Tax Planning Flashcards
Who can take a qualified education interest deduction?
Only the taxpayer legally obligated to make the loan payments
What is the corporate tax rate?
21%
Where is qualified education (student loan) interest (max $2,500) deducted?
Adjustment to Income
Where is educator expense deduction (up to $250) deducted?
Adjustment to Income
Where are medical expenses (over 10% of AGI) deducted?
Itemized deduction
Where are IRA contributions deducted?
Adjustment to income
Where are Keogh contributions deducted for business owners?
Adjustment to Income
Where are state and local income taxes (or sales taxes) and property taxes (up to $10,000 for all) deducted?
Itemized deduction
Where is home mortgage interest deducted?
Itemized deduction
Where is investment interest expense deducted?
Itemized deduction
Where are discrimination lawsuite expenses deducted?
Adjustment to Income
Where are charitable contributions deducted?
Itemized deduction
Where are penalties on early withdrawal of savings deducted?
Adjustment to Income
Where is alimony deducted?
Adjustment to Income
Where are jury duty fees paid over to an employer deducted?
Adjustment to Income
Where are casualty losses deducted?
Itemized deduction
Where are moving expenses for members of the armed forces deducted?
Adjustment to Income
Where are self-paid pension plans deducted?
Adjustment to Income
What is MAGI?
AGI without the IRA deduction
What makes an active participant in a defined contribution plan?
Any annual additions to the plan. May be employee contributions, employer contributions, or forfeitures.
What makes an active participant in a defined benefit plan?
Anyone eligible to participate
How much can an active participant below the phaseout range deductibly contribute to an IRA?
The full amount
How much can an active participant with MAGI above the phaseout range deductibly contribute to an IRA?
$0
For an active participant with MAGI within the phaseout range, how is their dedutible contribution calculated?
(top of phaseout range - MAGI)/phaseout range size = % of contribution that is deductible
If one spouse is an active participant and the other is not, which phaseout ranges will be used assuming they file taxes MFJ?
For the spouse who is an active participant, the MFJ range will be used. For the spouse who is not an active participant, the Spousal IRA range will be used.
The use of exclusions, deductions, and credits to reduce taxes?
Tax Avoidance
The use of IRAs, retirement plans, taxes, to avoid paying taxes today?
Tax Deferral
Putting income in other people’s accounts under their Social Security number?
Income Shifting
Home mortage interest expense can be deducted up to what amount of acquisition indebtedness?
$750,000
How much of interest for “home equity” indebtedness can be deducted?
$0
When is interest on home equity indebtedness deductible?
When it is for acquisition or renovation
Where is unrecovered basis in a commercial annuity deductible?
Miscellaneous Itemized Deductions
Where are gambling losses (to the extent of gambling winnings) deductible?
Miscellaneous Itemized Deductions
Where are impairment-related work expenses of a handicapped individual deductible?
Miscellaneous Itemized Deductions
What is the amount of the Child Tax Credit?
$2,000 per qualifying child (under 17 at end of tax year); $500 for a dependent who is not a qualifying child
How is the Child Tax Credit phased out?
$50 for every $1,000 above $400,000 AGI for MFJ; $200,000 AGI for single
An amount by which nonitemizers reduce AGI to arrive at taxable income.
Standard Deduction
Personal expenses allowed as a deduction from AGI.
Itemized Deductions
Amount on which the income tax is computed
Taxable income
The amount of taxes owed after subtracting all allowable credits
Tax liability
A dollar-for-dollar offset against tax liability.
Tax credit
Items received by a taxpayer that represent an economic benefit that are not taxed.
Exclusions
What is the limit on the amount of credit available for the Child and Dependent Care Credit?
$3,000 for one child or $6,000 for two or more children
What percent of household and dependent care expenses is coverd by the Child and Dependent Care Credit?
35% down to 20% depending on AGI
Is the Child and Dependent Care Credit refundable or nonrefundable?
nonrefundable
Is the Child Tax Credit refundable or nonrefundable?
Up to $1,400 is refundable; the $500 credit for dependents is nonrefundable
What amount of credit is provided by the Residential Energy Credit?
10% credit for home energy efficiency improvements
What is the excess social security taxes credit?
a refundable credit for taxpayers who have too much Social Security tax withheld
What qualifies as income (7)?
- Wages
- Qualifying dividends
- Social Security benefit
- Alimony received (divorces before 2019)
- Sole proprietorship income (loss)
- Capital gains (loss)
- Income (loss) from partnerships, rental property, etc.
What is excluded from income (6)?
- Life insurance proceeds received by reason of death
- A gift or most inheritances
- Interest from municipal bonds
- Child support received
- Worker’s Comp
- Employee fringe benefits
How much in capital losses may be included in a year?
$3,000
How do you calculate the amount of tax credit it would tax to receive the same benefit as a tax deduction?
