CPA - REG Tax Flashcards
How is shareholder basis calculated for a new interest in a Corporation?
Adjusted basis of property transferred + Gain recognized (if less than 80% ownership) - Boot received = Shareholder basis. If shareholders have 80% control after a property transfer, no taxable event occurs. If liabilities exceed basis on contributed property to a Corporation, a gain is recognized.
How is shareholder basis calculated for a TRANSFEROR of an interest in a Corporation?
Transferor’s basis
+ Gain recognized by shareholder
= Basis
OR
FMV of Corporate Interest
- Adjusted basis of property
= Gain
What basis do shareholders and Corporations use for property?
They both use ADJUSTED BASIS, NOT FMV of property.
Describe how loss is taken on Section 1244 small business Corporation stock?
A loss on worthless stock is an ordinary loss.
What are the requirements for taking an ordinary loss on Section 1244 small business Corporation stock?
Taxpayer must be original stock owner, and either an individual or partnership
$50k (single) or $100k (MFJ) limit - remainder is a capital loss
Must have been issued in exchange for money or property (not exchanged for services)
Shareholder equity must not be in excess of $1 million
Both common and preferred stock is allowed
What are the basic rules for filing a form 1120?
Return is due regardless of income level
Return is due 3/15 if on a calendar year basis, or 2 1/2 months after end of fiscal year
An automatic six-month extension is available
When are Corporate federal tax estimated payments required, and how are they calculated?
Required if more than $500 in tax liability expected, or
100% current year liability
100% previous year liability
Note: If Corporation had more than $1 Million in revenue the previous year, the first estimated payment must be based on the previous year and the remainder based on the current year.
Describe the AMT calculation for C-Corporations
Taxable Income \+Tax Preference Items \+/- Adjustments = Pre-ACE \+/- ACE Adjustments = AMTI - 40,000 Exemption = Tax Base x 20% = Tentative Minimum Tax - Regular Tax Liability = AMT
What are the pre-ACE adjustments for C-Corporation tax AMT calculations?
Real Estate purchased between 1986 and 1999 using Straight Line Depreciation must depreciate over a useful life of 40 years
Personal Property - use 150% MACRS, not 200%
Construction must use % completion method
What are the ACE adjustments in the C-Corporation AMT tax calculation?
Municipal Bond Interest
Life Insurance Proceeds
70% Dividends Received Deduction
Organizational Expenditures must be capitalized, not amortized
Note: AMT paid gets carried forward indefinitely, but never carried back
When are C-Corporations exempt from AMT?
In year one
In year two, if year one gross receipts were less than $5 Million
In year three, if the average gross receipts for years 1 and 2 were less than $7.5 Million
In year four and beyond, if the average from the previous 3 years is less than $7.5 Million
How are gains and losses handled with respect to a Corporation’s transactions involving its own stock?
Corporations have no gain/(loss) from transactions involving their own stock, including Treasury Stock.
If Corporation gets property in exchange for stock, there is no gain/(loss) on the transaction.
How are Corporate organization costs handled?
Amortization of costs begin the month the Corporation commences business activity
If the Corporation doesn’t amortize organization costs in year one, they can never be amortized
Costs associated with offerings are neither deductible nor amortized
How are a C-Corporation’s deductible charitable contributions calculated?
Sales -COGS= Gross Profit
Gross Profit + Rent, Royalties, Gross Dividends, Capital Gains
=Total Income
Total Income - Deductions (No charitable contributions, Dividends
Received Deductions (DRD), or NOL Carrybacks allowed)
- NOL Carryforwards
=Taxable Income before charitable contributions, DRD, NOL Carrybacks
x 10%
=Deductible Charitable Contributions
How are excess charitable contributions treated in a C-Corporations?
Excess charitable contributions get carried forward 5 consecutive years (No Carryback)
When can a board of directors authorize charitable contributions for a tax year?
The Board of Directors can authorized charitable contributions up to 3/15 and have them count in the previous tax year
How is the dividends received deduction (DRD) calculated, and what are the limitations?
80% Interest = 100% DRD
20-79% = 80% DRD
less than 20% = 70% DRD
Only allowed if no consolidated return is filed. Qualified dividends from domestic Corporations only.
What is the Dividends Received Deduction (DRD) calculation when there is a loss from operations?
Only take DRD % x Taxable Income
Note: If DRD brings a loss situation, then you can take the full DRD
If Taxable Income remains after DRD, only a partial DRD (T.I.. x DRD %) is allowed
How are Corporate losses on a sale to a Corporation where a taxpayer owns a 50% or more interest handled in a C-Corporation?
A loss on a sale to a Corporation where taxpayer owns a 50% or more interest is disallowed
How are capital losses handled in a C-Corporation?
Capital Losses are deductible only to the extent of Capital Gains
How are net short term capital gains taxed in a C-Corporation?
Net Short Term Capital Gains are taxed at ordinary income rates
How are Corporate losses carried back/forward?
Corporations can carry back losses 3 years and carry forward losses 5 years as a Short Term Capital Loss
How are bad debt losses handled in a Corporation?
