Chapter 4 Flashcards
Why do we have taxes?
to finance government activities
What fraction of each dollar earned goes toward taxes?
1/3 of each dollar earned goes to pay taxes
What are three general things to do when it comes to taxes?
know current tax laws as they affect you; maintain complete tax records; plan purchases and investments to reduce tax liability
What is tax planning?
taking advantage of tax benefits while paying the fair share of taxes
The top 1% of taxpayers pay what percentage of all taxes?
38.1%
The top 5% of taxpayers pay what percentage of all taxes?
next 20.9%
The top 10% of taxpayers pay what percentage of all taxes?
next 11.2%
The top 25% of taxpayers pay what percentage of all taxes?
next 16.2%
Overall, the top 25% of taxpayers pay what percentage of taxes?
86%
Define sales tax
added to purchase price of product
Define excise tax
imposed on select G&S (e.g. gas, cigarettes, alcohol, tires, airfare, etc.)
Define ad valorem.
tax based on the assessed value of an item such as real estate or personal property
Define real estate property tax.
ad valorem
Define personal property tax.
imposed on personal property (e.g. cars, boats, furniture)
What are the four main types of taxes?
taxes on purchases, taxes on property, taxes on wealth, taxes on earnings
What is the federal estate tax?
paid by decedent and imposed on value of decedent’s property as of date of death or alt. valuation date, if estate > $11,180,000
What is the gift tax?
paid by donor on gifts > $18,000
What is the state inheritance tax?
paid by donee and levied on value of decedent’s property bequeathed to donee
What is the income tax?
tax on income levied at both the state and federal levels
Which 9 states do not levy income tax?
TX, WA, FL, NV, AK, SD, TN, NH and WY
What is the Social Security tax?
on wages of $128,400 (2018) to finance OASDHI benefits of SS program
What is taxable income?
net income, after deductions, on which income tax is computed
What is step 1 in computing your tax liability?
Determining adjusted gross income (AGI)
What are four types of taxable income?
earned income, investment income, passive income, other income
What is earned income?
includes wages, salary, commissions, fees, tips or bonuses
What is investment income?
(a.k.a., portfolio income) money from dividends, interest, or rent from investments
What is passive income?
from business activities -you do not directly participate -limited partnership
What is other income?
includes alimony, awards, lottery winnings, and prizes
Total income is affected by
exclusions
(T/F) Exclusions are included in gross income.
False, they are NOT included in gross income.
Give three examples of exclusions.
Gifts (less than or equal to $15,000 for 2018); employer-paid health premiums; earned foreign income (less than or equal to $104,100 for 2018)
What is tax-exempt income?
income not subject to federal income tax (e.g. interest on most municipal bonds)
What is tax-deferred income?
income that will be taxed at a later date
Give an example of tax-deferred income?
earnings from a traditional IRA
What is adjusted gross income?
gross income after certain “adjustments to income” have been made
Give four examples of adjustments to gross income.
contributions to a traditional IRA; alimony payments; student loan interest/tuition/fee deductions; tax-deferred retirement plan contributions such as a 401(k) or a 403(b)(7) tax shelter
What is step 2 in computing your tax liability?
computing taxable income
What is a tax deduction?
an amount subtracted from AGI to arrive at taxable income
How do you compute the tax deduction?
Either subtract the “standard deduction” from AGI on
Form 1040 or “itemize” your deductions on Sch. A
What is a standard deduction?
set amount on which no tax is paid