TC = d x m
d - deduction
m - marginal income tax bracket
How do you calculate the amount of deduction it would take to receive the same benefit as a tax credit?
d = TC/m
TC - tax credit
m - marginal tax bracket
Which type of municipal bond interest is included in the computation of AMT?
qualified private activity municipal bond interest
The method of accounting that recognizes income when it is actually received?
Cash method
The idea that money becomes taxable when it is actually received and receipt cannot be artificially pushed back.
Constructive receipt doctrine
Small businesses with inventories may use the cash method of accounting if they have ____ or less in average annual gross receipts in 3 prior years.
$26 million
The method of accounting that recognizes income when it is earned?
Accrual method
The method of accounting that is used for manufacture of unique items that are not completed in the tax year in which the contract is entered into?
Long-term Contract method
This inventory valuation method increases COGS when prices are rising.
LIFO
This inventory valuation method creates greater tax liability in inflationary times?
FIFO
This inventory valuation method reduces earnings when prices are rising?
LIFO
This inventory valuation method improves cash flow when prices are rising?
LIFO
This inventory valuation method matches higher-priced inventory items against revenues in times of declining prices?
FIFO
This inventory valuation method understates ending inventory when prices are rising?
LIFO
This inventory valuation method creates a higher earnings figure in times of inflation?
FIFO
This inventory valuation method has an ending inventory figure that represents current cost (replacement cost)?
FIFO
This inventory valuation method provides a more realistic financial picture as current costs are matched against current revenues?
LIFO
What business forms are conduit entities?
sole proprietorship, general partnership, limited partnership, S Corp
Which business forms limit liability?
Limited partnership (for limited partners), C Corp, S Corp, LLC
How is basis in a general partnership calculated?
cash + adjusted basis of property contributed + share of debt + flow-through of income - flow-through of loss and distributions
Who is eligible for the self-employed health insurance deduction?
a sole proprietor, partner, or >2% owner in an S corp
In which form of business is it easiest to raise business capital?
C Corp
How does debt affect basis in an S-Corp?
Borrowing does not establish basis for shareholders. Shareholder have adjusted basis in the corporation to the extent that they have actually loaned money to the corporation.
Which form of business is generally the most expensive?
C Corp
Which form of business is subject to double taxation?
C Corp
Which business forms are eligible for Section 1244 stock treatment?
C Corp and S Corp
To what extent are losses in an S Corp deductible?
to the extent of basis in stock and debt
What is the maxmium number of shareholders allowed in an S Corp?
100
How many classes of stock may an S Corp have?
1
Who may be a shareholder in an S Corp?
US citizens or residents or domestic trusts
What percent of shareholders must elect for S Corp status?
100%
What percentage of shareholders must elect to revoke S Corp status?
majority
What special tax treatment does Section 1244 stock receive?
Up to $50,000/$100,000 in annual loss can be treated as an ordinary loss rather than a capital loss
What stock is eligible for Section 1244 treatment?
First $1 million of stock issued after incorporation
Does Section 1244 stock still receive special treatment after it is sold?
No
This is a statutory entity that is recognized by state law but not federal taxation law?
LLC
How is an LLC taxed?
A single member LLC is a disregarded entity. Otherwise, it is taxed as a partnership by default. S Corp status can be elected.
How is the qualified business income deduction computed?
20% of the lesser of:
- Qualified business income or
- Taxable income (reduced by net capital gain)
What industries qualify as Specified Service Businesses for QBI purposes?
Health, Law, Accounting, Actuarial Science, Performing Arts, Consulting, Athletics, Financial Services, Brokerage Services
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What is the phaseout range for QBI?
$163,300 - $213,300 (single)
$326,600 - $426,600 (joint)
What happens to a favored business within the phaseout range for QBI?
wage/property limit is phased in
How is the wage/property limit calculated for QBI?
For favored businesses above the phaseout range, the deduction is the lesser of:
- 20% of QBI or
- The greater of
a. 50% of the taxpayer’s allocable W-2 wages paid by the business or
b. 25% of the taxpayer’s allocable share of the W-2 wages paid by the business, PLUS 2.5% of the taxpayer’s allocable share of the unadjusted basis of all qualified property of the business
Land, anything permanently affixed or attached to the land, and certain items that cannot easily be moved.
Realty
Any type of property that is not realty.
Personalty
Property that has physical existence and can be touched and felt.
Tangible property
Property, such as a leasehold interest in real estate or a stock certificate, that has no physical existence of its own, but represents the evidence of ownership or value.
Intangible property
Property held for the taxpayer’s personal pleasure or enjoyment.
Personal Use property
What is the tax basis for purchased property?
Original cost + acquisition costs (including freight, installation, and taxes) + cost of subsequent capital improvements - amount of cost recovery deduction claimed