Income tax - General

Question 1

C corp required accounting method?

What taxpayers permitted to use the cash method?

Answer 1

C corp generally required to use accrual method. the cash method cannot generally be used if inventories are necessary to clearly reflect income.

Taxpayers permitted to use the cash method include a qualified personal service corporation, and an entity (other than a tax shelter) if for every year it has average gross receipts of $5 million or less for any prior three‐year period and does not have inventories.

Question 2

Based on the uniform capitalization rules, what expenses are not required to be capitalized?

Answer 2

The uniform capitalization rules to capitalize direct and indirect costs allocable to property they produce and for property they purchase for resale.

Marketing, selling, advertising, and distribution, on-site storage expenses are not required to be capitalized.
. Those storage costs attributed to an off‐site facility are required to be capitalized

Question 3

Entity have inventory. What accounting method required?

Answer 3

The accrual method of tax reporting is mandatory for an entity when there are Inventory.

Question 4

Entity have account receivable for serviced rendered. Is it required to use accrual accounting method?

Answer 4

Not required.

Question 5

Constructively received income included or not in cash - basis taxpayer

Answer 5

Included. Constructively received means that an item of income is unqualifiedly available without restriction (e.g., interest resulting from a savings account is reported as income for the year in which the interest is credited to the account)

Question 6

“Earned income” is defined as net self‐employment earnings reduced by what?

Answer 6

“Earned income” is defined as net self‐employment earnings reduced by what deductible Keogh contribution and one‐half of the self‐employment tax.

Question 7

Rent received $27,000 in 2016 covering periods 2017-2019. What amount of rent revenue should be reported on t2016 tax return? Taxpayer is accrual basis

Answer 7

On tax purposes, income is earned when

1) all the events have occurred to attach the taxpayer’s right to receive the income and
2) the amount of income can be determined with reasonable accuracy. Cash based taxpayers report income when it is actually received or constructively received (i.e., in the taxpayer’s control). Since all the events have occurred to attach Ral Corp.’s right to receive the income and the amount of income can be determined with reasonable accuracy, the corporation must report $27,000 in rental revenue for 2016. It is irrelevant that the rental revenue covers the following years.

Question 8

A 33‐year‐old taxpayer withdrew $30,000 (pretax) from a traditional IRA. The taxpayer has a 33% effective tax rate and a 35% marginal tax rate. What is the total tax liability associated with the withdrawal?

Answer 8

Answer: 13,500.

Use marginal tax rate + 10% penalty because early withdrawal.

Question 9

What type of entity have the most flexibility to choose the calendar year?

Answer 9

A C corporation has the most flexibility since it can elect to use a calendar year or any fiscal year. In contrast, a partnership generally must use the same tax year as used by its partners in order to prevent the deferral of income to partners that would otherwise result. Similarly, S corporations and personal service corporations must generally adopt a calendar year unless the entities can establish a business purpose for having a different tax year.

Question 10

Social security benefit taxability

Answer 10

Blake, a single individual age 67, had a 2016 adjusted gross income of $60,000 exclusive of social security benefits. Blake received social security benefits of $8,400 and interest of $1,000 on tax‐exempt obligations during 2016. What amount of social security benefits is excludable from Blake’s 2016 taxable income?

Question 11

Recapture rule applied for alimony that end in 3 year and third year payment reduced at least $15,000 over the first three year.

Answer 11

Tim and Nicole Wendler were divorced in 2014. Under the terms of their divorce decree, Tim paid alimony to Nicole at the rate of $60,000 in 2014, $25,000 in 2015, and nothing in 2016. What amount of alimony recapture must be included in Tim’s gross income former 2016?
Special rules require recapture of deductions and income if alimony payments decline more than $15,000 over the first three years after the divorce.

2nd yr alimony
-3rd yr alimony
-15,000
=Recapture #1

1st yr alimony - [(Adj 2nd alimony + 3rd alimony)/2]-15,000 = Recapture #2

The total recapture is $10,000 + $37,500 = $47,500.

