CHAPTER 3 COMPUTING THE TAX

1. Under the Federal income tax formula for individuals, a choice must be made between claiming deductions forAGI and itemized deductions.

a. True

b. False

2. Under the Federal income tax formula for individuals, the determination of adjusted gross income (AGI) precedes that of taxable income (TI).

a. True

b. False

3. Under the income tax formula, a taxpayer must choose between deductions forAGI and the standard deduction.

a. True

b. False

.

4. After Ellie moves out of the apartment she had rented as her personal residence, she recovers her damage deposit of $1,000. The $1,000 is not income to Ellie.

a. True

b. False

5. An “above the line” deduction refers to a deduction forAGI.

a. True

b. False

6. Because they appear on page 1 of Form 1040, itemized deductions are also referred to as “page 1 deductions.”

a. True

b. False

7. A decrease in a taxpayer’s AGI could increase the amount of medical expenses that can be deducted.

a. True

b. False

8. An increase in a taxpayer’s AGI could decrease the amount of charitable contribution that can be claimed.

a. True

b. False

9. All exclusions from gross income are reported on Form 1040.

a. True

b. False

10.The filing status of a taxpayer (e.g., single, head of household) must be identified before the applicable standard deduction is determined.

a. True

b. False

11.Lee, a citizen of Korea, is a resident of the U.S. Any rent income Lee receives from land he owns in Korea is not subject to the U.S. income tax.

a. True

b. False

12.The additional standard deduction for age and blindness is greater for married taxpayers than for single taxpayers.

a. True

b. False

13. The basicand additionalstandard deductions both aresubject to an annual adjustment for inflation.

a. True

b. False

14.Many taxpayers who previously itemized will start claiming the standard deduction when they purchase a home.

a. True

b. False

.

15.Once they reach age 65, many taxpayers will switch from itemizing their deductions fromAGI and start claiming the standard deduction.

a. True

b. False

16.Claude’s deductions fromAGI exceed the standard deduction allowed for 2014. Under these circumstances, Claude cannot claim the standard deduction.

a. True

b. False

17.As opposed to itemizing deductions fromAGI, the majority of individual taxpayers choose the standard deduction.

a. True

b. False

18.Howard, age 82, dies on January 2, 2014. On Howard’s final income tax return, the full amount of the basic and additional standard deductions will be allowed even though Howard lived for only 2 days during the year.

a. True

b. False

19.In 2014, Ed is 66 and single. If he has itemized deductions of $7,400, he should notclaim the standard deduction alternative.

a. True

b. False

20.Jason and Peg are married and file a joint return. Both are over 65 years of age and Jason is blind. Their standard deduction for 2014 is $16,000 ($12,400 + $1,200 + $1,200 + $1,200).

a. True

b. False

21.Derek, age 46, is a surviving spouse. If he has itemized deductions of $12,700 for 2014, Derek should notclaim the standard deduction.

a. True

b. False

22.Buddy and Hazel are ages 72 and 71 and file a joint return. If they have itemized deductions of $14,600 for 2014, they should notclaim the standard deduction.

a. True

b. False

23.Clara, age 68, claims head of household filing status. If she has itemized deductions of $10,250 for 2014, she should notclaim the standard deduction.

a. True

b. False

24.Monique is a resident of the U.S. and a citizen of France. If she files a U.S. income tax return, Monique cannot claim the standard deduction.

a. True

b. False

25.Dan and Donna are husband and wife and file separate returns for the year. If Dan itemizes his deductions from AGI, Donna cannotclaim the standard deduction.

a. True

b. False

26.Benjamin, age 16, is claimed as a dependent by his parents. During 2014, he earned $700 at a car wash.

Benjamin’s standard deduction is $1,350 ($1,000 + $350).

a. True

b. False

27.Debby, age 18, is claimed as a dependent by her mother. During 2014, she earned $1,100 in interest income on a savings account. Debby’s standard deduction is $1,450 ($1,100 + $350).

a. True

b. False

28.Katrina, age 16, is claimed as a dependent by her parents. During 2014, she earned $5,600 as a checker at a grocery store. Her standard deduction is $5,950 ($5,600 earned income + $350).

a. True

b. False

29.A dependent cannotclaim a personal exemption on his or her own return.

a. True

b. False

30.When separate income tax returns are filed by married taxpayers, one spouse cannotclaim the other spouse as an exemption.

a. True

b. False

31.Butch and Minerva are divorced in December of 2014. Since they were married for more than one-half of the year, they are considered as married for 2014.

a. True

b. False

.

32.For the year a spouse dies, the surviving spouse is considered married for the entire year for income tax purposes.

a. True

b. False

33.In determining whether the gross income test is met for dependency exemption purposes, only the taxable portion of a scholarship is considered.

a. True

b. False

34.Albert buys his mother a TV. For purposes of meeting the support test, Albert cannot include the cost of the TV.

a. True

b. False

35.Using borrowed funds from a mortgage on her home, Leah provides 52% of her own support, while her sons furnished the rest. Leah can be claimed as a dependent under a multiple support agreement.

a. True

b. False

.

36.Roy and Linda were divorced in 2013. The divorce decree awards custody of their children to Linda but is silent as to who is entitled to claim them as dependents. If Roy furnished more than half of their support, he can claim them as dependents in 2014.

a. True

b. False

37.In 2014, Hal furnishes more than half of the support of his ex-wife and her father, both of whom live with him. The divorce occurred in 2013. Hal may claim the father-in-law and the ex-wife as dependents.

a. True

b. False

38.After her divorce, Hope continues to support her ex­husband’s sister, Cindy, who does not live with her. Hope can claim Cindy as a dependent.

a. True

b. False

39.Darren, age 20 and not disabled, earns $4,000 during 2014. Darren’s parents cannotclaim him as a dependent unless he is a full-time student.

a. True

b. False

40.Lucas, age 17 and single, earns $6,000 during 2014. Lucas’s parents cannot claim him as a dependent if he does not live with them.

a. True

b. False