Exam 5: Gross Income: Exclusions

If a tax-exempt bond will yield approximately .65 (1 - .35) times the yield on a taxable bond of equal risk, who benefits from the tax exemption: the Federal government, the state and local governments who issue the bonds, or the investors?

Agnes receives a $5,000 scholarship which covers her tuition at Parochial High School.She may exclude the $5,000 scholarship she received although the scholarship is to attend a private high school.

The plant union is negotiating with the Eagle Company, which is on the verge of bankruptcy.Eagle has offered to pay for the employees' hospitalization insurance in exchange for a wage reduction.The employees each currently pay premiums of $4,000 a year for their insurance.

Amber Machinery Company purchased a building from Ted for $250,000 cash and a mortgage of $750,000.One year after the transaction, the mortgage had been reduced to $725,000 by principal payments by Amber, but it was apparent that Amber would not be able to continue to make the monthly payments on the mortgage.Ted reduced the amount owed by Amber to $600,000.This reduced the monthly payments to a level that Amber could pay.Amber must recognize $125,000 income from the reduction in the debt by Ted.

Tonya is a cash basis taxpayer.In 2012, she paid state income taxes of $6,000.In early 2013, she filed her 2012 state income tax return and received a $600 refund.

Fresh Bakery often has unsold donuts at the end of the day.The bakery allows employees to take the leftovers home.The employees are not required to recognize gross income because the bakery does not incur any additional cost.

The taxpayer is a Ph.D.student in accounting at City University.The student is paid $1,500 per month for teaching two classes.The total amount received for the year is $13,500.

As an executive of Cherry, Inc., Ollie receives a fringe benefit in the form of annual tuition scholarships of $10,000 to each of his three children.The scholarships are paid by the company directly to each child's educational institution and are payable only if the student maintains a B average.

Adam repairs power lines for the Egret Utilities Company.He is generally working on a power line during the lunch hour.He must eat when and where he can and still get his work done.He usually purchases something at a convenience store and eats in his truck.Egret reimburses Adam for the cost of his meals.

A debtor undergoing a Chapter 11 reorganization under the bankruptcy laws who receives a discharge of his or her liabilities has realized income but can exclude the debt reduction from gross income.

Carmen had worked for Sparrow Corporation for thirty years when she died of a heart attack at age 60.She was practically penniless at the time of her death, owed a $12,000 hospital bill, and had a disabled spouse.The company was very concerned about its public image, and rather than run the risk of embarrassment from one of its long-term employees dying and leaving her spouse with insufficient means, the Board of Directors agreed to pay Carmen's hospital bill and to give her spouse $6,000 per year for the rest of his life.Discuss both sides of the question whether Carmen (or her estate) and her spouse realize any taxable income from the above.

The exclusion of interest on educational savings bonds:

If an employer pays for the employee's long-term care insurance premiums, the employee can exclude from gross income the premiums but all of the benefits collected must be included in gross income.

In December 2012, Emily, a cash basis taxpayer, received a $2,500 cash scholarship for the Spring semester of 2013. However, she did not use the funds to pay the tuition until January 2013.Emily can exclude the $2,500 from her gross income in 2012.

On January 1, 2002, Cardinal Corporation issued 5% 25-year bonds at par and used the $12,000,000 proceeds to finance the construction of a new plant.On January 1, 2012, the company acquired the bonds on the open market for $11,500,000.Assuming that Cardinal Corporation is neither bankrupt nor insolvent, the acquisition and retirement of the bonds results in which of the following:

Melody works for a company with only 22 employees.Her employer contributed $2,000 to her health savings account (HSA), and the account earned $100 in interest during the year. Melody withdrew only $1,200 to pay medical expenses during the year. Melody is not required to recognize any gross income from the HSA for the year.

Margaret is trying to decide whether to place funds in a qualified tuition program.Her son will be attending college in 4 years.She is in the 35% marginal tax bracket and she believes she can earn an 7% before tax return on alternative investments.Thus, $10,000 will accumulate to $11,948 (after-tax) in 4 years.Margaret expects tuition to increase at the rate of 5% each year to $12,155 in 4 years.Her son will be in the 15% marginal tax bracket in all relevant years.Given these assumptions, should Margaret participate in the qualified tuition program?

The taxpayer incorrectly took a $5,000 deduction (e.g., incorrectly calculated depreciation) in 2012 and as a result his taxable income was reduced by $5,000. The taxpayer discovered his error in 2013. The taxpayer must add $5,000 to his 2013 gross income in accordance with the tax benefit rule to correct for the 2012 error.

Jena is a full-time undergraduate student at State University and is claimed by her parents as a dependent.Her only source of income is a $10,000 athletic scholarship ($1,000 for books, $5,500 tuition, $500 student activity fee, and $3,000 room and board).Jena's gross income for the year is:

Harold bought land from Jewel for $150,000.Harold paid $50,000 cash and gave Jewel an 8% note for $100,000.The note was to be paid over a five-year period.When the balance on the note was $80,000, Jewel began having financial difficulties.To accelerate her cash inflows, Jewel agreed to accept $60,000 cash from Harold in final payment of the note principal.