Exam 8: Business Income, Deductions, and Accounting Methods

The domestic production activities deduction is a deduction for the incremental cost of manufacturing tangible assets in the United States.

A business generally adopts a fiscal or calendar year by using that year end on the first tax return for the business.

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.

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: Advertising \ 500 Car and truck expenses 1,360 Depreciation 3,200 Employee compensation 5,000 Education 1,000 The education expense was for a two-week, nighttime 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.

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?

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

The all-events test for income determines the period in which income will be recognized for tax purposes.

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

Anne is a self-employed electrician who reports her business income using the accrual method over a calendar year. On September 1st of this year Anne paid $2,280 of interest on a loan. The interest accrues evenly over 19 months ($120 per month) from June 1st of this year through December 31st of next year. In addition, on September 1st Anne also paid $2,700 for 18 months of professional liability insurance ($150 per month). What amount of interest and insurance can Anne deduct this year?

Shelley is employed in Texas and recently attended a two-day business conference in New Jersey. Shelley spent the entire time at the conference and documented her expenditures (described below). What amount can Shelley deduct as an employee business expense? Airfare to New Jersey $\quad\quad\quad\quad\quad\$ 2,000$ Meals $\quad\quad\quad\quad\quad\quad\quad\quad\quad\quad\quad220$ Lodging in New Jersey $\quad\quad\quad\quad\quad450$ Rental car $\quad\quad\quad\quad\quad\quad\quad\quad\quad\quad180$

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?

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?

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?

Otto operates a bakery and is on the cash method and calendar year. This year one of Otto's ovens caught fire and was partially destroyed. Otto bought it a few years ago for $20,000 and claimed depreciation of $12,000 up to the fire. Otto was charged $4,400 for repairs to the oven but the insurance company paid Otto $1,500 for the damage. What is Otto's casualty loss deduction?

Colbert operates a catering service on the accrual method. In November of year 1 Colbert received a payment of $9,000 for 18 months of catering services to be rendered from December 1st of year 1 through May 31st year 3. When must Colbert recognize the income if his accounting methods are selected to minimize income recognition?

George operates a business that generated adjusted gross income of $250,000 and taxable income of $170,000 this year (before the domestic production activities deduction). Included in income was $70,000 of qualified production activities income. George paid $60,000 of wages to employees engaged in domestic manufacturing. What domestic production activities deduction will George be eligible to claim this year?

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

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

Werner is the president and CEO of Acme, Inc. and this year he took a prospective client to dinner. During the dinner the President and the client discussed a proposed contract for over $6 million and personal matters. After dinner the CEO took the client to a football game and no business was discussed. The CEO paid $1,220 for an expensive dinner and spent $600 for tickets to the game. What is the deductible amount of these expenses?

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?