Question
Note: This problem is for the 2017 tax year. David R. and Ella M. Cole (ages 39 and 38, respectively) are husband and wife who
Note: This problem is for the 2017 tax year.
David R. and Ella M. Cole (ages 39 and 38, respectively) are husband and wife who live at 1820 Elk Avenue, Denver, CO 80202. David is a regional sales manager for Wren Industries, a national wholesaler of plumbing and heating supplies, and Ella is a part-time dental hygienist for a chain of dental clinics.
David is classified by Wren as a statutory employee with compensation for 2017 (based on commissions) of $95,000. He is expected to maintain his own office and pay for all business expenses from this amount. Wren does not require him to render any accounting as to the use of these funds. It does not withhold Federal and state income taxes but does withhold and account for the payroll taxes incurred (e.g., Social Security and Medicare). The Coles are adequately covered by Wren's noncontributory medical plan but have chosen not to participate in its 401(k) retirement plan.
David's employment-related expenses for 2017 are summarized below.
Airfare | $8,800 |
Lodging | 5,000 |
Meals (during travel status) | 4,800 |
Entertainment | 3,600 |
Ground transportation (e.g., limos, rental cars, and taxis) | 800 |
Business gifts | 900 |
Office supplies (includes postage, overnight delivery, and copying) | 1,500 |
The entertainment involved business meals for purchasing agents, store owners, and building contractors. The business gifts consisted of $50 gift certificates to a national restaurant. These were sent by David during the Christmas holidays to 18 of his major customers. In addition, David drove his 2015 Ford Expedition 11,000 miles for business and 3,000 for personal use during 2017. He purchased the Expedition on August 15, 2014, and has always used the automatic (standard) mileage method for tax purposes. Parking and tolls relating to business use total $340 in 2017.
When the Coles purchased their present residence in April 2014, they devoted 450 of the 3,000 square feet of living space to an office for David. The property cost $440,000 ($40,000 of which is attributable to the land) and has since appreciated in value. Expenses relating to the residence in 2017 (except for mortgage interest and property taxes; see below) are as follows:
Insurance | $2,600 |
Repairs and maintenance | 900 |
Utilities | 4,700 |
Painting office area; area rugs and plants (in the office)* | 1,800 |
*Treat as a direct office in home expense. |
In terms of depreciation, the Coles use the MACRS percentage tables applicable to 39-year nonresidential real property. As to depreciable property (e.g., office furniture), David tries to avoid capitalization and uses whatever method provides the fastest write-off for tax purposes.
Ella works part-time as a substitute for whichever hygienist is ill or on vacation or when one of the clinics is particularly busy (e.g., prior to the beginning of the school year). Assumed that Ella is an employee (not an independent contractor). Besides her transportation, she must provide and maintain her own uniforms. Her expenses for 2017 appear below.
Uniforms | $690 |
State and city occupational licenses | 380 |
Professional journals and membership dues in the American Dental Hygiene Association | 340 |
Correspondence study course (taken online) dealing with teeth whitening procedures | 420 |
Ella's salary for the year is $42,000, and her Form W2 for the year shows income tax withholdings of $4,000 (Federal) and $1,000 (state) and the proper amount of Social Security and Medicare taxes. Because Ella is a part-time employee, she is not included in her employer's medical or retirement plans.
Besides the items already mentioned, the Coles had the following receipts during 2017.
Interest income | ||
State of Colorado general purpose bonds | $2,500 | |
IBM bonds | 800 | |
Wells Fargo Bank | 1,200 | $4,500 |
Federal income tax refund for year 2016 | 510 | |
Life insurance proceeds paid by Eagle Assurance Corporation | 200,000 | |
Inheritance of savings account from Sarah Cole | 50,000 | |
Sales proceeds from two ATVs | 9,000 |
For several years, the Coles' household has included David's divorced mother, Sarah, who has been claimed as their dependent. In late November 2017, Sarah unexpectedly died of coronary arrest in her sleep. Unknown to Ella and David, Sarah had a life insurance policy and a savings account (with David as the designated beneficiary of each). In 2016, the Coles purchased two ATVs for $14,050. After several near mishaps, they decided that the sport was too dangerous. In 2017, they sold the ATVs to their neighbor.
Additional expenditures for 2017 include:
Funeral expenses for Sarah | $4,500 | |
Taxes | ||
Real property taxes on personal residence | $6,400 | |
Colorado state income tax due (paid in April 2017 for tax year 2016) | 310 | 6,710 |
Mortgage interest on personal residence (Rocky Mountain Bank) | 6,600 | |
Paid church pledge | 2,400 | |
Contributions to traditional IRAs for Ella and David ($5,500 + $5,500) | 11,000 |
In 2017, the Coles made quarterly estimated tax payments of $1,400 (Federal) and $500 (state) for a total of $5,600 (Federal) and $2,000 (state).
Relevant Social Security numbers are:
David Cole | 123-45-6788 |
Ella Cole | 123-45-6787 |
Sarah Cole | 123-45-6799 |
Required:
Using the appropriate forms and schedules, compute the Coles' Federal income tax for 2017. Disregard the alternative minimum tax (AMT) and the various education credits
- Make realistic assumptions about any missing data.
- Enter all amounts as positive numbers.
- If an amount box does not require an entry or the answer is zero, enter "0".
- If required, round all dollar amounts to the nearest dollar.
- It may be necessary to complete the tax schedules before completing Form 1040.
- When computing the tax liability, do not round your immediate calculations. If required, round your final answers to the nearest dollar.
- Need Business Income or loss (Form 1040)?? Thank you
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