2016 Comprehensive United States Tax Problem

Dan and Cheryl are married, file a joint return, and have no children. Dan is a pharmaceutical salesman and Cheryl is a nurse at a local hospital. Dan's SSN is 400-20-1000 and Cheryl's SSN is 200-40-8000 and they reside at 2033 Palmetto Drive, Nashville, TN 28034. Dan is paid according to commissions from sales; however, his compensation is subject to withholding of income and payroll taxes. He also maintains an office in his home as the pharmaceutical company does not have an office in Nashville and when he is not traveling, Dan operates his business from his home office. During 2016, Dan earned total compensation from his job of $125,000, on which $18,000 of federal income taxes were withheld, $7,347 of OASDI, and $1,813 of Medicare taxes. State income taxes of $4,000 were withheld. Cheryl earned a salary during 2016 of $45,400, on which federal taxes withheld were $4,000, OASDI of $2,815, and Medicare taxes of $658.

During 2016, Dan and Cheryl had interest income from corporate bonds and bank accounts of $1,450 and qualified dividends from stocks of $5,950. Dan also actively trades stocks and had the following results for 2016:

LTCG $4,900

LTCL ($3,200)

STCG $0

STCL ($7,800)

He had no capital loss carryovers from previous years.

Dan does a considerable amount of travel in connection with his job. He uses his own car and is reimbursed $0.30 per business mile. During 2016, Dan drove his car a total of 38,000 miles (evenly throughout the year), of which 32,000 were business related. He also had business-related parking fees and tolls during the year of $280. Dan uses the mileage method for deducting auto expenses. Dan also had the following travel expenses while away from home during the year:

Hotel $4,200

Meals $820

Entertainment of customers $1,080

Tips $100

Laundry and cleaning $150

Total $6,350

Dan was reimbursed for the travel expenses by his employer, pursuant to an accountable plan, in the amount of $5,080.

Dan's expenses in connection with his office in the home were as follows:

Office supplies $ 290

Telephone (separate line) $1,100

Utilities (entire house) $3,400

Homeowners insurance $600

Interest and property taxes (see below for totals)

Repairs and maintenance (entire house) $800

Dan's office is 300 square feet and the total square footage of the house is 3,000 square feet. Dan and Cheryl purchased the house on June 12, 2001, for $280,000, of which $40,000 is attributable to the land.

Cheryl incurred several expenses in connection with her nursing job. She paid $450 in professional dues, $200 in professional journals, and $350 for uniforms. Dan and Cheryl had the following other expenditures during the year:

Health insurance premiums (after-tax) $ 4,400

Doctor bills $470

Real estate taxes on home $2,200

Personal property taxes $400 Mortgage interest $15,600

Charitable contributions cash $9,000

Charitable contributions GE stock owned for 5 years: FMV $8,000

Adjusted basis $2,000

Tax preparation fees $750

Compute Dan and Cheryl's income tax liability for 2016. Disregard the alternative minimum tax.