Exam 9: Deductions: Employee and Self-Employed-Related Expenses

Meredith holds two jobs and attends graduate school on weekends. The education improves her skills, but does not qualify her for a new trade of business. Before going to the second job, she returns home for dinner. Relevant mileage is as follows: ​ How much of the mileage qualifies for deduction purposes?

Tracy, the regional sales director for a manufacturer of exercise equipment, pays $2,500 to rent a skybox for a visiting performance of the Harlem Globetrotters. The skybox holds 10 seats, and Tracy invites 7 clients to the event. Nonluxury seats range in price from $80 to $120. The refreshments provided during the event cost $600. If Tracy meets all of the requirements for deductibility (i.e., business discussion, substantiation), she may deduct:

When contributions are made to a traditional IRA, they are deductible by the participant. Later distributions from the IRA upon retirement are fully taxed.

Rod uses his automobile for both business and personal use and claims the automatic mileage rate for all purposes. During 2017, his mileage was as follows: ​ How much can Rod claim for mileage?

Aaron is a self-employed practical nurse who works out of his home. He provides nursing care for disabled persons living in their residences. During the day he drives his car as follows. ​ Aaron's deductible mileage for each workday is:

A worker may prefer to be treated as an independent contractor (rather than an employee) for which of the following reasons:

Match the statements that relate to each other. (Note: Choice L may be used more than once.) a.Must involve the same trade or business b.Must be for the convenience of the employer c.Meals while in route d.Lodging while in route e.Out-of-town job assignment lasts for more than one year f.Can include actual cost of parking g.Payment for services rendered based on tasks performed h.Excludes use of MACRS depreciation i.Taxpayer has tools and helper provided for him j.Transportation must be allocated if taxpayer spends two weeks on business and one week sightseeing k.Paralegal obtains a law degree l.Correct match not provided -Education expense that is not deductible to maintain or improve existing skills

Match the statements that relate to each other. (Note: Choice L may be used more than once.) a.Must involve the same trade or business b.Must be for the convenience of the employer c.Meals while in route d.Lodging while in route e.Out-of-town job assignment lasts for more than one year f.Can include actual cost of parking g.Payment for services rendered based on tasks performed h.Excludes use of MACRS depreciation i.Taxpayer has tools and helper provided for him j.Transportation must be allocated if taxpayer spends two weeks on business and one week sightseeing k.Paralegal obtains a law degree l.Correct match not provided -Deductible job-hunting expenses

Match the statements that relate to each other. (Note: Choice L may be used more than once.) a.Cover charge paid to entertain client at a night club. b.Deductible even if taxpayer does not take the new job c.Company picnic sponsored by employer d.Use of Federal per diem allowance to substantiate meals while in travel status e.Does not have to be job related f.Can include cost of car insurance and automobile club dues g.Distribution from plan is taxable h.Distribution from plan is not taxable i.Expatriate (U.S. person who is employed overseas) returns home to retire j.Taxpayer moves to a new residence 55 miles closer to his present job k.Country club membership fee l.Correct match not provided -Keogh (H.R. 10) plans

Jake performs services for Maude. If Maude provides a helper and tools, this is indicative of independent contractor (rather than employee) status.

Employees who render an adequate accounting to the employer and are fully reimbursed will shift the 50% cutback adjustment to their employer.

Match the statements that relate to each other. (Note: Choice L may be used more than once.) a.Cover charge paid to entertain client at a night club. b.Deductible even if taxpayer does not take the new job c.Company picnic sponsored by employer d.Use of Federal per diem allowance to substantiate meals while in travel status e.Does not have to be job related f.Can include cost of car insurance and automobile club dues g.Distribution from plan is taxable h.Distribution from plan is not taxable i.Expatriate (U.S. person who is employed overseas) returns home to retire j.Taxpayer moves to a new residence 55 miles closer to his present job k.Country club membership fee l.Correct match not provided -Time test (for moving expenses) waived

Sue performs services for Lynn. Regarding this arrangement, use the legend provided to classify each statement. a.Indicates employee status. b.Indicates independent contractor status. -Sue charges by the hour for her work.

Sue performs services for Lynn. Regarding this arrangement, use the legend provided to classify each statement. a.Indicates employee status. b.Indicates independent contractor status. -The services are performed at Sue's premises.

During the year, John went from Milwaukee to Alaska on business. Preceding a five-day business meeting, he spent four days vacationing at the beach. Excluding the vacation costs, his expenses for the trip are: ​ Presuming no reimbursement, deductible expenses are:

In November 2017, Katie incurs unreimbursed moving expenses to accept a new job. Katie cannot deduct any of these expenses when she timely files her 2017 income tax return since she has not yet satisfied the 39-week time test.

Match the statements that relate to each other. (Note: Choice L may be used more than once.) a.Cover charge paid to entertain client at a night club. b.Deductible even if taxpayer does not take the new job c.Company picnic sponsored by employer d.Use of Federal per diem allowance to substantiate meals while in travel status e.Does not have to be job related f.Can include cost of car insurance and automobile club dues g.Distribution from plan is taxable h.Distribution from plan is not taxable i.Expatriate (U.S. person who is employed overseas) returns home to retire j.Taxpayer moves to a new residence 55 miles closer to his present job k.Country club membership fee l.Correct match not provided -Job hunting expenses

Sue performs services for Lynn. Regarding this arrangement, use the legend provided to classify each statement. a.Indicates employee status. b.Indicates independent contractor status. -Sue was trained by Lynn.

Match the statements that relate to each other. (Note: Choice L may be used more than once.) a.Must involve the same trade or business b.Must be for the convenience of the employer c.Meals while in route d.Lodging while in route e.Out-of-town job assignment lasts for more than one year f.Can include actual cost of parking g.Payment for services rendered based on tasks performed h.Excludes use of MACRS depreciation i.Taxpayer has tools and helper provided for him j.Transportation must be allocated if taxpayer spends two weeks on business and one week sightseeing k.Paralegal obtains a law degree l.Correct match not provided -Tax home has changed

Which, if any, of the following factors is not a characteristic of independent contractor status?