Exam 4: Gross Income: Concepts and Inclusions

Alimony recapture may occur if there is a substantial decrease in the amount of the alimony payments in the second year.

Nicholas owned stock that decreased in value by $20,000 during the year, but he did not sell the stock. He earned $45,000 salary, but received only $34,000 because $11,000 in taxes were withheld. Nicholas saved $10,000 of his salary and used the remainder for personal living expenses. Nicholas's economic income for the year exceeded his gross income for tax purposes.

Under the terms of a divorce agreement, Ron is to pay his former wife Jill $10,000 per month. The payments are to be reduced to $7,000 per month when their 15 year-old child reaches age 18. During the current year, Ron paid $120,000 under the agreement. Assuming all of the other conditions for alimony are satisfied, Ron can deduct from gross income (and Jill must include in gross income) as alimony:

In 2017, Juan, a cash basis taxpayer, was offered $3 million for signing a professional baseball contract. He counter offered that he would receive $900,000 per year for 4 years beginning in 2018. The team accepted the counteroffer. Juan constructively received $3 million in 2017.

Margaret made a $90,000 interest-free loan to her son, Adam, who used the money to retire a mortgage on his personal residence and to buy a certificate of deposit. Adam's only income for the year is his salary of $35,000 and $1,400 interest income on the certificate of deposit. The relevant Federal interest rate is 8% compounded semiannually. The loan is outstanding for the entire year. a.Based on the above information, what is the effect of the loan on Margaret's gross income for the year? b.The facts are the same as above, except you discovered that Margaret had made an additional loan of $15,000 to Adam in the previous year. Adam used the funds to pay his child's private school tuition. What are the effects of the loans on Margaret's gross income?

Travis and Andrea were divorced. Their only marital property consisted of a personal residence (fair market value of $400,000, cost of $200,000), and publicly-traded stocks (fair market value of $800,000, cost basis of $500,000). Under the terms of the divorce agreement, Andrea received the personal residence and Travis received the stocks. In addition, Andrea was to receive $50,000 for eight years. I. ​ If the $50,000 annual payments are to be made to Andrea or her estate (if she dies before the end of the eight years), the payments will qualify as alimony. II) ​ Andrea has a taxable gain from an exchange of her one-half interest in the stocks for Travis' one-half interest in the house and cash. III) If Travis sells the stocks for $900,000, he must recognize a $400,000 gain.

Teal company is an accrual basis taxpayer. On December 1, 2017, a customer paid for an item that was on hand, but the customer wanted the item delivered in early January 2018. Teal delivered the item on January 4, 2018. Teal included the sale in its 2017 income for financial accounting purposes.

On January 1, Father (Dave) loaned Daughter (Debra) $100,000 to purchase a new car and to pay off college loans. There were no other loans outstanding between Dave and Debra. The relevant Federal rate on interest was 6 percent. The loan was outstanding for the entire year.

On December 1, 2016, Daniel, an accrual basis taxpayer, collects $12,000 rent for December 2016 and $12,000 for January 2017. Daniel must include the $24,000 in 2016 gross income.

Melissa is a compulsive coupon clipper. She often brags about the time she purchased a cart full of groceries for $5.00, when the cost without coupons would have been $50. Discuss whether Melissa realizes gross income from her coupon clipping.

Office Palace, Inc., leased an all-in-one printer to a new customer, Ashley, on December 27, 2017. The printer was to rent for $600 per month for a period of 36 months beginning January 1, 2018. Ashley was required to pay the first and last month's rent at the time the lease was signed. Ashley was also required to pay a $1,500 damage deposit. Office Palace must recognize as income for the lease:

Samantha and her son, Brent, are cash basis taxpayers. Samantha gave Brent a corporate bond with a face amount and fair market value of $10,000. On the date of the gift, March 31, 2017, the accrued interest on the bond was $100. On December 31, 2017, Brent collected $400 interest on the bond. Brent must include in gross income the $300 interest earned after the date of the gift.

Lois, who is single, received $9,000 of Social Security benefits. She also received $25,000 from dividends, interest, and her employer's pension plan. If Lois sells a capital asset that produces a $1,000 recognized loss, Lois's taxable income will decrease by more than $1,000.

In some foreign countries, the tax law specifically designates the types of income items that are includible in gross income. How does this approach compare with the U.S. Internal Revenue Code (§ 61)? What is a major advantage to the approach used in the U.S. tax law?

Sharon made a $60,000 interest-free loan to her son, Todd, who used the money to start a new business. Todd's only sources of income were $25,000 from the business and $490 of interest on his checking account. The relevant Federal interest rate was 5%. Based on the above information:

Tom, a cash basis taxpayer, purchased a bond on March 31 for $10,000, plus $100 accrued interest. In December, Tom collected $500 interest from the bond. Tom's interest income from the bond for the year is $500.

Norma's income for 2017 is $27,000 from part-time work and $9,000 of Social Security benefits. Norma is not married. A portion of her Social Security benefits must be included in her gross income.

Which of the following is not a requirement for an alimony deduction?

Jacob and Emily were co-owners of a personal residence. As part of their divorce agreement, Emily paid Jacob cash for his interest in the personal residence. This cash payment results in a taxable gain to Jacob if he receives more cash than his share of the cost of the residence.

In the case of a gift loan of less than $100,000, the imputed interest rules apply if the donee has net investment income of over $1,000.