Individual Taxation Flashcards
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?
I – Interest on Student Loans E – Self Employment Tax (50%) M – Moving Expenses B – Business Expenses R – Rent, Royalty Expenses A – Alimony “CANNOT” C – Contributions to IRA (Traditional) E – Early Withdrawal Penalties from CD’s D – Jury Duty Fees Education – Qualified Higher Education Expenses Health – Contributions to Health Savings Plan Farm – Farm Income
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
Can only offset passive activity gains
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.
How long is AMT paid carried forward, and how is it applied?
It can be carried forward indefinitely.
It may be applied against future regular income tax, but not against future AMT tax liability.
How are capital losses applied in individual taxes?
$3,000 net capital loss can be taken in each year, the rest is carried forward indefinitely.
The loss retains its character (STCL or LTCL).
How does an individual capital loss carryover differ from a corporate capital loss carryover?
Corporate capital loss carryovers may be carried back 3 years and forward 5 years. Individual capital losses are carried forward indefinitely.Individual capital loss carryovers retain their character (STCL or LTCL). Corporate loss carryovers are carried forward as STCL only.
What ratio is applied to principle payments in an installment sale to determine the gain in a given year?
Gross Profit / Contract Price
What is the contract price in an installment sale for income tax purposes?
Contract Price = Sales Price - Liability assumed by buyer
On an individual return, regular mortgage interest on what loan amount is deductible?
$1,000,000
Interest on home equity loans up to what amount are deductible on an individual tax return?
$100,000
What business gift amounts are deductible on Schedule C of form 1040? What amount for service awards?
$25 per person for gifts
Service awards up to $400
What income can business losses offset on a 1040?
They may only offset active business income.
Note: W2 wages are considered active business income.
What income can passive losses offset on a 1040?
Only passive income such as rental income or limited partnership income.
Note: Wages are ACTIVE (cannot be offset by passive) and Interest/Dividends are PORTFOLIO (cannot be offset by passive)
Are interest and dividends active or passive income?
Neither. They are portfolio income.
What is (are) the depreciation convention(s) for personal property?
Mid-year/Mid-quarter
When is the mid-quarter convention used?
For depreciation when 40% or more of all purchases occur in 4th quarter.
What depreciation convention is used for real property?
Mid-month
What depreciation life and convention are used for leasehold improvements?
15 year straight line (S/L)
What amount of business start-up costs can be deducted? How is it expensed?
Up to $5,000
Amortized over 180 months
Reduced dollar-for-dollar by amount over $50,000
How are medical expenses deducted on a 1040?
On Schedule A:
Amounts in excess of 10% of AGI may be deducted
Which personal insurance premiums are not deductible as medical expenses on Schedule A?
Accident or disability insurance premiums are not deductible.
Under what circumstances can medical expenses paid on behalf of another be deducted on someone’s Schedule A?
Must be a citizen of North America
Must live with you, or if they do not, must be mother/father or a relative closer than a cousin.
Benefactor must provide more than 50% support to the beneficiary.
Which foreign taxes are deductible?
Foreign INCOME and REAL ESTATE taxes are deductible.
Foreign personal property taxes are NOT deductible.
Foreign tax assessments are not deductible- they are added to the basis.
How is net investment income calculated, for the purpose of deducting excess investment interest expense?
Gross investment income - investment expense in excess of 2% of AGI = net investment income
Investment interest expense in excess of net investment income is deductible.
What investment interest is never deductible?
Investment interest expense on tax-free securities is not deductible.
When are mortgage points deductible and how are they deducted?
They are deductible if they represent prepaid interest on purchase of a new home or improving a home.
Refinance points are amortized over the life of the mortgage.