Individual tax Flashcards
(109 cards)
Filing as a surviving spouse or qualifying widow(er) requires;
Filing as a surviving spouse or qualifying widow(er) requires the individual’s spouse to have died during one of the previous 2 tax years. In addition, the survivor must maintain a household that is the principal place of residence for a dependent child. “Maintain” means the spouse furnishes over 50% of the costs of the household for the entire year.
What are the rules for a multiple support agreement?
The taxpayer must provide over one-half of the support of a dependent. An exception to the support test permits one of a group of taxpayers, who are otherwise eligible to claim the exemption and who together furnish more than one-half of the support of a dependent, to claim a dependency exemption even when no one person provides more than 50% of the support. Any such individual who contributed more than 10% of the support is entitled to claim the exemption if each of the other persons in the group who contributed more than 10% signs a written consent filed with the return of the claiming taxpayer.
What does the gross income test for a qualifying relative include and not include?
what is the minimum?
If gross income is less than $4,000 for 2015 can take an exemption.
Gross includes income that is taxable.
Does not include non taxable portion of scholarships, non taxable social security benefits, tax exempt interest.
Personal exemptions vs. Standard deduction
Personal exemption is $4,000 for 2015
Standard deduction is: Single $6,300 MFJ $12,600 SS/QW $12,600 HOH $9,250 MFS $6,300
Additional standard deductions: aged 65 or older and/or blind
Single, HOH $1,550
MFJ, MFS, SS $1,250
What is the personal exemption phase out for taxpayers with high incomes?
What are the rules?
If a TP’s AGI exceeded a specific threshold amount (based on filing status), the deduction allowed for personal and dependency exemptions is reduced by 2% for each $2,500, or fraction thereof, by which the adjusted gross income exceeds the threshold amount.
For single TP that phase out amount is $258,250.
So if TP made $260,300-258,250=2050/2500=.82 round up to 1 so reduce the $4,000 exemption for 2%.
What is alimony?
Alimony is any payment in cash if
(1) it is received under a divorce or separation agreement,
(2) the agreement does not designate the payment as not includible in gross income,
(3) the payee and payor are not members of the same household at the time the payment is made, and
(4) there is no liability to make such payment for any period after the death of the payee spouse.
is income recognized on the discharge of indebtedness?
Gross income includes income from the discharge of indebtedness for consideration.
When are security deposits considered income?
Security deposits are income if and when the lessor becomes entitled to the funds by reason of the lessee’s violation of the terms of the lease.
When are advance rent received included in income?
Advance rent received upon execution of a lease is includible in gross income in the year received, whether the taxpayer is on the cash or the accrual basis.
If rental property is rented for less than 15 days, how is income and expenses treated?
The IRC states that income from rental of a personal dwelling is excluded from income if rented for less than 15 days during the year. In addition, no deductions are allowed for rental use if rented for less than 15 days during the year.
If property is 100% rental, how are expense and income treated?
all expenses are deducted and a passive loss may occur.
Advanced payments for next year are included in income in which year?
Both cash- and accrual-basis taxpayers must include amounts in gross income upon actual or constructive receipt if the taxpayer has an unrestricted claim to such amounts.
Are refundable deposits included in income?
NO
are lease improvements made in lieu of rent included in income?
YES
If a lump sum of $60,000 is received as an agreement not to operate a competing enterprise within 10 miles of the store’s location, for a period of 6 years, what is that $60,000 considered?
It’s ordinary income since it replaces what would otherwise be ordinary income and it’s all included in the year received.
How do you calculate the taxable social security portion?
Lesser of:
50% of Social Security Benefits
50% (MAGI+50%(Social Security Benefits)-$32,000MFJ or $25,000 Single)
So basically if income is less than $32,000 for MFJ and $25,000 for Single, no need to tax.
But if SS income is $44,000 for MFJ and $34,000 for single then include 85% of it.
what amount of gambling winnings is included if claiming standard deduction? what about itemized deduction?
Gambling winnings (whether legal or illegal) are included in gross income. Therefore, Emil must include the full $10,000 in gross income. Gambling losses, i.e., amounts spent on nonwinning tickets, may be deductible but only as an itemized deduction to the extent of gambling winnings.
if an employer uses a nonaccountable plan to reimburse their employees for expenses, how much of it would be included in income? let’s say gets $400 for 12 months, but spent less than that amount.
In a nonaccountable plan, the reimbursements are included in the employee’s gross income, and all the expenses are deducted from AGI (below-the-line-deductions). These expenses are a miscellaneous itemized deduction subject to the 2% floor.
Are scholarships included in gross income?
When is any money received from school included in gross income?
Scholarships may be excluded from gross income provided a student is enrolled in a degree-seeking program and that the scholarship is used for qualified expenses such as tuition and fees. However, amounts received for services such as teaching must be included in gross income.
Are any amounts received for worker’s comp included in gross income?
Specifically excluded from gross income are amounts received under workers’ compensation acts as compensation for personal injuries or sickness.
Are inheritances and proceeds of a lawsuit for physical injuries included in Gross income?
Inheritances are excluded from the gross income of the recipient as gifts, and proceeds of a lawsuit for physical injuries, provided they are for actual damages, are specifically excluded from gross income as compensation for injury or sickness.
is interest on tax refunds taxable?
Yes, interest on tax refunds fully taxable.
What kinds of interest is excluded from income?
The exclusion applies only to interest on states and LOCAL government bonds (Federal government obligations and fully taxable)
As a result of a fire, Sam had to vacate his apartment for a month and move to a motel. If his normal living expenses are $800 and incurred expenses of $1500 because of vacating, Insurance money received $1100. What is included in income?
A taxpayer whose residence is damaged or destroyed and who must temporarily occupy another residence can exclude from gross income any insurance payment received as reimbursement for living expenses during such period. This exclusion is limited to the excess of actual living expenses incurred by the taxpayer, $1,500 over the normal living expenses of $800 the taxpayer would have incurred during the period, or $700. So $1100-700=400