Basic Income Tax (Lesson 2) Flashcards
(202 cards)
Taxpayers are either
- Cash basis
- Accrual basis
Cash basis taxpayers recognize income when
- it is received or set aside
Accrual basis taxpayers recognize income when
- it is earned
- must report an amount in their gross income on the earliest of the following dates
- when payment is received
- when the income amount is due to the taxpayer
- when the taxpayer earns the income
When is a cash basis taxpayer deemed to receive income
- when it is credited to the taxpayers account
- set apart for the taxpayer
- made available to be taken into the taxpayers possession
What does the constructive receipt doctrine state
- When income is readily available to the taxpayer and that income is not subject to substantial limitations or restrictions that income is deemed to be constructively received and should be taxed
What is substantial limitations under the constructive receipt doctrine
- any substantial limitation or restriction on either the time or manner of payment and
- the financial condition of the debtor makes payment of the income in question impossible
What is a fiscal year
- a 12 month period ending on the last day of a month other than December
When can a fiscal year be elected
- adequate records are maintained
How can an individual change their tax year
- must file form 1128 to get IRS approval either under the automatic approval procedures or the ruling request procedures
What are the 5 filing statuses for taxpayers
- Single
- MFJ
- MFS
- Head of Household
- Qualifying widower with qualified child
When can a person file as MFJ
- married on the last day of the year
- Spouse dies in the tax year and taxpayer did not remarry (May file one year as MFJ)
When can an individual file as head of household
- considered unmarried on the last day of the year
- taxpayer must have paid more than half the cost of keeping up a home during the tax year
- qualifying person must have lived with the taxpayer for more than half of the year
A qualifying child is a qualifying person if
- if they are single
- they are married and you can claim an exemption for them
A qualifying relative who is your father or mother is a qualifying person if
- can claim an exemption for them
A qualifying relative other than your father or mother is a qualifying period if
- person lived with the taxpayer more than half the year and you can claim an exemption for them
When can a taxpayer file as a qualifying widower with qualified child
- can file under this for two years following the year in which the taxpayers spouse died if the following apply:
- taxpayer was eligible to file a joint return with his or her spouse in the year in which the taxpayers spouse died
- taxpayer has not remarried
- taxpayer has a child or stepchild for whom the taxpayer can claim as qualified
- child lived in the taxpayers home all year
- taxpayer paid more than half the cost of keeping up a home during the year
If one spouse itemizes and files as MFS what must the other spouse do
- Also itemize
Can a nonresident alien use the standard deduction
no
Can an individual filing return less than 12 months use the standard deduction
no
What is the standard deduction that a taxpayer who is claimed as a dependent of another taxpayer
equal to the greater of:
- $1,100 or
- $350 plus earned income (not exceeding the regular standard deduction)
What four tests must a qualifying child meet
- Relationship test
- Adobe test
- Age test
- Support test
What does a qualifying child have to do to meet the relationship test
Must be:
- is a descendant of the taxpayer, taxpayers sibling, or a descendant of the taxpayers sibling
- Cousin is not a qualifying child
What is the abode test for a qualifying child
- qualifying child must live with the taxpayer for more than half the year
- taxpayer and dependent are considered to occupy the household even during temporary absences due to special circumstances such as illness, education, business, vacation, or military service
What is the age test for a qualifying child
- must be either under 19 as of the end of the calendar year or
- a student under the age of 24 as of the end of the calendar year