Bad debt losses are classified as ordinary
What is the casualty loss floor for a C-Corporation?
No floor on Corporate casualty loss like there is with an individual taxpayer
If destroyed, the loss is the property’s basis (minus proceeds)
Calculation: Adjusted basis - Proceeds from Insurance = Loss
If partially destroyed, take the lesser of FMV or adjusted basis reduction (minus proceeds)
How are net operating losses handled in a C-Corporation?
If loss includes NOL Carryforward, reduce the loss (add back the amount) to get the loss without the Carryforward
Then, carry back the NOL 2 years starting with the earliest year and reduce the taxable income there and then move to the most recent year
Any leftover NOL = This year’s NOL
How is investment interest expense handled in a C-Corporation?
Unlike individual taxation, investment interest expense is not limited to investment income.
Investment interest on tax-free investments are NOT deductible.
What is the purpose of Schedule M-1 on a Corporate tax return? Which items are included?
Schedule M-1 reconciles book to tax income before Net Operating Loss/Dividend Received Deduction
Includes permanent differences (such as tax-exempt interest and non-deductible expenses) and temporary differences (accelerated depreciated tax depreciation, straight-line, etc.)
What is the purpose of Schedule M-2 on a Corporate tax return? How is it calculated?
Reconciles beginning to ending retained earnings
Beginning Unappropriated Retained Earnings
+ Net Income
+ Other Increases
- Dividends paid
- Other decreases
= Ending Unappropriated Retained Earnings
What is the purpose of Schedule M-3 on a Corporate tax return?
Like M1, but for Corporations with $10M+ in assets
How are affiliated (80%) Corporation tax returns handled?
Consolidation election is binding going forward
Dividends between them are eliminated, Advantage- Gains are deferred, Disadvantage- losses are deferred.
One AMT exemption
One accumulated earnings tax allowed
Note: In order to consolidate, the parent must have 80% voting power and own 80% of the stock value
How are Corporate distributions to shareholders handled?
Distribution is a dividend to the extent of current accumulated earnings and profits (ordinary income)
Then, remainder (if any) is a return of basis. Then, add’l remainder (if any) is a Capital Gain
Distribution amount = FMV of Property + Cash - Liability Assumed
Shareholder basis = FMV of Property + Cash received (basis not reduced by the attached liability)
What is the order of treatment in a Corporation’s distribution to a shareholder?
- Distribution is a dividend to the extent of current and accumulated earnings and profits
- Shareholder basis is then exhausted
- Remainder, if any, is a Capital Gain
What is the basic calculation for accumulated earnings and profits in a Corporation?
Beginning Accumulated Earnings and Profits
+ Net Income
+ Gain on Distribution (if not already in book income)
- Distribution (but cannot create a deficit)
- NOL of prior years
= Ending Accumulated Earnings and Profits
What is the treatment of a gain in a complete Corporate liquidation?
If Capital Property, then Capital Gain
If Non-Capital Property, then Ordinary Income
Gain characterization is the same for both the Corporation and the shareholder
What is the treatment of a loss in a complete Corporate liquidation?
Corporation: Depends on if property is capital in nature, otherwise ordinary loss
Individual: capital loss only
What is the treatment of the liquidation of a subsidiary?
No G/L to parent company
What is a consent dividend? How is it treated?
Consented by the Board of Directors but not yet paid
Treat as if distributed by the end of the year
Describe the requirements for a personal holding company.
No banks or financial institutions can be PHCs
5 or fewer individuals own more than 50% of the stock
60% of the PHC’s income must be from passive means
PHC tax is self-assessing - 20% tax rate on undistributed PHC Income
How is Corporate accumulated earnings tax (AET) different from PHC taxation?
Not Self-Assessing like a PHC
How is the accumulated earnings credit calculated for a Corporation?
Take greater of $250,000 ($150,000 for Service Corps) or the legitimate balance based on future needs (i.e. purchasing a building)
What are the requirements for holding S-Corporation status?
Only individuals, estates and trusts can be shareholders
Domestic only, no international S-corps or foreign shareholders
Up to 100 shareholders allowed, and only one class of stock allowed
Calendar tax year only
How is an S-Corporation election made?
Election for S Corp status must be made by 3/15 and counts as being an S Corp since the beginning of the year
To make election, 100% of the shareholders must consent
How is an S-Corporation terminated?
To terminate election, 50% of the shareholders must consent
No S Corp election allowed for 5 years after termination
S Corp termination effective immediately following an act that terminates status
What items are not included in calculating an S-Corporation’s ordinary income?
These items are included on Schedule K, not in ordinary income:
Foreign Taxes paid deduction No Investment Interest expense Section 179 Deduction 1231 Gain or Loss Charitable Contributions Portfolio Income (dividends or interest)
How is S-Corporation shareholder basis calculated?
Beginning Basis
+Share of Income Items (including non-taxable income!)
-Distributions (cash or property)
-Non-deductible expenses
-Ordinary Losses (but don’t take income below zero)
= Ending basis
What is the formula for an S-Corp Built-in Gains Tax?