Question 12

In 2015, Brun Corp. properly accrued $10,000 for an income item on the basis of a reasonable estimate. In 2016, Brun determined that the exact amount was $12,000. Which of the following statements is correct?

Answer 12

Under the accrual method, income generally is reported in the year earned. If an amount is included in gross income on the basis of a reasonable estimate, and it is later determined that the exact amount is more, then the additional amount is included in income in the tax year in which the determination of the exact amount is made. Here, Brun properly accrued $10,000 of income for 2015, and discovered that the exact amount was $12,000 in 2016. Therefore, the additional $2,000 of income is properly includible in Brun’s 2016 income tax return.

Question 13

Minimum amount of deductible contribution to IRA regardless of the proportional phase out rule.

Answer 13

A taxpayer whose AGI is not above the applicable phase‐out range can make a $200 deductible contribution regardless of the proportional phase‐out rule. This $200 minimum applies separately to taxpayer and taxpayer’s spouse

Question 14

Cafeteria plan characters

Answer 14

Cafeteria plans allow employees to select from a menu of fringe benefits and cash and not include the value of the nontaxable benefits in their gross income. The requirements of cafeteria plans are:

1) all participants must be employees;
2) participants may choose between two or more benefits composed of cash or qualified benefits;
3) participants are required to make elections among the benefits;
4) the plan must be in writing and have certain specified information;
5) the plan may not provide participants with deferred income, except for under 401(k) plans.

This response states that under cafeteria plans participants may select their own menu of benefits.

Question 15

She received $25,000 in cash, a painting valued at $10,000, and the use of his beach house, valued at $3,000. What amount of gross income should she report as alimony?

Answer 15

Alimony must be received in cash so the painting and beach house do not qualify.

Question 16

Accountable Plans vs Non-accountable plans
When employees are reimbursed for business expenses, the determination if this is taxable depends on whether the employee has an accountable plan.
If employee business expenses are reimbursed under an accountable plan, then the reimbursement is not taxable (for FICA or income tax) and the employee gets no deduction for the expense. Technically, the tax law requires the reimbursement to be included as income and the employee’s deduction is for AGI. Since this always nets to zero, the IRS allows the income and deduction to not be reported.
If the expenses are reimbursed, but not under an accountable plan, the reimbursement must be included in income (for FICA and income tax) and the deduction is a 2% miscellaneous itemized deduction.
For a plan to be accountable:
Must substantiate all expenses to be reimbursed; and
Excess reimbursements must be returned to the employer.

Answer 16

I.e. : Under a nonaccountable plan. Easel does not require employees to provide proof of expenses and allows employees to keep any amount not spent. Under the plan, Mel, an Easel employee for a full year, gets $400 per month for business automobile expenses. At the end of the year Mel informs Easel that the only business expense incurred was for business mileage of 12,000 at a rate of 30 cents per mile, the IRS standard mileage rate at the time. Mel encloses a check for $1,200 to refund the overpayment to Easel. What amounts should be reported in Mel’s gross income for the year?Since this is not an accountable plan, all reimbursements are included in the employee’s income ($400 x 12 months = $4,800).

Question 17

Bond premium vs Bond discount

Answer 17

Amortize bond premium -> reduce bond’s basis

Amortize bond discount - > increase bond’s basis

Question 18

Loss on small business stock sec. 1244

Answer 18

In order to deduct an ordinary loss on sale or worthlessness of stock under Sec. 1244, (1) the shareholder must be the original holder of stock, and an individual or partnership; (2) the stock can be common or preferred, voting or nonvoting; (3) the amount of ordinary loss is limited to $50,000 ($100,000 on joint return); (4) the corporation during the 5‐year period before the year of loss received less than 50% of its total gross receipts from royalties, rents, dividends, interest, annuities, and gains from sales or exchanges of stock or securities; and (5) the corporation’s aggregate amount of money and adjusted basis of other property received for stock as a contribution to capital and paid‐in surplus does not exceed $1,000,000.

