone else's number.
 | B-35 | `BS-partner-3` | partner | CONVENTION | A party's part of an entry, and a party's totals | `p3-party-accrual-counts-once`, `p3-party-distribution-still-owed`, `p3-party-gift-card-is-a-promise`, `p3-party-members-equity-and-k1`, `p3-party-own-liability-never-pays`, `p3-party-reversed-card-payment`, `p3-party-signs-and-reversals` |
 | B-36 | `BS-partner-4` | partner | AUTHORITY | The K-1 worksheet reports tax-basis capital beside book capital | `partnership-k1-tax-basis-capital`, `partnership-k1-tax-basis-odd-cents` |
 | B-37 | `BS-statement-5` | statement | CHOICE | A project is a class with its facts; its figures are its tagged lines | `projects-invoice-and-bill-lines-count-by-project`, `projects-net-is-its-tagged-lines`, `projects-on-spec-costs-are-expenses` |
-| B-38 | `BS-arap-2` | arap | CHOICE | A document's figures are its ledger lines that stand; a control account is its documents | — |
+| B-38 | `BS-arap-2` | arap | CHOICE | A document's figures are its ledger lines that stand; a control account is its documents | `arap-hand-control-posting-refused` |
 | B-39 | `BS-arap-3` | arap | — | Terms: when a document is due (allocated, not yet stated) | — |
 | B-40 | `BS-arap-4` | arap | — | Numbers and the issued copy (allocated, not yet stated) | — |
-| B-41 | `BS-arap-5` | arap | — | Write-offs (allocated, not yet stated) | — |
+| B-41 | `BS-arap-5` | arap | CHOICE | A debt that will not be collected is written off, and a recovery is income | `bad-debt-direct-write-off` |
 | B-42 | `BS-arap-6` | arap | CONVENTION | A settlement is exact, one party, and names its lines; the gross discount and the gross fee | — |
 | B-43 | `BS-entry-5` | entry | — | Drafts and evidence (allocated, not yet stated) | — |
 | B-44 | `BS-ledger-12` | ledger | — | Extraction and dedup (allocated, not yet stated) | — |