Exam 8: Business Income, Deductions, and Accounting Methods

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: February thru December \ 112,000 \ 84,500 January 10,400 6,200 What income should David report from his sole proprietorship?

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?

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-related expenditures may Danny deduct as business expenses?

Individual proprietors report their business income and deductions on:

The Internal Revenue Code authorizes deductions for trade or business activities if the expenditure is "ordinary and necessary."

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.

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 the Todd's §481 adjustment for this year?

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?

Ranger Athletic Equipment uses the accrual method and reports on a calendar year. Ranger provides two-year warranties on all sales of equipment. This year Ranger estimated warranty expense for book purposes, and he accrued $1 million of warranty expenses. However, during the year Ranger only spent $400,000 repairing equipment under the warranty. What can Ranger deduct for warranty expense on the tax return for this year?

Murphy uses the accrual method and reports on a calendar year. This year Murphy signed a binding contract to provide consulting services to Kirby beginning next year. Murphy incurred $15,000 to train his staff for this particular project. In addition, Murphy estimates that he will incur another $60,000 to complete the Kirby contract. What amount, if any, can Murphy deduct this year for the services expected to be rendered next year?

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

Which of the following is NOT likely to be allowed as a current deduction for a landscaping and nursery business?

Which of the following is NOT considered a related party for the purpose of limitation on accruals to related parties?

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?

Which of the following is a true statement about travel that has both business and personal aspects?

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

The 12-month rule allows taxpayers to deduct the entire amount of certain prepaid business expenses.

Which of the following types of transactions may not typically be accounted for using the cash method?

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?

Joe operates a plumbing business that uses the accrual method and reports on a calendar year. This year Joe signed a $50,000 binding contract with Brian. Under the contract Brian will provide Joe with up to 2,000 hours of vehicle repairs at $25 per hour. This year Brian provided 200 hours of repair services and billed Joe for $5,000. At year end Joe had not paid Brian for the services. What amount, if any, can Joe deduct for the repair services this year?