Exam 5: Gross Income and Exclusions

This year Ed celebrated his 25^th year as an employee of Designer Jeans Company. In recognition of his long and loyal service, the company awarded Ed a gold watch worth $250 and a $2,000 cash bonus. What amount must Ed include in his gross income?

The tax law defines alimony to include transfers of property (but not cash) between former spouses.

Identify the rule that determines whether a taxpayer must include in income a refund of an amount deducted in a previous year:

In January of the current year, Dora made a gift of stock to her granddaughter. At the time of the gift, the stock was worth $15,000. Several months later in the same year after the gift, a $500 dividend was declared on the stock and paid to Dora's granddaughter. What amount must Dora's granddaughter include in her gross income for the current year?

Aubrey and Justin file married filing separately. This year, Aubrey earned salary of $130,000, and Justin earned salary of $88,000. Aubrey and Justin live in a community property state. How much income earned will Justin report on his tax return for this year?

Fran purchased an annuity that provides $12,000 quarterly payments for the next 10 years. The annuity was purchased at a cost of $300,000. How much of the first quarterly payment will Fran include in her gross income?

Jake sold his car for $2,400 in cash this year. He will realize a taxable gain of $1,000 if he purchased the car for $1,400.

Desai and Lucy divorced in 2018. Lucy has custody of their child, Andrea, and under the divorce decree Desai pays Lucy $120,000 per year. The payments must be made in cash and will cease if Lucy dies or remarries. The payments drop to $100,000 per year once Andrea reaches the age of 18. How much of the payments should Lucy include in gross income this year?

Worker's compensation benefits are excluded from gross income.

Which of the following is a description of how the annuity exclusion ratio is calculated for an annuity paid over a fixed period?

This year, Barney and Betty sold their home (sales price $750,000; cost $200,000). All closing costs were paid by the buyer. Barney and Betty owned and lived in their home for 18 months. Assuming no unusual or hardship circumstances apply, how much of the gain is included in gross income?

Jack and Jill are married. This year Jack earned $72,000 and Jill earned $80,000 and they received $4,000 of interest income from a joint savings account. How much gross income would Jack report if he files married-filing-separate from Jill?

A taxpayer who borrows money will include that amount borrowed in their gross income under the all-inclusive definition of income.

Wendell is an executive with CFO Tires. At the beginning of this year the corporation loaned Wendell $50,000 at an interest rate of one percent. Wendell would have paid interest of $2,500 this year if the interest rate on the loan had been set at the prevailing Federal interest rate. Wendell used the funds as a down payment on a vacation home and during the year he paid $500 of interest to CFO. On December 31, CFO forgave the loan and remaining interest. What amount of gross income does Wendell recognize from the loan this year?

Brenda has $15,000 in U.S. Series EE saving bonds and she is considering whether to cash in the bonds. Under what conditions can Brenda exclude the interest on the savings bonds from her gross income?

Realized income is included in gross income unless a tax provision specifies that it can be deferred or excluded.

Pam recently was sickened by eating spoiled peanut butter. She successfully sued the manufacturer for her medical bills ($3,700), her emotional distress ($6,000 - she now fears peanut butter), and punitive damages ($44,000). What amount must Pam include in her gross income?

Alex is 63 years old and retired. This year Alex won $212,200 in the state lottery. Alex also received $20,000 from an annuity he purchased eight years ago. He purchased the annuity, to be paid annually for 15 years, for $157,500. Alex received $10,000 in Social Security benefits for the year. Calculate Alex's gross income.

To calculate a gain or loss on the sale of an asset, the proceeds from the sale are reduced by which of the following?

Ophra is a cash basis taxpayer who is employed in the publishing industry. This year her employer informed her that because of her outstanding performance she is entitled to a free world cruise. Ophra asked her employer to issue the cruise tickets to her parents, and he complied with this request. Identify the principle that will determine whether Ophra or her parents are taxed on the value of the cruise tickets: