Tax Planning Flashcards
What 4 things are not classified as capital assets?
ACID
1. Account receivable
2. Copyrights
3. Inventory
4. Depreciable property (Section 1231 assets)
What is the default IRS method for determining Cost basis?
FIFO
What are the 3 methods for determining cost basis?
- FIFO
- Average cost
- Specific identification
What is net capital gain?
Excess of Net LT cap gain over NEt short term capital loss
what are the 2 characters for capital assets along with their holding period, type, and tax rates?
- Short term
Holding period - less than 1 year
Type - capital assets
tax rate - ordinary income - Long term-
Holding period - Greater than 1 year
Type - capital asset, Unrecaptured Depreciation, collectables
Tax rate - Capital assets - 0/15/20
Unrecaptured depreciation - 25%
Collectables - 28%
What are the 3 steps for netting capital gains?
- Separate ST and LT
- Net each basket
- Net capital gains and losses
What are the ST and LT capital gains tax rates?
ST- ordinary income
LT - 0/15/20
What rate is unrecaptured 1250 gains taxed at
25%
Original cost basis < 1231 on capital gains and 25% on depreciation
Between original cost basis and adjusted basis - 25% on unrecaptured depreciation
equal to adjustable basis - no tax issue
Less than adjustable basis - ordinary loss
What is the max tax rate for collectible items held long term?
28%
What is the max capital loss that can be claimed each year and how long can you carry excess forward?
$3,000 except if MFS ($1500)
Carry forward indefinitely
What is 1231 property and what are gains and losses taxed at?
1231 property is property used in business and property used for producing income
Gains - Capital gains
Losses - ordinary income losses
What are the 2 subcategories of 1231 property?
- 1245 - personalty
Furniture, computers, carpet, decorative
2.1250 -reality
Commercial buildings, warehouses, barns, rental properties
How is gain recapture (depreciation deductions) taxed for section 1245 property?
As ordinary income
If gain > depreciation - 1231 treatment and 1245 treatment on depreciation
What is the main purpose of section 1245?
eliminate advantage taxpayer would have reducing income by depreciate and receive section 1231 capital gain treatment
Does section 1245 apply to losses?
No, ordinary income loss
What is the difference between section 1245 and 1250?
1250 applies solely to additional depreciation
excess of ACRS over straight line
property held less than one year = total depreciation
Non- corporate - not required on real property
What is 1250 taxed at?
25% for amount of depreciate
What allows for the deferral of gain or loss recognition on realty for realty excahnges?
Section 1031
What are the 3 section 1031 rules?
- Only applies to 1231 property (used in business for income production)
- Exchange realty for realty
- Boot is non-qualified property
Boot= cash, debt assumptions, inventory and personalty
What are the 2 timing requirements for a 1031 exchange?
- 45 days - must find replacement property
2.180 days - must gain possession of that property - receive property
What are the 5 definitions and calculations in a 1031 exchange?
ARRDS
1. Amount realized: FMV +/- net boot
2. Realized gain: Amount realized - basis
3. Recognized gain: Lesser of realized gain or net boot
4. Deferred gains: realized gain - recognized gain
5. Substituted basis: FMV of qualifying property - deferred gain
What is the recognized gain in a 1031 exchange?
Less of realized gain or net boot
What is realized gain in a 1031 exchange?
Amount realized - basis
What is the amount realized in a 1031 in a 1031 exchange?
FMV +/- net boot
What is deferred gain in a 1031 exchange?
Recognized gain - realized gain
What is the substituted basis of 1031 exchange?
FMV of the property - deferred gain
Does depreciation reduce basis?
yes
What are 3 examples of constructive receipt not considered income due to substantial limitations?
- Funds in escrow
- Granted stock shares not available until after a specific date
- Retirement funds in a Rabbi trust
What type of trust is used by businesses or other entities to defer the taxability to the person or entity receiving such payments as employee compensation or purchase payments in the acquisition of another business.
Rabbi trust
What are the 3 steps at the top of the Estate formula?
I G.A.T This
1.Gross estate
- deductions
2.Adjusted Gross Estate
- charitable and martial deductions
3. Taxable estate
What are 3 strategies for charitable giving if unable to itemize?
- Donor advised fund
Tax deduction - Qualified Charitable distribution
Taking an RMD with it (no taxes)
3.Bundling of donations
small donations over several years to be able to itemize as one big donation
What did the TCJA do?
Nearly doubled the standard deduction
Sunsets in 2026
What tax form are adjustments to income on?
Schedule 1, part 2
What are the 11 adjustments to income? (above the line)
HEATSMHERBS
1. HSA contributions
2. Educator expenses ($300/600)
3. Alimony payments pre-2019
4. Traditional IRA contributions (Below AGI Phaseout)
5. Self employment tax 1/2 (employer portion)
6.Moving expenses for active duty military
7. Health insurance premiums for self employed (includes dental and LTCi)
8. Early withdrawal penalties from Savings accounts
9. Retirement contributions for self employed
10. Business expenses for fee only government employees, performing artists, and military reserve traveling 100+ miles
11. Student loan interest - up to $2,500
What tax form are itemized deductions on?
