Each of the following independent cases involves interest payments, and the issue is interest deductibility.

Case A:

Linda Lands borrowed $700,000 and used the funds to purchase an income-producing property. Later on, she sold the property for $350,000. She used the $350,000 to acquire two properties: property A cost $100,000 and property B cost $250,000. How will the $700,000 in borrowing be linked to the two properties?

Case B:

Joanne Farm owned her home for many years and, over this period of time, had completely paid off the mortgage. Given the low interest rates that are available on mortgages, she negotiated a 10-year, $550,000 variable rate mortgage, with an interest rate of 2.65%. Joanne Farm then invested the entire $550,000 in publicly-traded securities. Would the interest on the mortgage be deductible? Explain your conclusion.

Case C:

Sam Smith borrowed $530,000 and invested the entire loan proceeds in publicly-traded securities. After 8 months, the securities value dropped to $300,000. At this point, Sam Smith sold the securities and used the proceeds to reduce the loan to $230,000. Since he no longer owns the securities, can Sam Smith deduct the interest on the remaining loan amount of $230,000? Explain your conclusion.

Case D:

Cole Sands borrowed $200,000 and used the funds to acquire an income-producing property. He then sold the property for $400,000. He used the proceeds to acquire two properties: property A cost $230,000 and property B cost $170,000. How will the $200,000 in borrowing be linked to the two properties?

Case E:

Barbara Cornel owned securities that had a current fair market value of $800,000. Using her margin balance available from her stockbroker, she borrowed $200,000 to finance a ring purchase to give to her mother. She paid $6,600 interest on it, during the time period when the margin loan was outstanding. Can she deduct this interest against the $17,000 income earned during this period on her securities? Explain your conclusion.