Question 19

What property can be used in Like-kind exchange ?

Answer 19

All realty property is considered like-kind property.
& Investment property (investment property in like kind exchange have to be in the same type. i.e. Stock for stock, antiques (hold for investment) for antiques. exchange will be non‐taxable if it qualifies under the like‐kind exchange rules.

Question 20

Gift basis rule for gain and loss

vs. Inheritance basis

Answer 20

Gain basis = giver’s basis
Loss basis = lower of FMV (at giving) or Giver’s basis
If the sale price is between gain basis and loss basis no gain or loss recognize
I.e. A gifted her son stocks. A’s basis in stock is $100, FMV at gifting is $150. Later stocks are sold for $120, no gain or loss recognized. If stock sold for $160, gain is $60 ($160 - $100). If sold for $90, loss $10.

Inheritance basis = step up basis.

Question 21

How long a business asset be owned to be a section 1231 asset?

Answer 21

a business asset must be owned for more than one year to be a Section 1231 asset.

Question 22

Sale of stock between related taxpayer. Disallowed to what limit?

Answer 22

Losses are disallowed on the sale of property between related taxpayers, including a parent and their child. Any gain later realized by the related transferee on the subsequent disposition of the property is not recognized to the extent of the transferor’s disallowed loss

Question 23

How many years a covenant not to compete be amortized for?

Answer 23

The statutory amortization period for a covenant not to compete that is related to a business acquisition is 15 years.

Question 24

Cost basis of new property in involunteery exchange is new acquired property basis or the one being replaced?

Answer 24

Dawson, Inc.’s warehouse (with an adjusted tax basis of $75,000) was destroyed by fire. The following year, Dawson received insurance proceeds of $195,000 and acquired a new warehouse for $167,000. Dawson elected to recognize the minimum gain possible. What is Dawson’s basis in the new warehouse?

Question 25

Interest from qualified education loan is deducted in the front page of form 1040 or itemized deduction.

Answer 25

The interest expense on a qualified education loan is deductible in the computation of an individual’s adjusted gross income(front page of 1040). A qualified education loan is a loan whose proceeds are used to pay the qualified education expenses (e.g., tuition, fees, room and board, books, supplies) of the taxpayer, spouse, or anyone who was a dependent when the loan was taken out. The maximum annual deduction is limited to $2,500 and is reduced by modified adjusted gross income in excess of $60,000 if single, head of household, or a qualifying widow(er); $120,000 if married filing jointly. Here, since the unmarried individual’s adjusted gross income is only $25,000, all $1,000 of interest is deductible to arrive at adjusted gross income.

Question 26

How to deduct nonbusiness theft loss on tax return. How muc each loss should be in excess of to be deducted?

Answer 26

Nonbusiness theft losses are deductible to the extent that each loss is in excess of $100, and the taxpayer’s net nonbusiness casualty and theft losses exceed 10% of AGI. Thus, Frank can deduct $1,000 [ ($2,000 − $100) − (10% × $10,000)].

Question 27

$25,000 allowance for passive loss starting to phase out at how much of AGI and totally phase out at how much of AGI

Answer 27

If MAGI = $110,000, the $25,000 allowance is reduced by $5,000 to a $20,000 maximum allowance. Once MAGI exceeds $150,000, the special allowance is no longer available.

Question 28

Donation deduction of appreciated property that would resulted in long term capital gain subject to how many % of AGI.

Answer 28

For appreciated property is contributed to charity, the amount of contribution is generally the property’s FMV if the property would have resulted in a long‐term capital gain if sold. Since the land was purchased as an investment for $14,000 in year 1, a sale in year 13 would have resulted in a LTCG. As a result, the amount of Taylor’s charitable contribution is the land’s FMV of $25,000, which would then be subject to a 30% of AGI limitation. However, since Taylor had $90,000 of AGI, all $25,000 of land contribution would be allowed as an itemized deduction for year 13.