Schedule A
What are the 3 potential self employment above the line deductions?
- 1/2 self employment tax
- Retirement plan contributions
- health insurance premiums
What 2 things should you review of a client for the standard deduction?
Their age and if they are blind
What are the 8 nuance of the tax exclusions? (These exclusions are tax free but…)
- Muni bond interest is provisional income for Social Security
- Gifts could be taxed if over lifetime exclusion
- Inheritances transferred property in Decedents estate
- Scholarships - coordination of benefits with 529 plans
- Sale of Residence - Fulfill ownership and use test for full exclusion
- Death benefit - tax component if income or held instead of lump sum
- Debt discharge - If PSLF plan or insolvency, treated as Ordinary income if not
- Support payments - pre 2019 received is taxable
What is the tax formula?
Income from all sources
- exclusions
=Gross income
-Deductions for AGI
=AGI
-Deduction from AGI (standard or itemized deduction)
=Taxable income
x tax rate
= Gross taxes owed
-Credits
= Final Taxes due
- prepayments/withholdings
= net tax payable or refund
What form is the tax formula incorporate in to?
Form 1040
What are the exclusions from income?
MAFIAS PADDED MICS
Muni Bond interest
Accident and health - Employer premiums
Fringe benefits
Inheritances and gifts
Accident and health - benefits received
Scholarships
Property sale gain- $250,000/$500,000 gain
Adoption assistance
Dependent care
Death benefit
Education -$5250
Discharge of debt - Certain circumstance
Meals and Lodging
Interest on EE and I Bonds
Compensatory damages compensation
Support - Post 2018 alimony
What are the 5 itemized deductions?
MICGS
Medical and dental expenses above 7.5% of AGI
Interest on mortgage payment - on loan value up to 750,000
primary and secondary residence.
Investment interest limited to NII
Casualty and losses
must be federal declared disaster zone
Calculation = lesser of (FMV or basis) - insurance
payments- $100 - 10% AGI
Gifts to charity - cash 60% AGI - lowest other is 20%
State and local taxes - Up to $10,000
What portion of the child tax credit is refundable and what is it called?
Additional Child tax credit - $1,500 of $2,000
What are the 5 1099 tax forms and their functions?
- 1099 - INT
- 1099- DIV
- 1099 - NEC- non employee compensation
- 1099 - MISC
- 1099 - R - retirement distributions
What are the 4 tax forms that start with 104 and their function?
- 1040 - individual income tax
- 1040es - estimated taxes for individuals
- 1040x - 1040 amended tax return
- 1041 - estate and trusts
What is the tax form 1098 used for?
Mortgage interest statement
What is the max amount for the child and dependent care credits?
3k/6k single/MFJ
What are the 3 tax filing status requirements for married filing separately?
- 2 separate returns
- Each spouse, separates items and incomes, deductions and credits
- If one itemize, the other must
What are 3 tax years used for annual accounting?
- Calendar
- Fiscal
- Short tax year
What 6 property types do not qualify for section 179?
- Real property - buildings, land, land improvements
- Air conditioning and heating
- Property used outside the U.S.
- Property used to furnish lodging
- Property acquired by gift or inheritance
- Property purchased from related party
What is the three pronged all events test for expense determination in the accrual method?
- Determine liability exist
- Amount estimated with accuracy
- Economic performance occurred (was the work done?)
What 3 intangible properties can be depreciated?
- patents
- copyrights
- computer software
What 4 requirements must be met for property to be depreciable?
- Owned by taxpayer
- Used in business or income producing
- Must have determinable useful life
- Must be expected to last more than 1 year
What is the useful life of the 6 common depreciable assets?
ACHORN
Automobiles - 5 years
Computers - 5 years
Heavy equipment - 7 years
Office furniture - 7 years
Residential property - 27.5 years
Non-residential property - 39 years
What section of the IRC allows businesses to deduct the full cost of qualifying capital assets right away?
Section 179
What is the max expense under section 179 that can be deducted in the year of purchase?
$1,160,000
What 5 properties qualify for section 179 treatment?
- Equipment for business use
- tangible personal property used in business
- Computers and off shelf software
- Office furniture and office equipment
- Certain business vehicles
What is the Avg annual gross receipt for the 3 taxable years period ending with prior year the requires corporations (other than S-corps) to use accrual method?
$29,000,000
What is the most common tax year?
Calendar
What are the 3 accounting methods?
1.Cash method
2. Accrual
3. Modified cash/ hybrid
What accounting method recognized expenses when actually paid and revenue when actually or constructively received?
Cash method
What type of receipt occurs when funds are available without restrictions?
Constructive receipt
What method of accounting recognizes revenue when the right to receive exists not when payments is received?
