Deck 5: Gross Income and Exclusions

Question 1

Barter clubs are an effective means of avoiding realization for tax purposes.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

The cash method of accounting requires taxpayers to recognize income only when that income is received as cash.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

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

Answer 3

True

Question 4

Excluded income will never be subject to the federal income tax.

Question 5

Constructive receipt represents the principle that cash basis taxpayers should be taxed on income when it is made available to them without substantial restrictions.

Question 6

When a carpenter provides $100 of services in exchange for $100 of groceries, the carpenter has realized $100 of income.

Question 7

Claim of right states that income has been realized if a taxpayer receives income and there are substantial restrictions on the taxpayer's use of the income.

Question 8

Recognized income may be in the form of cash or property received (but not services received).

Question 9

When a taxpayer sells an asset, the entire proceeds from the sale must be included in gross income regardless of the cost of the asset.

Question 10

Jim received a $500 refund of state income taxes this year. Jim will not need to include the $500 in his gross income this year because he did not deduct state income taxes last year.

Question 11

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

Question 12

When an asset is sold, the taxpayer calculates the gain or loss by subtracting the tax basis of the asset from the proceeds of the sale.

Question 13

Community property laws dictate that income earned by one spouse is treated as though it was earned equally by both spouses.

Question 14

Wherewithal to pay represents the principle that a realized transaction should require a taxpayer to sell other assets in order to pay income taxes.

Question 15

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.

Question 16

Interest income is earned in the year in which it is received by the taxpayer or credited to the bank account.

Question 17

The principle of realization for tax purposes is very different from realization as it is understood for financial reporting purposes.

Question 18

The tax benefit rule applies when a taxpayer refunds amounts that were previously included in income.

Question 19

The all-inclusive definition of income means that gross income is defined very broadly.

Question 20

Gross income includes all income realized during the year.

Question 21

An employee may exclude up to a 40 percent employer-provided discount on services.

Question 22

Rental income generated by a partnership is reported by partners as dividend income.

Question 23

A portion of each payment from a purchased annuity represents income.

Question 24

Earnings from 529 plans and Coverdell education savings accounts are excluded from gross income as long as they use the earnings to pay for qualifying educational expenditures.

Question 25

A taxpayer generally includes in gross income the amount of debt forgiven by a lender.

Question 26

Gambling winnings are included in gross income only to the extent that the winnings exceed gambling losses incurred during the same period.

Question 27

Interest earned on a city of Denver bond is excluded from gross income (for federal tax purposes).

Question 28

Generally, 85 percent of Social Security benefits are included in income of high income taxpayers.

Question 29

Unemployment benefits are excluded from gross income.

Question 30

Taxpayers meeting certain home ownership and use requirements can permanently exclude up to $1,000,000 of realized gain on the sale of their principal residence.

Question 31

The exclusion ratio for a purchased annuity is the cost of the annuity divided by the interest rate.

Question 32

The tax law includes a complex set of restrictions called the anti-frontloading rules to make it difficult for taxpayers to disguise property payments as alimony payments.

Question 33

Interest earned on a Federal Treasury bond is excluded from gross income (for federal tax purposes).

Question 34

The assignment of income doctrine requires that to shift income from property to another person, the taxpayer must transfer only the income to the other person.

Question 35

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

Question 36

Scholarships are excluded from gross income for degree candidates even if the scholarship pays for required fees and books in addition to tuition.

Question 37

For tax purposes, unearned income means income that has not yet been realized.

Question 38

Prizes and awards are generally taxable.

Question 39

Qualified fringe benefits received by an employee can be excluded from gross income.

Question 40

A below-market loan (e.g., from an employer to an employee) is a common example of a transaction that generates taxable imputed income.

Question 41

This year Barney purchased 500 shares of Bell common stock for $20 per share. At year-end the Bell shares were only worth $2 per share. What amount can Barney deduct as a loss this year?

A) $10,000
B) $9,000
C) $1,000
D) Barney can deduct $10,000 only if he includes $1,000 in his taxable income
E) None of these - Barney is not entitled to a loss deduction.

Question 42

Identify which of the items below help determine which taxpayer must recognize earned income:

A) Residence in a community property law state
B) Assignment of income
C) Residence in a common law state
D) Both residence in a community property law state and assignment of income above
E) All of these

Question 43

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

A) Tax refund rule
B) Constructive receipt
C) Return of capital principle
D) Tax benefit rule
E) None of these

Question 44

Worker's compensation benefits are excluded from gross income.

Question 45

Sally is a cash basis taxpayer and a member of the Valley Barter club. This year Sally provided 100 hours of sewing services to the barter club in exchange for two football playoff tickets. Which of the following is a true statement?

A) Sally need not recognize any gross income unless she sells the football tickets.
B) Sally's exchange does not result in taxable income.
C) Sally is taxed on the value of the football tickets even if she cannot attend the game.
D) Sally is taxed on the value of her sewing services only if she is a professional seamstress.
E) All of these are true.

