Exam 4: Tax Planning and Strategies

Name the sources of tax-free income.

Currently,the highest tax bracket for taxpayers is 37.5 percent.

If you are unable to file your tax returns by the deadline,you may file form 4868,Application for Automatic Extension of Time,and receive an extension of up to four months

Samuel Ahn recently graduated from college and started working in a promising career field. He has a little money invested in a stock that pays no dividends. He lives in an apartment, is single, and has no dependents. He has a $22,000 student loan balance and he paid $800 interest in 2014. He is considering going back to school part-time for some additional computer classes. He does not have a personal IRA, and he contributed 2 percent of his $39,500 salary to his employer's 401(k) plan in 2014. As he completes his tax return for 2014, use the information above and below to help him answer the following questions. Standard deduction for 2014: $6,200 Personal exemption for 2014: $3,950 Tax brackets for 2014: Taxable income range Tax rate Up to $9,075 10 percent More than $9,075 but under $36,900 15 percent More than $36,900 but under $89,350 25 percent -What is Samuel's adjusted gross income for 2014?

Which of the following statements about portfolio income from investments that are not held in a tax-deferred account,is accurate?

When considering a principal residence as a tax shelter,remember that you can

Samuel Ahn recently graduated from college and started working in a promising career field. He has a little money invested in a stock that pays no dividends. He lives in an apartment, is single, and has no dependents. He has a $22,000 student loan balance and he paid $800 interest in 2014. He is considering going back to school part-time for some additional computer classes. He does not have a personal IRA, and he contributed 2 percent of his $39,500 salary to his employer's 401(k) plan in 2014. As he completes his tax return for 2014, use the information above and below to help him answer the following questions. Standard deduction for 2014: $6,200 Personal exemption for 2014: $3,950 Tax brackets for 2014: Taxable income range Tax rate Up to $9,075 10 percent More than $9,075 but under $36,900 15 percent More than $36,900 but under $89,350 25 percent -What is Samuel's marginal tax rate for his current level of taxable income?

A regressive tax rate is one that increases as you make more income.

If you are in a 25 percent tax bracket then every dollar of your adjusted gross income will be taxed at 25 percent.

Six schedules are commonly used by taxpayers filing Form 1040.Give the title of each of these six basic schedules: A,B,C,D,E,EIC.

Income that comes from wages or a business is called

Strategies for maximizing deductions center on what three tactics?

Samuel Ahn recently graduated from college and started working in a promising career field. He has a little money invested in a stock that pays no dividends. He lives in an apartment, is single, and has no dependents. He has a $22,000 student loan balance and he paid $800 interest in 2014. He is considering going back to school part-time for some additional computer classes. He does not have a personal IRA, and he contributed 2 percent of his $39,500 salary to his employer's 401(k) plan in 2014. As he completes his tax return for 2014, use the information above and below to help him answer the following questions. Standard deduction for 2014: $6,200 Personal exemption for 2014: $3,950 Tax brackets for 2014: Taxable income range Tax rate Up to $9,075 10 percent More than $9,075 but under $36,900 15 percent More than $36,900 but under $89,350 25 percent -What is Samuel's gross income for 2014?

For many years Joseph paid someone else to file his income tax return. After taking a personal finance course at his local college, Joseph feels he is ready to tackle it on his own for tax year 2014. Joseph is single with an income of $43,000 and has no dependents. He has little interest income from savings, does not have a personal IRA, and plans to itemize deductions. Joseph owns a home and travels a lot with his job. He pays some of his own work-related expenses because his employer does not pay for all of them. His only personal investments include 1,500 shares of stock he inherited from his uncle, which he does not intend to sell for many years because the blue-chip company has a strong history of dividend income and share price appreciation. However, he does contribute monthly to his 401(k) plan at work. -To help Joseph with his tax planning,he should carefully track and maintain records for all of the following expenses during the tax year except

Which indicates the correct order for completing your tax returns?

In 2010 you purchased a share of stock for $125 and you sold it this year for $250.Legally,you don't need to pay any taxes on this transaction.

You and your spouse have earned salary and wages of $41,750.In addition you have municipal bond interest income of $600 and savings account and certificate of deposit interest income of $800.You paid a total of $600 in interest on your student loan.Using only this information,what is your adjusted gross income for tax purposes?

Samuel Ahn recently graduated from college and started working in a promising career field. He has a little money invested in a stock that pays no dividends. He lives in an apartment, is single, and has no dependents. He has a $22,000 student loan balance and he paid $800 interest in 2014. He is considering going back to school part-time for some additional computer classes. He does not have a personal IRA, and he contributed 2 percent of his $39,500 salary to his employer's 401(k) plan in 2014. As he completes his tax return for 2014, use the information above and below to help him answer the following questions. Standard deduction for 2014: $6,200 Personal exemption for 2014: $3,950 Tax brackets for 2014: Taxable income range Tax rate Up to $9,075 10 percent More than $9,075 but under $36,900 15 percent More than $36,900 but under $89,350 25 percent -What is Samuel's taxable income for 2014?

For many years Joseph paid someone else to file his income tax return. After taking a personal finance course at his local college, Joseph feels he is ready to tackle it on his own for tax year 2014. Joseph is single with an income of $43,000 and has no dependents. He has little interest income from savings, does not have a personal IRA, and plans to itemize deductions. Joseph owns a home and travels a lot with his job. He pays some of his own work-related expenses because his employer does not pay for all of them. His only personal investments include 1,500 shares of stock he inherited from his uncle, which he does not intend to sell for many years because the blue-chip company has a strong history of dividend income and share price appreciation. However, he does contribute monthly to his 401(k) plan at work. -Which of the following tax planning strategies could Joseph consider to reduce his future tax bills?

Adjusted gross income is your total gross income adjusted for inflation.