7. Indicate the amount (if any) that Josh can deduct as an ordinary and necessary business deduction in each of the following situations. (Leave no answers blank. Enter zero if applicable.)

a. Josh borrowed $70,000 from the First State Bank using his business assets as collateral. He used the money to buy City of Blanksville bonds. Over the course of a year, Josh paid interest of $11,000 on the borrowed funds, but he received $5,700 of interest on the bonds.

Deductible Amount: $__________________

b. Josh purchased a piece of land for $81,500 in order to get a location to expand his business. He also paid $13,100 to construct a new driveway for access to the property.

Deductible Amount: $__________________

c. This year Josh paid $17,400 to employ the mayors son in the business. Josh would typically pay an employee with these responsibilities about $12,100 but the mayor assured Josh that after his son was hired, some city business would be coming his way.

Deductible Amount: $__________________