Question 46

Identify the rule that states that income has been realized when a taxpayer receives the income and there are no restrictions on the taxpayer's use of the income (e.g., no obligation to repay the amount):

A) Claim of right
B) Constructive receipt
C) Return of capital principle
D) Wherewithal to pay
E) None of these

Question 47

Loretta received $6,200 from disability insurance that she purchased directly this year. Loretta must include all $6,200 in her gross income.

Question 48

Dave is a plumber who uses the cash method of accounting. This year Dave requested that his clients make their checks payable to his son, Steve. This year Steve received checks in the amount of $62,000 for Dave's plumbing services. Which of the following is a true statement?

A) Dave is taxed on $62,000 of plumbing income this year.
B) Steve is taxed on $62,000 of plumbing income this year.
C) Steve is taxed on $62,000 of income from gifts received this year.
D) Dave may deduct the $62,000 received by Steve.
E) All of these are true

Question 49

Hillary is a cash-basis calendar-year taxpayer. During the last week of December she received a letter containing a $5,000 check for services. Which of the following is a true statement?

A) Hillary is taxed on the $5,000 of service income in the year she cashes the check.
B) Hillary is taxed on the $5,000 of service income in the year the check was mailed.
C) Hillary is taxed on the $5,000 of service income in the year she receives the check.
D) Hillary is taxed on the $5,000 of service income in the year she provides the services.
E) None of these is true.

Question 50

Fred must include in gross income a $7,500 payment received from his neighbor to compensate Fred for the emotional distress he suffered when his neighbor accidentally ran over his dog.

Question 51

To provide relief from double taxation, Congress allows a foreign-unearned income exclusion for interest and dividends earned in foreign countries.

Question 52

Identify the rule dictating that on a sale of an asset a taxpayer need only include the incremental gain in gross income rather than the entire proceeds from the sale:

A) Tax benefit rule
B) Constructive receipt
C) Return of capital principle
D) Wherewithal to pay
E) None of these

Question 53

Brad was disabled for part of the year and he received $11,500 of benefits from a disability plan purchased by Brad's employer. Brad must include all $11,500 of benefits in his gross income because Brad was not taxed on the disability insurance premiums paid by his employer.

Question 54

U.S. citizens generally are subject to tax on all income whether it is generated in the United States or in foreign countries.

Question 55

Trevor received a gift of $25,000 in cash from his rich uncle. Trevor must include $15,000 of this gift in his gross income this year.

Question 56

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-separate from Jill?

A) $72,000 if they reside in a common law state.
B) $76,000 if they reside in a community property law state.
C) $84,000 if they reside in a common law state.
D) $78,000 if they reside in a community property law state.
E) All of these

Question 57

Gross income includes

A) all income from whatever source derived unless excluded by law.
B) excluded income.
C) deferred income.
D) all realized income.
E) All of these.

Question 58

Kevin provided services to several clients this year who paid with different types of property. Which of the following payments is not included in Kevin's gross income?

A) Cash
B) Shares of stock listed on the New York Stock Exchange
C) A used car
D) Gold coins
E) All of these are included in gross income

Question 59

Which of the following is not a necessary condition for income to be included in gross income?

A) income must be realized
B) income must be paid in cash
C) income cannot be excluded by law
D) income must be made available to a taxpayer on the cash basis
E) All of these

Question 60

Anna received $15,000 from life insurance paid upon the death of her grandmother. Anna can exclude the entire amount of the life insurance from her gross income.

Question 61

Barney and Betty got divorced this year. In the divorce decree Betty agreed to transfer 100 shares of common stock worth $50,000 and pay Barney $24,000 per year for five years (or until Barney's death or remarriage). What amount (if any) is included in Barney's gross income this year?

A) $24,000
B) $50,000
C) $74,000
D) $170,000
E) None of the payments are included in gross income

Question 62

Wilma has a $25,000 certificate of deposit (CD) at the local bank. The interest on this certificate, $1,000, was credited to her account this year but she must pay an early withdrawal penalty if she cashes in the CD before next year. Which of the following is a true statement?

A) Wilma must include the $1,000 of interest in her income this year.
B) Wilma must include the $1,000 of interest in her income when she cashes the CD.
C) Wilma must include the $1,000 of interest in her income this year only if the bank waives the early withdrawal penalty.
D) Wilma must include the $1,000 of interest in her income next year if she does not pay the early withdrawal penalty.
E) All of these

Question 63

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?

A) $7,500
B) $4,500
C) $12,000
D) $32,400
E) All of these

Question 64

Harold receives a life annuity from his qualified pension that pays him $5,000 per year for as long as he lives. Later this year Harold will recover the remainder of his cost of the annuity. Which of the following correctly describes how the annuity payments are taxed after Harold has recovered the cost of the annuity?

A) Harold will continue to apply the annuity exclusion ratio to determine the amount of each annuity payment includible in gross income.
B) Harold will include the entire amount of each annuity payment in gross income after he recovers the cost of the annuity.
C) The entire amount of each annuity payment is excluded from gross income after Harold recovers his cost of the annuity.
D) Harold must request that the IRS calculate his exclusion ratio based upon a revised life expectancy.
E) All of these

Question 65

Emily is a cash basis taxpayer, and she was an especially productive salesperson last year. In December of last year her supervisor told Emily she had earned a $5,000 bonus. However, Emily received the bonus check after year end. Identify the principle that will determine when Emily is taxed on the bonus:

A) Assignment of income
B) Constructive receipt
C) Return of capital principle
D) Wherewithal to pay
E) All of these

Question 66

Which of the following is a true statement about the first payment received from a purchased annuity?