Accrual method
What is the 2 part all events test to determine revenue in the accrual method?
- Right to receive income established, not contingent upon future events
2.Amount can be estimated with reasonable accuracy
What method is always used for individual tax returns?
Cash method
What method of accounting is used when expenses are recognized when liabilities can be established, not when payment is made?
Accrual method
What is the revenue and expense recognition of the accrual mehtod?
Revenue is recognized when right to receive exist
Expense is recognized when liability is established
When inventory is necessary to account for income, what accounting method must be used for purchases and sales?
Accrual method
What accounting method would a taxpayer use that prefers cash method but has inventory as component of business?
Hybrid method
What 2 things must accrual method be used for in the hybrid method?
Sales of inventory
purchase of inventory
In the hybrid accounting method, what may the cash method be used for?
Service portion of buisness
What are the 3 methods of inventory valuation?
- FIFO
- LIFO
- Specific identification
In a rising price environment, what are the effects on profit, tax liability, and inventory value using FIFO and LIFO methods
FIFO
Profits - Higher
Tax - Higher
Inv - realistic
LIFO
Profits - lower
Tax - lower
Inv - Understated
In a falling price environment, what are the effects on profit, tax liability and inventory value using FIFO vs LIFO?
FIFO
Profits - lower
tax - lower
Inv - realistic
LIFO
Profits - higher
tax- higher
Inv - Overstated
What inventory method can only be used when the firm is able to differentiate Inventory by purchase lot?
Specific identification
What is the major advantage of specific identification for inventory valuation?
Inventory valuation and amount charged to COGS are accurate
What allows a taxpayer to recover cost or basis of certain property over time property is used?
Depreciation
What tangible property cannot be depreciated?
Land
When does depreciation begin and end?
Begins - property placed in to service
Ends - cost fully recovered or retired from service
Whichever comes first
What are the 2 depreciation methods?
- Straight Line
- MACRS - Accelerated
What depreciation method is the same amount deducted each year over the useful life of property?
Straight line
What 2 steps do you take to determine the deduction for straight line depreciation?
- Determine adjusted basis, salvage value, and estimated useful life
- subtract salvage value, if any from the basis
Cost/ useful life
Half/mid year - 1/2 of full taken in first year and 1/2 in last year
What depreciation method enables taxpayers to have more depreciation in early years and less at end of assets useful life?
MACRS - accelerated
What are the 2 accelerate methods based on when property placed into service and the years?
1.ACRS 1981- 1986
2. MACRS 1986 - present
What type of property does section 179 pertain to and when must the property be placed into business?
Property used for business, not to produce income.
Current year
What is the deduction of section 179 expense limited to and what is done with the expense?
The net profit , excess uses MACRS
Who would use MFS?
A higher earner with lots of student debt working in public service role (PSLF)
What must estimated quarterly tax payments be to avoid a penalty on the underpaid amount?
25% of the lesser of :
AGI under 160k:90% of the current year tax liability or 100% of the prior year tax liability
AGI over 160k: 90% of current years or 110% of prior year
no penalty if current year less than $1,000 or no tax liability in the prior year
Who are each of the business entities best suited for?
S - Corp - Single/multi owner business who need company funded benefits and liability protection
C-Corp - Same as S-Corp
Partnership - Business with partners where taxes or product liability is not a concern
LLC - Single/multi owner business owners need Limited liability but partnership tax treatment
SP - Single owners, taxes or product liability is not a concern
What are some examples of each of the 5 business entities?
S-Corp - Pizza parlor, interior designer
C-Corp - Software company
Partnership - Land development
LLC - real estate investment
SP - mom and pop bike shop
What tax form is estimated taxes calculated on?
1040es
What are the payment periods and due dates for estimated tax payments?
- Jan 1st - March 31 Due April 15th
- April 1st - May 31st Due June 15th
- June 1st - August 31st Due Sept 15th
4.September 1st - December 31st Due Jan 15th
What are the cons of MFS?
Lose certain credits and reduce others
Lose: child and dependent care, earned income, adoption, AOTC, and LLC
Reduce: Child tax credit and savers credit
What are the tax filing status requirements for single?
Dec 31st either unmarried or legally seperated
What are the 5 tax filing status requirements for widow(er)?
- Not remarried
- MFJ = year of spouse
- QW = year 1 and 2 after death of spouse
- 50% of household expenses
- Claim qualifying child as dependent
For section 179, what amount in excess capital spending does the $1,160,000 max amount start to be reduced by the excess dollar for dollar?
$2,890,000. Still limited to net profits
What is the maximum number of owners for each business entity?
S-Corp- 100 max, families count as 1
C-Corp - no restrictions
Partnership - minimum two
LLC - no restrictions
SP - 1
What are the 5 tax filing status?
1.Single
2.MFJ
3. MFS
4.Head of Household
5. Qualifying widower with dependent child