Deck 1: Taxes and Taxing Jurisdictions

Question 1

A sales tax is an example of an activity-based tax.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

Ad valorem property taxes are the major source of revenue for local governments.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

The U.S. government has jurisdiction to tax individuals who are not U.S. citizens but who are permanent U.S. residents.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

A sales tax is an example of a transaction-based tax.

Question 5

Taxes on personal property are more difficult to administer and enforce than taxes on real property.

Question 6

The federal government imposed the first income tax to raise money to fight the War of 1812.

Question 7

A state government may levy either a sales tax or a use tax on consumers but not both.

Question 8

Sellers of retail goods are responsible for collecting sales tax from their customers and remitting the tax to the state government.

Question 9

A tax is intended to deter or punish unacceptable behavior.

Question 10

A user fee entitles the payer to a specific good or service from the government.

Question 11

A tax is a payment to support the cost of government.

Question 12

Purchasers of consumer goods through the mail are responsible for paying use tax on goods for which sales tax was not collected by the seller.

Question 13

Payment of a tax entitles the payer to a specific good or service from the government.

Question 14

The majority of state governments raise revenue from both personal and corporate income taxes.

Question 15

A tax with a graduated rate structure must have at least two brackets of tax base.

Question 16

Under U.S. tax law, corporations are entities separate and distinct from their shareholders.

Question 17

In some cases, the payer of a tax can shift the economic incidence of the tax to a third party.

Question 18

A tax on net income is an example of a transaction-based tax.

Question 19

The U.S. Constitution gives the federal government the power to impose a tax on income from whatever source derived.

Question 20

The person who pays a tax directly to the government always bears the economic incidence of the tax.

Question 21

A business that operates in more than one state is required to pay state income tax only to the state in which it is incorporated.

Question 22

Mr. Bilboa is a citizen of Portugal. Which of the following statements is true?

A) The U.S. government has no jurisdiction to tax Mr. Bilboa because he is not a U.S. citizen.
B) The U.S. government has jurisdiction to tax Mr. Bilboa if he is a permanent resident of the United States.
C) The U.S. government has jurisdiction to tax Mr. Bilboa if he earns income from a business he operates in Florida.
D) Both B. and C. are true.

Question 23

Acme Inc.'s federal income tax increased by $100,000 this year. As a result, Acme reduced the annual dividend paid on its common stock by $100,000. Who bears the incidence of the corporate tax increase?

A) Acme Inc.
B) Acme's customers
C) Acme's employees
D) Acme's shareholders

Question 24

Treasury regulations are tax laws written by the Treasury Department.

Question 25

The federal government does not levy property taxes or a general sales tax.

Question 26

The city of Mayfield charges individuals convicted of DWI (driving while intoxicated) $500 for the first conviction and $2,000 for any subsequent conviction. These charges are an example of a(n):

A) User's fee
B) Transaction-based tax
C) Activity-based tax
D) Government penalty

Question 27

Which of the following is an example of a transaction-based tax?

A) A tax on net business income
B) An excise tax
C) An estate tax on the transfer of assets at death
D) Both B. and C.

Question 28

The property tax on a rent house owned by Mr. Janey increased by $1,200 this year. Mr. Janey increased the monthly rent charged to his tenant, Ms. Lacey, by $45. Who bears the incidence of the property tax increase?

A) Mr. Janey
B) Ms. Lacey
C) Both Mr. Janey and Ms. Lacey
D) Neither Mr. Janey nor Ms. Lacey

Question 29

Which of the following statements regarding tax systems is false?

A) A single percentage that applies to the entire tax base is described as a flat rate.
B) When designing a tax, governments try to identify tax bases that taxpayers can easily avoid or conceal.
C) A tax base is an item, occurrence, transaction, or activity with respect to which a tax is levied.
D) With regard to tax systems, the term revenue refers to the total tax collected by the government.

Question 30

Acme Inc.'s property taxes increased by $65,000 this year. As a result, Acme increased the sale prices of its products to generate $65,000 more revenue. Who bears the incidence of the corporate tax increase?

A) Acme Inc.
B) Acme's customers.
C) Acme's employees.
D) Acme's shareholders.

Question 31

Fewer than half of the state governments depend on gambling as a source of revenue.

