Gerald and Moira Johnson, are married taxpayers with two children, Michael and Oliver. Oliver lives with the Johnsons and Michael is Geralds son from a former marriage. Oliver is 7 years old and Michael is 18.

Moiras Mother, Jane Sullivan also lives with Gerald and Moira. She has a small income but for the most part depends on Moira for her food, clothing and shelter.

Gerald is employed as a teacher for the local school district. He earned $46,000 last year, 2017, and had $6840 withheld from his wages for Federal taxes.

Moira runs her own business, Moiras Horticultural Creations. Information about the revenue and expenses of her business is as follows:

Sales $510,460

Inventory at Beginning of year $5500

Purchases during the year $202,300

Ending Inventory at End of year $13,400

Expenses:

Advertising 6,700

Wages to other employees 73,000

Rent of business equipment 20,000

Car and Truck expenses 9,650

Insurance 6,500

Mortgage on Building 7,600

Supplies 22,500

Taxes and Licenses 7,488

Meals and Entertainment 2,300

Utilities 12,000

Repairs and maintenance 1,000

Guard Dog 1,100

Professional Magazines 40

Uncollectible Accounts 2,890

Legal Services 1,800

Rent of Building 116,552

The Johnsons sold the stock they owned in Miller Corporation on December 12, 2017. They had originally paid $29,000 for the stock, they received $41,000. They had owned the stock since March of 2017.

They also sold some stock on the same day that they had owned for more than one year as follows:

GMC Corporation stock sold 200 shares for a total of $10,300. They had originally paid $10,000 for the stock in 2003.

Novara Corporation stock sold 100 shares for a total of 45,200. They had inherited this stock in 2000. The FMV on the date inherited was $38,150.

The Johnsons own two houses. One they live in and one that they rent to another family. The rental income for 2017 is $7,200. The expenses they incurred include Mortgage interest $3600, Taxes $1890, Utilities $810.

Gerald attended college this year. He took a few classes toward an MBA. He paid $4,000 in tuition

Gerald received a 1099 INT for the interest he received on some of his investments. He received $3200 from First National Bank, $4700 from Central Kansas Savings and Loan and $200 for Priceway Investments.

Gerald also received a 1099 DIV for dividends he received on some of his investments - $4000 from Edward D. Jones Investments, and $1300 from XYZ Investments.

The Johnsons have brought you their tax information for you to prepare their return. In addition they have brought you a list with supporting documentation for the following expenses they have incurred. They are not sure if all of these expenditures will be deductible.

Home mortgage interest $9100

State income taxes $1821

Medical Expenses $3200

Personal Property Taxes $200

Installation of in-ground pool $10,500

Tax Prep fees $400

Union Dues $600

Cash donations to church $9000

Safe Deposit Box $50

Moira had gambling winnings of $5400.

Moira paid $9,600 for health insurance for herself.

Answer the following questions regarding the Johnsons tax return for 2017.

What is the Gross Income for this family?

Which forms will need to be submitted to the IRS for this family?

What is their filing status?

What is the Adjusted Gross Income?

How much Self-Employment tax is owed by this small business owner?

How much Total Tax is owed by this family?

How could this family lower their tax liability?

List five questions you would ask this family if you were preparing their tax return for them that would be pertinent to making sure they have lowered their tax liability as much as possible.