Buckley, an individual, began a business two years ago and has never sold a §1231 asset. Buckley owned each of the assets since he began the business. In the current year, Buckley sold the following business assets:
Assuming Buckley's marginal ordinary income tax rate is 35 percent, answer the questions for the following alternative scenarios:

a. What is the character of Buckley's gains or losses for the current year? What effect do the gains or losses have on Buckley's tax liability?
b. Assume that the amount realized increased so that the building was sold at a $6,000 gain instead. What is the character of Buckley's gains or losses for the current year? What effect do the gains and losses have on Buckley's tax liability?
c. Assume that the amount realized increased so that the building was sold at a $15,000 gain instead. What is the character of Buckley's gains or losses for the current year? What effect do the gains and losses have on Buckley's tax liability?

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Asset Computers Machinery Furniture Building Original Cost $6,000 10,000 20,000 100,000 Accumulated Depreciation $2,000 4.000 12,000 10,000 Gain Loss (S3,000) (2,000) 7,000 (1,000)