Question 32

The state of Virginia charges motorists 50 cents for every trip across a toll bridge over the James River. This charge is an example of a(n):

A) User's fee
B) Transaction-based tax
C) Activity-based tax
D) Excise tax

Question 33

Mrs. Renfru is a Brazilian citizen who permanently resides in Houston, Texas. Which of the following statements is true?

A) The U.S. government has no jurisdiction to tax Mrs. Renfru because she is not a U.S. citizen.
B) The U.S. government has jurisdiction to tax Mrs. Renfru only on income that she earns from a source within the United States.
C) The U.S. government has jurisdiction to tax Mrs. Renfru.
D) Mrs. Renfru can elect whether to pay tax to the United States or to Brazil.

Question 34

Which of the following is not characteristic of a tax?

A) A tax is compulsory.
B) A tax is intended to punish unacceptable behavior.
C) A tax is levied by a government.
D) All of the above are characteristics of a tax.

Question 35

The federal government collects more revenue from the corporate income tax than from the individual income tax.

Question 36

Acme Inc.'s property taxes increased by $19,000 this year. As a result, Acme eliminated $19,000 from its budget for the employee Christmas party. Who bears the incidence of the corporate tax increase?

A) Acme Inc.
B) Acme's customers.
C) Acme's employees.
D) Acme's shareholders.

Question 37

Businesses that sell over the internet must collect sales tax only from purchasers living in a state in which the business has a physical presence.

Question 38

The Internal Revenue Code is written by the Internal Revenue Service.

Question 39

Mrs. King is a U.S. citizen who permanently resides in South Africa. Which of the following statements is true?

A) The U.S. government has jurisdiction to tax Mrs. King.
B) The U.S. government has no jurisdiction to tax Mrs. King because she does not live in the United States.
C) The U.S. government has no jurisdiction to tax Mrs. King because she does not earn any income from a source within the United States.
D) Mrs. King can elect whether to pay tax to the United States or to South Africa.

Question 40

The potential for conflict among taxing jurisdictions is greatest for businesses operating on a global scale.

Question 41

Which of the following statements about sales and use taxes is true?

A) If an individual pays a sales tax on the purchase of an item, she will not have to pay a use tax on the purchase.
B) An individual must pay both a sales tax and a use tax on the taxable purchase of an item.
C) Many states that impose a sales tax do not impose a complementary use tax.
D) None of the above is true.

Question 42

Which of the following federal taxes is earmarked for a specific purpose?

A) Corporate income tax
B) Employment taxes
C) Unemployment taxes
D) Both B. and C. are earmarked taxes.

Question 43

The incidence of a state sales tax levied on the purchase of retail goods is:

A) Borne by the ultimate consumer of the goods.
B) Borne by the seller who must collect and remit the tax.
C) Borne by the manufacturer of the goods.
D) Borne by the government that levies the tax.

Question 44

A sales tax can best be described as a(n):

A) Consumption tax
B) Income tax
C) Activity tax
D) Ad valorem tax

Question 45

The city of Springvale imposes a net income tax on businesses operating within its jurisdiction. The tax equals 1% of income up to $100,000 and 1.5% of income in excess of $100,000. The Springvale Bar and Grill generated $782,000 net income this year. Compute its city income tax.

A) $10,230
B) $11,230
C) $11,730
D) None of the above

Question 46

Which of the following taxes is a significant source of revenue for local governments?

A) Real property tax
B) Employment tax
C) Income tax
D) None of the above

Question 47

Government Q imposes a net income tax on businesses operating within its jurisdiction. The tax equals 3% of income up to $500,000 and 5% of income in excess of $500,000. Company K generated $782,000 net income this year. Compute the income tax that Company K owes to Q.

A) $29,100
B) $14,100
C) $39,100
D) None of the above

Question 48

Which of the following characterizes a good tax base?

A) The base can be easily expressed in monetary terms.
B) Taxpayers cannot easily avoid or conceal the base.
C) Taxpayers cannot easily move the base from one jurisdiction to another.
D) All of the above characterize a good tax base.

Question 49

Mr. Smith resides in a state with a 6% sales and use tax. He recently traveled to another state to buy furniture and paid that state's 7% sales tax. Which of the following statements is true?

A) Mr. Smith is entitled to a refund of 1% of the purchase price of the sailboat.
B) Mr. Smith does not owe a use tax to his home state.
C) Mr. Smith's use tax liability to his home state equals 6% of the purchase price of the sailboat.
D) None of the above is true.