Question 29

Due to club deductible expense for business or not

Answer 29

Only due to chamber of commerce, union due and professional association is deductible. Due to club is nondeductible.

Question 30

Moving expense deductible requirements

Answer 30

• The new work place at least 50 miles away from old residence
• The taxpayer is full time employed staying at least 39 weeks within 12 months following the move. If self-employed, 78 weeks within 24 months.

Question 31

What moving expenses are not deductible ?

Answer 31

Indirect moving expenses such as premove house hunting, temporary living expenses, and meals while moving are not deductible.

Question 32

Does passive activity limitation apply to closely held C corp and personal service corp?

Answer 32

The passive activity limitations apply to individuals, estates, trusts, closely held C corporations, and personal service corporations

Question 33

Receive $500 income from jury duty and have to submit that income back to employer. How to report that jury duty.

Answer 33

Report jury duty as other income and also deduction to arrive at AGI.

Question 34

House got fired. The adjusted basis $150,000.
FMV before fire $200,000
FMV after fire $180,000
What the casualty loss before any limit for tax deduction?

Answer 34

The amount of a personal casualty loss is the lesser of (1) the adjusted basis of the property ($150,000), or (2) the decline in the property’s fair market value resulting from the casualty ($200,000 − $180,000 = $20,000). Thus, Cole’s casualty loss before consideration of the “$100 floor” or the 10% of adjusted gross income limitation is $20,000.

Question 35

How to report income and expense from hobby

Answer 35

Income from a hobby is reported as other income on the front page of Form 1040. Deductions such as travel expenses are 2% miscellaneous itemized deductions, and expenses can be deducted only to the extent of revenues.

Question 36

Patrick’s pet break the vase worth $500, value before and after the incident is $550 and $450. How much can be deducted as casualty loss.

Answer 36

A casualty is the damage, destruction, or loss of property resulting from an identifiable event that is sudden, unexpected, or unusual. Deductible casualty losses may result from earthquakes, tornadoes, floods, fires, vandalism, auto accident, etc. However, a loss due to the accidental breakage of household articles such as glassware or china under normal conditions is not a casualty loss. Neither is a loss due to damage caused by a family pet.

Question 37

Can special assessment for installation of a sewer system in the town itemized deducted as property tax?

Answer 37

The special assessment is not deductible, but would be added to the basis of the residence.

Question 38

Charitable deduction disallowed carry forward for how many years.

Answer 38

Charitable contributions in excess of the 50% limitation are carried forward for up to 5 years

Question 39

Frank Lanier is a resident of a state that imposes a tax on income. The following information pertaining to Lanier’s state income taxes is available:

Deficiency assessed and paid in 2016 for 2014:
Tax 600
Interest 100

Answer 39

The interest $100 not included as tax in itemized deduction.

Question 40

Birthday present is included or not in determining the total support of a dependent?

Answer 40

Included.

Question 41

Which of the credits is a combination of several tax credits to provide uniform rules for the current and carryback‐carryover years?

Answer 41

General tax credit combine several credit for business,
credit provides uniform rules for carryback‐carryover years. The general business credit may be carried back for 1 year, then forward for 20 years.

Question 42

Work opportunity tax credit max amount per employee

Answer 42

The work opportunity tax credit is calculated on the amount of wages paid per eligible employee during the first year of employment. The maximum credit is $2,400 per eligible employee which equal to 40% of first $6,000 per resident

Question 43

Qualified expenditure and

Answer 43

answer is corrThe requirement is to determine the proper treatment for qualifying research and experimentation expenditures. A taxpayer can elect to deduct qualifying research and experimentation expenditures as a current expense if the taxpayer so elects for the first taxable year in which the expenditures are incurred. Otherwise, the taxpayer must capitalize the expenditures. Then, if the capitalized costs are not subject to depreciation (because there is no determinable life), the taxpayer can amortize them over a period of 60 months or longer beginning with the month in which benefits from the expenditures are first realized.

