Exam 11: Investor Losses

Gloria owns and works fulltime at a shop that rents watercraft of various types to tourists who are vacationing at the beach. If she generates a loss from that activity, the loss is subject to the passive activity loss rules because it is rental property.

A taxpayer is considered to be a material participant in a significant participation activity if he or she spends at least 400 hours in the activity.

Chen incurred $58,500 of interest expense this year related to his investments. His investment income includes $15,000 of interest, $9,000 of qualified dividends, and a $22,500 net capital gain on the sale of securities. The maximum amount of Chen's investment interest expense deduction for the year is:

Vic's at-risk amount in a passive activity is $200,000 at the beginning of the current year. His current loss from the activity is $80,000. Vic had no passive activity income during the year. At the end of the current year:

Which of the following is not a factor that should be considered in determining whether an activity is treated as an appropriate economic unit?

Tara owns a shoe store and a bookstore. Both businesses are operated in a mall. She also owns a restaurant across the street and a jewelry store several blocks away.

Tonya owns an interest in an activity (not real estate) that converted recourse financing to nonrecourse financing. Recapture of previously allowed losses is required if Tonya's at-risk amount is reduced below zero as a result of the debt restructuring.

Dena owns interests in five businesses and has full-time employees in each business. She participates for 100 hours in Activity A, 120 hours in Activity B, 130 hours in Activity C, 140 hours in Activity D, and 125 hours in Activity E.

Gray Company, a closely held C corporation, incurs a $50,000 loss on a passive activity during the year. The company has active income of $34,000 and portfolio income of $24,000. If Gray is not a personal service corporation, it may deduct $34,000 of the passive activity loss.

Bruce owns a small apartment building that produces a $25,000 loss during the year. His AGI before considering the rental loss is $85,000. Bruce must be a material participant with respect to the rental activity in order to deduct the $25,000 loss under the real estate rental exception.

Carl, a physician, earns $200,000 from his medical practice in the current year. He receives $45,000 in dividends and interest during the year as well as $5,000 of income from a passive activity. In addition, he incurs a loss of $50,000 from an investment in a passive activity. What is Carl's AGI for the current year after considering the passive investment?

When determining whether an individual is a material participant, participation by an owner's spouse generally counts.

Jenny spends 32 hours a week, 50 weeks a year, operating a bicycle rental store that she owns at a resort community. She also owns a music store in another city that is operated by a full-time employee. Jenny spends 140 hours per year working at the music store. She elects not to group them together as a single activity under the "appropriate economic unit" standard.

Jed spends 32 hours a week, 50 weeks a year, operating a bicycle rental store that he owns at a resort community. He also owns a music store in another city that is operated by a full-time employee. He elects not to group them together as a single activity under the "appropriate economic unit" standard. Jed spends 40 hours per year working at the music store.

Eric makes an installment sale of a passive activity having suspended losses of $40,000. He collects 25% of the sales price in the current year, and will collect 25% in each of the next three years. Eric can deduct $10,000 of the passive activity loss this year.

Mary Jane participates for 100 hours during the year in an activity she owns. She has no employees and is the only participant in the activity. The activity is a significant participation activity.

Bob realized a long-term capital gain of $8,000. In calculating his net investment income, Bob may elect to include the gain in investment income.

Last year, Ted invested $100,000 for a 50% interest in a partnership in which he was a material participant. The partnership incurred a loss, and Ted's share was $150,000. Which of the following statements is incorrect?

Joyce owns an activity (not real estate) in which she participates for 100 hours a year? her spouse participates for 450 hours. Joyce qualifies as a material participant.

Caroyl made a gift to Tim of a passive activity (adjusted basis of $50,000, suspended losses of $20,000, and a fair market value of $80,000). No gift tax resulted from the transfer.