Question 50

Which of the following is an earmarked tax?

A) A tax imposed on the purchase of specific items such as liquor or cigarettes
B) A tax that generates revenues that the government can spend only to build more National Parks
C) A tax imposed only on individuals who earn more than $1 million annually
D) A tax that generates revenues that the government can spend for any purpose

Question 51

What is the major difference between a sales tax and an excise tax?

A) Sales taxes are levied by state governments, while excise taxes are levied only by the federal government.
B) Sales taxes are imposed on the purchase of a wide variety of items, while excise taxes are imposed on the purchase of a few specific items.
C) Sales taxes must be collected by the seller, while excise taxes must be paid directly by the purchaser.
D) Sales taxes are imposed on the purchase of tangible goods, while excise taxes are imposed on the purchase of services.

Question 52

Which of the following taxes is not a significant source of revenue for local governments?

A) Real property tax
B) Personal property tax
C) Employment tax
D) All of the above

Question 53

Which tax raises the most revenue for the federal government?

A) Corporate income tax
B) Individual income tax
C) Excise taxes
D) Transfer taxes

Question 54

Which of the following is not an advantage of state conformity to federal corporate income tax laws?

A) States have control over their corporate income tax revenues.
B) States do not have to enact comprehensive corporate income tax statutes.
C) Conformity eases the compliance burden of corporate taxpayers.
D) All of the above are advantages of state conformity.

Question 55

Which of the following is an example of an activity-based tax?

A) A tax on business' net income
B) An excise tax
C) A gift tax on the transfer of assets by gift
D) Both A. and C.

Question 56

Which of the following statements concerning sales taxes is false?

A) Sales taxes apply to the purchase of most types of consumer goods.
B) Sales taxes apply to the purchase of most types of consumer services.
C) Sales taxes are collected by the seller when the sale is made.
D) Sales taxes imposed on the purchaser of retail items are consumption taxes.

Question 57

Mr. Dodd resides in a state with a 6% sales and use tax. He recently traveled to another state to buy a sailboat and paid that state's 4% sales tax. Which of the following statements is true?

A) Mr. Dodd's use tax liability to his home state equals 2% of the purchase price of the furniture.
B) Mr. Dodd does not owe a use tax to his home state.
C) Mr. Dodd's use tax liability to his home state equals 6% of the purchase price of the furniture.
D) None of the above is true.

Question 58

Which of the following statements concerning property taxes is false?

A) Property taxes are ad valorem taxes.
B) Property taxes are the primary source of revenue for local governments.
C) Property taxes can be levied on realty or personalty.
D) None of the above is false.

Question 59

Which of the following taxes is a significant source of revenue for state governments?

A) General sales tax
B) Individual income tax
C) Corporate income tax
D) All of the above

Question 60

Which of the following is not characteristic of an excise tax?

A) An excise tax is levied on the retail sale of specific goods.
B) Excise tax rates typically are higher than general sales tax rates.
C) Purchasers of luxury items are responsible for paying any excise tax directly to the government.
D) All of the above are characteristics of an excise tax.

Question 61

Which of the following is/are not a primary source of authority for the tax law?

A) A revenue ruling published by the Internal Revenue Service
B) Section 162 of the Internal Revenue Code
C) Treasury Reg. §1.351-2
D) All of the above are primary sources of authority

Question 62

Which of the following statements concerning judicial authority is false?

A) Appellate court decisions have more authority than trial court decisions.
B) Supreme Court decisions have more authority than appellate court decisions.
C) Supreme Court decisions are the equivalent of law.
D) None of the above statements is false.

Question 63

Revenue rulings and revenue procedures are written by:

A) The Internal Revenue Service
B) The Department of the Treasury
C) The United States Congress
D) The Supreme Court

Question 64

Which of the following federal taxes is not earmarked for a specific purpose?

A) Employment taxes
B) Unemployment taxes
C) Transfer taxes
D) All of the above are earmarked taxes.

Question 65

Company D, which has its home office in Raleigh, North Carolina, conducts business in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Which of the following statements is true?

A) Because Company D must pay income tax to North Carolina, it is not required to pay tax to any other state.
B) Because Company D must pay income tax to North Carolina, it is not required to pay federal income tax.
C) Because Company D must pay income tax to the United States, it is not required to pay tax to Canada or Mexico.
D) None of the above is true.