Question 44

Corp exception to use cash method vs accrual

Answer 44

his answer is correct. C corporations generally are not entitled to use the cash method and instead must use the accrual method of accounting. One exception to this rule permits a C corporation that is a qualified personal service corporation to use the cash method regardless of gross receipts. A second exception permits a C corporation to use the cash method if for every year it has average annual gross receipts of $5 million or less for any prior 3‐year period, provided it does not have inventories for sale to customers. A third exception permits a C corporation to use the cash method if it has average annual gross receipts of $1 million or less for any prior 3‐year period.

Question 45

Type b reorganization

To get info for other type

Answer 45

Type B reorganization must be stock for stock, and only voting stock of the acquiring firm, or its parent, is permitted. Acquiring must also control target after the acquisition.

Question 46

Stock worthless

Answer 46

Worthless stock treated as sale in the last day of the year

Question 47

Involuntary conversion. Gain deferred vs non-deferred

Answer 47

to add info

Question 48

Capital asset

Answer 48

Investment asset that is not inventory and deprecable property used in business. i.e stocks, bond

Question 49

ST capital gain/ loss and LT capital gain loss: Order to offset

Answer 49

1. ST capital loss first offset against any short-term gains that would be taxable at the ord income rates (assumably the highest rate), then LT gain 28% rate group, then 25% group, then 15% group.
2. LT capital loss from 28% first offset against net gain from 25% rate group and then against net gain from 15% rate group. 3. If there are LT capital loss from 15 rate group, first offset net gain from 28% then 25% rate group.

Question 50

Loss results from exchange transactions between related parties i.e. parents and children, etc… are disallowed

Answer 50

i.e. Alice’s dad sold her 10 shares of abc stock for $100, his basis in stock was $120. Alice later sold those shares for $110. Alice’s gain is $10 - , but she can reduce the gain (not below zero) by the loss her father could not deduct ($20). Therefore, Alice realizes zero gain.

Question 51

To deduct Sec. 179 for fixed asset purchased in the current year. Three criteria to meet.

Answer 51

Fixed assets purchased for use in business and not allowed to purchase from related parties. Sec. 179 deduction is not allowed to cause a loss to business. Bonus depreciation or regular depreciation should be used instead.

Question 52

Under MACRS of depreciation for property placed in service after 1986, salvage value …

Answer 52

is ignored in when calculating the depreciation when applying the double declining ratio. However, it will affect the total depreciation taken in total.

Question 53

Intangible recovery period.

Answer 53

Intangible such as goodwill, licenses, franchises, trademarks and covenants not to compete may be amortized using the straight line over peirod of 15 years

Question 54

Home sale gain exclusion exceptions

Answer 54

When unforeseen situation happened like job move, sickness or death, the exclusion will be prorated.

Question 55

The couple live more than two year in the home before one spouse passed away on 1/1/Y3, the surviving spouse sold the home in 1/1/Y4 for a gain of $500,000. How much home exclusion the taxpayer can use?

Answer 55

$500,000. Because the couple met the use test of 2 years. And the sale happened with 2 years after the date of dead of one spouse.

Question 56

Basis in 1031 exchange

Answer 56

Basis of property received:
Basis of the old property
Plus: Boot paid & Gain recognized
Less: Boot received

Question 57

Non-liquidating distribution of property when FMV lower than basis.

Answer 57

FMV < basis resulted as a loss when distributing but these loss is not recognized

Question 58

Liquidating distribution property when the FMV more than basis

Answer 58

In liquidating distribution, shareholder recognize a capital gain to the extent that the FMV of the assets received exceeds the shareholder’s basis in the stock