Exam 16: Investment and Personal Financial Planning

Two years ago, Mr. Young paid $40,000 to buy a publicly traded corporate bond through his broker. The bond's stated redemption value was $45,000. This year, Mr. Young sold the bond for $47,100. Compute his gain or loss on sale.

The interest earned on a state or local government bond is exempt from federal taxation.

Twenty years ago, Mrs. Cole purchased an insurance policy on her own life. Mrs. Cole died this year, and the policy paid the $300,000 death benefit to her son Jeffrey. During her life, Mrs. Cole paid total premiums of $71,200 on the policy. Which of the following statements is true?

Life insurance proceeds are includible in the taxable estate of the decedent if the decedent was the owner of the policy.

Investment expenses are a miscellaneous itemized deduction subject to the 2% AGI limitation.

Which of the following are included in a decedent's taxable estate?

Twenty years ago, Mr. Wallace purchased a $250,000 insurance policy on his own life and named his daughter as sole beneficiary. He has paid $14,250 total premiums to keep this policy in force. This year, he liquidates the policy for its $20,000 cash surrender value. Which of the following statements is true?

Mr. and Mrs. Philips recognized the following capital gains and losses this year. Their AGI before consideration of these gains and losses was $140,000. Compute their AGI.

At the beginning of the year, Calvin paid $5,000 for 60 shares of Eddington stock. In June, he received a $300 cash distribution with respect to the stock. His Form 1099-DIV reported that $170 was an ordinary dividend and $130 was nontaxable. Compute Calvin's tax basis in his 60 shares at year-end.

In 1996, Mr. Exton, a single taxpayer, contributed $30,000 in exchange for 100 shares of Morton stock. In 2005, he paid $43,000 to another shareholder to purchase 100 more shares of Morton stock. Morton stock qualified as Section 1244 stock when it was issued. This year, Mr. Exton sold his 200 Morton shares for $250 per share. What is the amount and character of Mr. Exton's recognized loss?

Mr. Johnson borrowed money to buy Chicago municipal bonds. This year, he paid $2,000 of interest on his loan and earned $3,500 of interest income from the bonds. None of the interest expense is deductible.

Material participation in a business activity means that the individual is involved in the day-to-day operations on a regular, continuous, and substantial basis.

Ms. Lopez paid $7,260 interest on a mortgage on undeveloped land that she holds as an investment. Ms. Lopez's AGI is $112,200, which includes $4,900 interest income from a certificate of deposit. Which of the following statements is true?

Mr. Gray recognized a $60,000 loss on sale of his entire interest in a passive activity. He had a $52,000 passive activity loss carryforward from prior years. Mr. Gray can deduct the $52,000 loss in the year of sale.

Mr. Adams paid $53,500 in premiums on a whole life insurance policy. When he canceled the policy, he received its cash surrender value of $61,600. He must recognize $61,600 of income as a result of the cancellation.

Sixteen years ago, Ms. Herbert purchased an annuity for $96,000. Beginning in September of this year, the annuity began paying Ms. Herbert $4,000 per month for the rest of her life. Based on her age, Ms. Herbert's expected return is $300,000. How much of the $16,000 that she received this year is included in taxable income?

Tom Johnson, whose marginal tax rate on ordinary income is 35%, sold four investment assets resulting in the following capital gains and losses. How much of Tom's net capital gain is taxed at 15%?

The kiddie tax limits the tax savings from a transfer of income-producing property to a minor child by taxing a portion of such income at the parent's marginal tax rate.

Ms. Beal recognized a $42,400 net long-term capital gain and a $33,000 net short-term capital loss this year. What is her current net tax cost from her capital transactions if her marginal rate on ordinary income is 35%?

In 2001, Mrs. Qualley, contributed $100,000 in exchange for 1,000 shares of Little Corporation, which is a qualified small business. This year, Mrs. Qualley's only capital transaction was the sale of the 1,000 shares of Little qualified small business stock for $180,000. Compute Mrs. Qualley's tax on her capital gain from this sale.