A) The payment is included in gross income.
B) A portion of the payment is a return of capital.
C) The payment can only be taxed in the year after the annuity was purchased.
D) The payment is not taxed until the annuity payments cease altogether.
E) All of these

Question 67

Which of the following statements about alimony payments is true?

A) To qualify as alimony, payments must be made in cash.
B) Alimony payments are includible in the gross income of the recipient.
C) To qualify as alimony, payments cannot continue after the death of the recipient.
D) To qualify as alimony, payments must be made under a written agreement or divorce decree that does not designate the payments as "nonalimony" or child support.
E) All of these

Question 68

Nate is a partner in a partnership that received $5,000 of interest income this year. Nate's share of the interest is $1,000, and he should report this income on his individual return as:

A) business income
B) income from a partnership
C) interest income
D) dividend income because the partnership intends to organize next year as a limited liability company
E) All of these

Question 69

Charles and Camilla are getting divorced. Under the terms of the decree Charles will pay Camilla $50,000 in cash in each of the next five years (or until Camilla's death or remarriage). In addition, Charles will transfer a castle worth $2,000,000 to Camilla and pay $12,000 per year to support their son, Clyde, until he turns 19 years old. What amount (if any) is included in Camilla's gross income this year?

A) $2,062,000
B) $12,000
C) $50,000
D) $2,050,000
E) None of the payments are included in gross income

Question 70

Opal deducted $2,400 of state income taxes on her tax return last year. This year she received a state income tax refund of $170. What amount of the refund, if any, should Opal include in her gross income if last year her total itemized deductions exceeded the standard deduction by $350?

A) $2,050
B) $350
C) $180
D) $170
E) None of these - refunds of state income taxes are not included in gross income.

Question 71

This year Henry realized a gain on the sale of an antique car that he inherited from his uncle. The buyer has promised to pay Henry in installment payments over the next few years. Identify the principle that will determine when Henry should be taxed on the gain from the sale:

A) Assignment of income
B) Constructive receipt
C) Return of capital principle
D) Wherewithal to pay
E) All of these

Question 72

Rhett made his annual gambling trip to Uwin Casino. On this trip Rhett won $250 at the slots and $1,200 at poker. Also this year, Rhett made several trips to the race track, but he lost $700 on his various wagers. What amount must Rhett include in his gross income?

A) $1,450
B) $1,200
C) $750
D) $250
E) Zero - gambling winnings are not included in gross income

Question 73

Hal Gore won a $1 million prize for special contributions to environmental research. This prize is awarded for public achievement, and Hal directed the awarding organization to transfer $400,000 of the award to the Environmental Protection Agency. How much of the prize should Hal include in his gross income?

A) $400,000
B) $600,000
C) $1 million
D) None of these because all prizes are excludible
E) None of these because prizes from charities are excludible

Question 74

Ethan competed in the annual Austin Marathon this year and won a $25,000 prize for fastest wheelchair entrant. Ethan indicated that he would transfer the prize to the local hospital. How much of the prize should Hal include in his gross income?

A) $25,000
B) $25,000 because all prizes are taxable
C) Zero because prizes transferred to charities are excludible
D) Zero because all prizes are excludible
E) Zero because prizes from charities are excludible

Question 75

This year Mary received a $200 refund of state income taxes that she deducted on her tax return last year. Mary included a total of $4,000 of state income taxes when she itemized deductions last year. What amount of the refund, if any, should Mary include in her gross income this year?

A) $200 is included because Mary itemized her deductions last year.
B) $200 is included if itemized deductions exceeded the standard deduction by $200.
C) $200 is included because itemized deductions exceeded the standard deduction.
D) $200 is included even if Mary claimed the standard deduction.
E) None of these - refunds of state income taxes are not included in gross income.

Question 76

This year Ed celebrated his 25th 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?

A) $2,250
B) $2,000
C) $250
D) Zero if Ed offers to contribute his watch and bonus to a qualified charity
E) Zero - all employee awards are excluded from gross income

Question 77

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:

A) Assignment of income
B) Constructive receipt
C) Return of capital principle
D) Wherewithal to pay
E) All of these

Question 78

George purchased a life annuity for $3,200 that will provide him $80 monthly payments for as long as he lives. Based on IRS tables, George's life expectancy is 100 months. How much of the first $80 payment will George include in his gross income?

A) $80
B) $72
C) $48
D) $32
E) None of these

Question 79

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

A) The expected return is divided by the number of payments.
B) The original investment is divided by the prevailing interest rate.
C) The original investment is divided by the number of payments.
D) The expected return is divided by the prevailing interest rate.
E) None of these

Question 80

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

A) Tax basis of the property
B) Selling expenses
C) Amount realized
D) Tax basis of the property and Selling expenses
E) All of these