Exam 1: Business Income, Deductions, and Accounting Methods

Ralph borrowed $4 million and used the proceeds in his internet business. The interest on this debt is not subject to an interest limitation if Ralph's business has average annual gross receipts of $25 million or less for the prior three taxable years.

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?

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 ________.

Which of the following is a True statement about a request for a change in accounting method?

George operates a business that generated revenues of $50 million and allocable taxable income of $1.25 million. Included in the computation of allocable taxable income were deductible expenses of $240,000 of business interest and $250,000 of depreciation. What is the maximum business interest deduction that George will be eligible to claim this year?

Todd operates a business using the cash basis of accounting. At the end of last year, Todd was granted permission to switch his sales on account to the accrual method. Last year Todd made $420,000 of sales on account and $64,000 was uncollected at the end of the year. What is Todd's §481 adjustment for this year?

Clyde operates a sole proprietorship using the cash method. This year Clyde made the following expenditures: $480 to U.S. Bank for 12 months of interest accruing on a business loan from September 1ˢᵗ of this year through August 31ˢᵗ of next year. $600 for 12 months of property insurance beginning on July 1 of this year. What is the maximum amount Clyde can deduct this year?

Manley operates a law practice on the accrual method and calendar year. At the beginning of the year Manley's firm had an allowance for doubtful accounts with a balance of $15,000. At the end of the year, Manley recorded bad debt expense of $23,000 and the balance of doubtful accounts had increased to $18,000. What is Manley's deduction for bad debt expense this year?

Alvin is a self-employed sound technician who reports on the cash method and calendar year. Alvin has a shop in Austin, Texas, but he spends much of his time away from his shop traveling to and from various concerts around the country. Alvin leases a truck to move his equipment around the country and this year he spent $12,000 in lease payments and paid $18,000 for gas, oil, and repairs. Alvin keeps records of his personal use of the truck and he estimates that 6,000 of the total 36,000 miles put on the truck this year were for personal trips. What amount of these expenses may Alvin deduct as business expenses? 

The test for whether an expenditure is reasonable in amount is whether the expenditure was for an "arm's length" amount.

Even a cash method taxpayer must consistently use accounting methods that "clearly reflect income" for tax purposes.

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?

Which of the following types of expenditures is not subject to capitalization under the UNICAP rules?

Bryon operates a consulting business and he usually works alone. However, during the summer Bryon will sometimes hire undergraduate students to collect data for his projects. This past summer Bryon hired Fred, the son of a prominent businessman, for a part-time summer job. The summer job usually pays about $17,000, but Bryon paid Fred $27,000 to gain favor with Fred's father. What amount of Fred's summer wages can Bryon deduct for tax purposes? Bryon is on the cash method and calendar year.

Which of the following is an explanation for why insurance premiums on a key employee are not deductible?

David purchased a deli shop on February 1ˢᵗ of last year and began to operate it as a sole proprietorship. David reports his personal taxes using the cash method over a calendar year, and he wants to use the cash method and fiscal year for his sole proprietorship. He has summarized his receipts and expenses through January 31ˢᵗ of this year as follows: What income should David report from his sole proprietorship?

Sandy Bottoms Corporation generated taxable income (before depreciation, interest expense and any tax loss carryovers) of $3 million this year. Taxable income included $75,000,000 of revenue and $350,000 of interest income. What is Sandy Bottom's domestic maximum interest expense deduction for the year?

Reasonable in amount means that expenditures can be exorbitant as long as the activity is motivated by profit.

According to the Internal Revenue Code §162, deductible trade or business expenses must be one of the following?

Judy is a self-employed musician who performs for a variety of events. This year Judy was fined $250 by the city for violating the city's noise ordinance with a relatively loud performance. As a consequence, Judy contributed $1,000 to a campaign committee formed to recall the city's mayor. Judy normally hires three part-time employees to help her schedule events and transport equipment. Judy paid a total of $33,000 to her employees through June of this year. In June Judy fired her part-time employees and hired her husband to replace them. However, Judy paid him $55,000 rather than $33,000. Judy is on the cash method and calendar year, and she wants to know what amount of these expenditures is deductible as business expenses.