Exam 9: Business Income, Deductions, and Accounting Methods

This year Clark leased a car to drive between his office and various work sites. Clark carefully recorded that he drove the car 23,000 miles this year and paid $7,200 of operating expenses ($2,700 for gas, oil, and repairs, and $4,500 for lease payments). What amount of these expenses may Clark deduct as business expenses?

Kip started a wholesale store this year selling bulk peanut butter. In January of this year Kip purchased an initial five tubs of peanut butter for a total cost of $5,000. In July Kip purchased three tubs for a total cost of $6,000. Finally, in November Kip bought two tubs for a total cost of $1,000. Kip sold six tubs by year end. What is Kip's ending inventory under the FIFO cost-flow method?

Blackwell Manufacturing uses the accrual method and reports on a calendar year. This year a customer was injured when visiting the Blackwell factory. The customer sued the company for $500,000, and the case is still being litigated. However, Blackwell's attorney expects that the company will pay at least $250,000 to settle the claim. What amount, if any, can Blackwell deduct for the expected claim settlement this year?

Smith operates a roof repair business. This year Smith's business generated cash receipts of $32,000 and Smith made the following expenditures associated with his business: The education expense was for a two-week, night time course in business management. Smith believes the expenditure should qualify as an ordinary and necessary business expense. What net income should Smith report from his business? Smith is on the cash method and calendar year.

A fiscal tax year can end on the last day of any month other than December.

Ajax Computer Company is an accrual method calendar year taxpayer. Ajax has never advertised in the national media prior to this year. In November of this year, however, Ajax paid $1 million for television advertising time during a "super" sporting event scheduled to take place in early February of next year. In addition, in November of this year the company paid $500,000 for advertising time during a professional golf tournament which will occur once in April of next year. What amount of these payments, if any, can Ajax deduct this year?

Jones operates an upscale restaurant and he pays experienced cooks $35,000 per year. This year he hired his son as an apprentice cook. Jones agreed to pay his son $40,000 per year. Which of the following is a True statement about this transaction?

A short tax year can end on any day of any month other than December.

Only half the cost of a business meal is deductible even if the meal is associated with the active conduct of business.

Mike operates a fishing outfitter as an accrual-method sole proprietorship. On March 1ˢᵗ of this year Mike received $15,000 for three outfitting trips. This is the first time Mike agreed to such a payment and he is obligated to outfit one trip per year for the next three summers beginning this year. How much income must Mike recognize in each of the next three years if he is attempting to minimize his tax burden?

The IRS would most likely apply the arm's length transaction test to determine which of the following?

Sam operates a small chain of pizza outlets in Fort Collins, Colorado. In November of this year Sam decided to attend a two-day management training course. Sam could choose to attend the course in Denver or Los Angeles. Sam decided to attend the course in Los Angeles and take an eight-day vacation immediately after the course. Sam reported the following expenditures from the trip: What amount of travel expenditures can Sam deduct?

Employees cannot deduct the cost of uniforms if the uniforms are also appropriate for normal wear.

John is a self-employed computer consultant who lives and works in Dallas. John paid for the following activities in conjunction with his business. Which is not deductible in any amount? 1) Dinner with a potential client where the client's business was discussed. 2) A trip to Houston to negotiate a contract. 3) A seminar in Houston on new developments in the software industry. 4) A trip to New York to visit a school chum who is also interested in computers.

Danny owns an electronics outlet in Dallas. This year he paid $600 to register for a four-day course in management in Chicago. Danny paid $800 in airfare and $1,000 for five nights lodging. After the course, Danny spent the last day sightseeing. During the trip, Danny also paid $140 a day for meals, and $80 a day for a rental car. What amount of these travel expenditures may Danny deduct as business expenses?

Adjusted taxable income for calculating the business interest limitation is defined as taxable income of the taxpayer computed without regard to any item of income, gain, deduction, or loss which is not properly allocable to a trade or business.

Jim operates his business on the accrual method and this year he received $4,000 for services that he intends to provide to his clients next year. Under what circumstances can Jim defer the recognition of the $4,000 of income until next year?

Beth operates a plumbing firm. In August of last year she signed a contract to provide plumbing services for a renovation. Beth began the work that August and finished the work in December of last year. However, Beth didn't bill the client until January of this year and she didn't receive the payment until March when she received payment in full. When should Beth recognize income under the accrual method of accounting?

Rock Island Corporation generated taxable income (before deductions for depreciation, interest expense and net operating loss carryovers) of $1 million this year. Taxable income was computed on $50 million of revenues and included $50,000 of interest income. The company paid $450,000 in interest expense. What is Rock Island's maximum business interest deduction for the year?

Ed is a self-employed heart surgeon who lives in Michigan and has incurred the following reasonable expenses. How much can Ed deduct? $1,000 in airfare to repair investment rental property in Colorado. $500 in meals while attending a medical convention in New York. $300 for tuition for an investment seminar "How to pick stocks." $100 for tickets to a football game with hospital administrators to celebrate successful negotiation of a surgical contract earlier in the day. The correct answer is ________.