Question 66

When did the federal income tax become a permanent tax?

A) Immediately after the Revolutionary War
B) During the Civil War
C) In 1913 when the Sixteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified
D) In 1939 when Congress enacted the first Internal Revenue Code

Question 67

Which of the following is not considered administrative authority?

A) Treasury regulations
B) Revenue rulings
C) Tax Court decisions
D) All of the above are administrative authorities

Question 68

Which of the following statements about Treasury regulations is false?

A) Treasury regulations are written to interpret and explain the Internal Revenue Code.
B) Treasury regulations are part of the statutory law.
C) A federal court can invalidate a Treasury regulation if the court concludes that the regulation incorrectly interprets the Internal Revenue Code.
D) None of the above is false.

Question 69

Which of the following does not contribute to the dynamic nature of the tax law?

A) The political pressure from professional lobbyists
B) Changes in the economic and social climate
C) Changes in revenue needs of the government
D) All of the above contribute to the dynamic nature of the tax law

Question 70

A revenue ruling is an example of:

A) Judicial authority
B) Administrative authority
C) Legislative authority
D) Editorial authority

Question 71

Which of the following does not characterize federal transfer taxes?

A) The tax is imposed on individuals but not on corporations.
B) The tax is based on the value of property transferred by gift or at death.
C) The tax is a transaction tax.
D) All of the above characterize federal transfer taxes.

Question 72

Company N operates a mail order business out of its headquarters in Tulsa, Oklahoma. This year, it mailed $892,000 worth of product to customers residing in Oklahoma and $489,300 worth of product to customers residing in Missouri. Which of the following statements is true?

A) Company N must collect Oklahoma sales tax from its Oklahoma customers and Missouri sales tax from its Missouri customers.
B) Company N must collect Oklahoma sales tax from both its Oklahoma and Missouri customers.
C) Company N must collect Oklahoma sales tax from its Oklahoma customers.
D) Company D is not required to collect sales tax on any mail order sales.

Question 73

Which of the following does not characterize federal transfer taxes?

A) The tax is imposed on the value of wealth transferred by an individual as a gift.
B) The tax is imposed on the value of wealth transferred because of the death of an individual.
C) The tax is imposed on the value of wealth transferred by an individual to charity.
D) All of the above characterize federal transfer taxes.

Question 74

Which of the following statements about the Internal Revenue Code is false?

A) The Internal Revenue Code has not been amended since 1986.
B) The Internal Revenue Code is part of federal statutory law.
C) The Internal Revenue Code consists of numerically organized sections.
D) Only Congress has the authority to amend the Internal Revenue Code.

Question 75

SJF Inc., which has its corporate offices in Boise, Idaho, conducts business in Idaho, Oregon, California, and British Columbia, Canada. Which of the following statements is true?

A) SJF must pay income tax only to Idaho and the United States.
B) SJF may be required to pay income tax to Idaho, Oregon, California, British Columbia, the United States, and Canada.
C) SJF must pay income tax only to Idaho, Oregon, California, and the United States.
D) SJF may be required to pay income tax to either the United States or to Canada, but not to both.

Question 76

Which of the following sources of tax law carries the most authority?

A) Revenue procedure
B) Treasury regulation
C) Supreme Court decision
D) The three sources of tax law have equal authority

Question 77

Which type of tax is not levied by the federal government?

A) Corporate income tax
B) Individual income tax
C) Employment taxes
D) General sales tax

Question 78

How often does Congress amend the Internal Revenue Code?

A) Rarely (the Internal Revenue Code has not been amended since 1986)
B) Occasionally (perhaps once every decade)
C) Regularly (at least once every five years)
D) Constantly (usually once a year)

Question 79

What gives the federal government the right to impose a tax on individual and corporate income?

A) Internal Revenue Code of 1986
B) Revenue Act of 1913
C) Sixteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
D) Bill of Rights

Question 80

Which of the following statements regarding the political process of creating tax law is false?

A) The political process contributes to the dynamic nature of the tax law.
B) Special interest groups have little effect on the tax legislative process.
C) When taxpayers device a new tactic for reducing their tax burdens, governments respond by enacting a new rule to render the tactic ineffective.
D) Changes in political philosophy often reflect shifts in the public attitude about the proper role of taxes in society.