FMV of Assets @ S-Corp Election Date - Adjust. Basis of Assets = Built-in Gain x 35% Corporate Rate
How is Gift taxation different from Estate taxation?
Property transferred while taxpayer is living
What is the annual exclusion amount for a taxpayer’s Gift taxation? What is required to get the exclusion?
$14,000 per year per spouse to each individual
In order to get the exclusion, the recipient must immediately acquire a present interest in the property and get unrestricted access to the property and all of its benefits
If a Gift is an annuity, what value is used for the Gift?
If the Gift is an annuity, use Present Value to determine the gross Gift
What is the basic Gift tax calculation?
Gross Gifts
- 1/2 of Gifts (treated as given by spouse)
- Total # of donees x $14,000 exclusion
= Taxable Gift
How is a Gift taxed if a recipient gains a future ownership in the Gifted property?
Recipient must gain ownership and all rights to property to get the annual exclusion. If recipient merely gains a future ownership, then the present value of the Gift is 100% taxable to donor and cannot exclude from Gift tax calc
What are the deductions for Gift tax, besides the annual exclusion?
Tuition and medical expenses paid directly to the provider organization (note: NOT books or dorm fees)
Political contributions
Charitable Gifts
Unlimited Gifts to spouse
What is the basis of Gifted property for the recipient?
If a loss on sale, basis is FMV on the date of the Gift
If a gain on sale, basis is same as donor’s basis
No G/L if donor basis is less than sales price, and sales price is less than FMV @ Gift date
How/when are Gift tax returns filed?
Calendar-year basis only
Due April 15
What are the basic characteristics of complex Trust?
Income distributions are optional
Accumulation of income ok
Charitable contributions ok
Contributions using tax-exempt income are not deductible
Allowed personal exemption of $100
Key Point: Distribution of Trust corpus (principal) ok
What are the basic characteristics of a Simple Trust?
Income distributions mandatory
Accumulation of income disallowed
No charitable contributions
Distribution of Trust corpus DISALLOWED
Allowed personal exemption of $300
How are Net Operating Losses handled in a Trust?
Trusts can have a Net Operating Loss
Any unused NOL flows through to the beneficiaries
How are expenses and fees related to tax-exempt income handled in a Trust?
Expenses and fees from tax-exempt income are not deductible for either a Complex or Simple Trust
When is property transferred in an Estate?
After the death of the donor
What amount of a decedent’s Estate is exempt from Estate Tax?
The First $5,430,000 is exempt with a 40% tax on amount above that
How are a decedent’s medical expenses handled with respect to an Estate?
Medical expenses paid after death, but incurred within 1 year of death go on decedents personal tax return
How is an Estate’s NOL handled?
Estates can have a Net Operating Loss
Any unused NOL flows through to the beneficiaries
What does a gross Estate consist of?
Cash and Property FMV at death, or alternate valuation.
What is joint tenancy with respect to an Estate? How is it calculated?
When two non-spouses jointly own property
FMV at death X % Ownership = Amount in Estate
What is tenancy by entirety?
1/2 of marital assets go to deceased spouses Estate
What is tenancy in common in an Estate?
A, B, and C own property
If A dies, FMV of As share goes to heirs
How is Estate tax handled with respect to a beneficiary?
Property received through inheritance not income to recipient
Property value is FMV at date of death or 6 months later
If property is sold prior to 6 month date and the alternative date is used, FMV at date of sale is used to value property
Basis in property automatically assumes LT holding period
What is distributable net income (DNI)?
DNI = Taxable Income Expenses (from income production)
Trust beneficiaries only pay tax if earnings are distributed
Estate beneficiaries pay tax on DNI, regardless if distributed
When must a tax exempt organization file a 990-T for Unrelated Business Income?
If a tax exempt organization has more than $1,000 of UBI, it must file a Form 990-T
What are the requirements for a 501(c)3 organization?
Organized and Operated exclusively for exempt purposes
No earnings can benefit an individual or private shareholder
Cant attempt to influence legislation as a major part of its activities
Cant campaign politically
Under what accounting basis are individual tax returns prepared?
Cash Basis. Note: This basis is NOT allowed for Corporations, Partnerships with a C-Corp partner, or for inventories.
What are the deductions to arrive at Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) for individuals?
*MSA/HSA contributions
*Investment penalties for early withdrawal
*Self-employed medical insurance premiums
*Self-Employment Tax (approx. 50%)
*IRA Contributions
*Student loan interest (can’t be another taxpayer’s dependent)
*Moving expenses
*Alimony
*Attorney fees in discrimination lawsuit
Which items can be carried over to future years on an individual tax return?
Investment interest expense in excess of investment income
Charitable contributions
Excess Section 179
Capital losses
AMT Paid
Passive Activity Losses
Characterize the following carryover: Passive Activity Loss
No carryback
Can carry forward indefinitely
How is excess 179 expense carried forward?
Carry forward to next year.
Use in any year is limited to taxable income.
How long can investment interest expense in excess of investment income be carried forward?
Indefinitely.
How long is the carry forward for charitable contributions?
Can be carried forward 5 years.
