Exam 9: Business Income, Deductions, and Accounting Methods

Which of the following expenditures is most likely to be deductible for a construction business?

Which of the following is a true statement about accounting for business activities?

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?

Taxpayers must maintain written contemporaneous records of business purpose when entertaining clients in order to claim a deduction for the expenditures.

The IRS would most likely apply the arm's length transaction test to determine which of the following?

Alvin is a self-employed sound technician who reports on the cash method and calendar year. Alvin has a shop in Austin, Texas, but he spends much of his time away from his shop traveling to and from various concerts around the country. Alvin leases a truck to move his equipment around the country and this year he spent $12,000 in lease payments and paid $18,000 for gas, oil, and repairs. Alvin keeps records of his personal use of the truck and he estimates that 6,000 of the total 36,000 miles put on the truck this year were for personal trips. What amount of these expenses may Alvin deduct as business expenses?

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?

Bill operates a proprietorship using the cash method of accounting, and this year he received the following payments: • $100 in cash from a customer for services rendered this year • a promise to pay $200 from a customer for services rendered this year • tickets to a football game worth $250 as payment for services performed last year • a check for $170 for services rendered this year that Bill forgot to cash How much income should Bill realize on Schedule C?

Business activities are distinguished from personal activities in that business activities are motivated by the pursuit of profits.

The Internal Revenue Code authorizes deductions for trade or business activities if the expenditure is "ordinary and necessary".

Which of the following is a true statement?

The domestic production activities deduction cannot exceed 50 percent of the wages paid to employees engaged in domestic manufacturing activities during the year.

Mike operates a fishing outfitter as an accrual-method sole proprietorship. On March 1^st of this year Mike received $15,000 for three outfitting trips. This is the first time Mike agreed to such a payment and he is obligated to outfit one trip per year for the next three summers beginning this year. How much income must Mike recognize in each of the next three years if he is attempting to minimize his tax burden?

Which of the following is a payment liability?

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 1^st of this year through August 31^st 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?

Qualified production activity income for calculating the domestic production activities deduction is limited to taxable income for a business or modified AGI for an individual.

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?

Ajax Computer Company is an accrual method calendar year taxpayer. Ajax has never advertised in the national media prior to this year. In November of this year, however, Ajax paid $1 million for television advertising time during a "super" sporting event scheduled to take place in early February of next year. In addition, in November of this year the company paid $500,000 for advertising time during a professional golf tournament which will occur once in April of next year. What amount of these payments, if any, can Ajax 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?

Danny owns an electronics outlet in Dallas. This year he paid $600 to register for a four-day course in management in Chicago. Danny paid $800 in airfare and $1,000 for five nights lodging. After the course, Danny spent the last day sightseeing. During the trip, Danny also paid $140 a day for meals, and $80 a day for a rental car. What amount of these travel-related expenditures may Danny deduct as business expenses?