Reference no: EM132667511
Tax Return Problem - Jane Smith, age 40, is single and has no dependents. She is employed as a legal secretary by Legal Services, Inc. She owns and operates Typing Services located near the campus of Florida Atlantic University at 1986 Campus Drive, Boca Raton, FL 33434. Jane is a material participant in the business. She is a cash basis taxpayer. Jane lives at 2020 Oakcrest Road, Boca Raton, FL 33431. Jane's Social Security number is 123-45-6781. Jane indicates that she wants to designate $3 to the Presidential Election Campaign Fund. Jane had health insurance for all months of 2018. During 2018, Jane had the following income and expense items:
1. $100,000 salary from Legal Services, Inc.
2. $20,000 gross receipts from her typing services business.
3. $700 interest income from Third National Bank.
4. $1,000 Christmas bonus from Legal Services, Inc.
5. $60,000 life insurance proceeds on the death of her sister.
6. $5,000 check given to her by her wealthy aunt.
7. $100 won in a bingo game.
8. Expenses connected with the typing service:
Office rent $7,000
Supplies 4,400
Utilities and telephone 4,680
Wages to part-time typists 5,000
Payroll taxes 500
Equipment rentals 3,000
1. $9,500 interest expense on a home mortgage (paid to San Jose Savings and Loan).
2. $15,000 fair market value of silverware stolen from her home by a burglar on October 12, 2018. Jane had paid $14,000 for the silverware on July 1, 2008. She was reimbursed $10,000 by her insurance company.
3. Jane had loaned $2,100 to a friend, Joan Jensen, on June 3, 2014. Joan declared bankruptcy on August 14, 2018, and was unable to repay the loan. Assume that the loan is a bona fide debt.
4. Legal Services, Inc., withheld Federal income tax of $15,000 and the appropriate amount of FICA tax from her wages.
5. Alimony of $10,000 received from her former husband, Ted Smith; divorce was finalized in 2012, and no changes have been made to the divorce decree since that time.
6. Interest income of $800 on City of Boca Raton bonds.
7. Jane made estimated Federal tax payments of $2,000.
8. Sales taxes from the sales tax table of $953.
9. Property taxes on her residence of $3,200.
10. Charitable contribution of $2,500 to her alma mater, Citrus State College.
11. On November 1, 2018, Jane was involved in an automobile accident. At the time of the accident, Jane's automobile had an FMV of $45,000. After the accident, the automobile's FMV was $38,000. Jane acquired the car on May 2, 2017, at a cost of $52,000. Jane's car was covered by insurance, but because the policy had a $5,000 deduction clause, Jane decided not to file a claim for the damage.
Required -
Part 1 - Tax Computation
Compute Jane Smith's 2018 Federal income tax payable (or refund due). If you use tax forms for your computations, at a minimum you will need Form 1040, Schedule 1 (Form 1040), and Schedules A, C, and D. Suggested software: ProConnect Tax Online.
Part 2 - Tax Planning
In 2019, Jane plans to continue her job with Legal Services, Inc. Therefore, items a, d, and l will recur in 2019. Jane plans to continue her typing services business (refer to item b) and expects gross receipts of $34,000. She projects that all business expenses (refer to item h) will increase by 10%, except for office rent, which, under the terms of her lease, will remain the same as in 2018. Items e, f, g, j, k, and s will not recur in 2019. Items c, i, m, n, p, q, and r will be approximately the same as in 2018. Based on this information, Jane would like you to provide a tentative computation of her 2019 taxable income. Prepare a memo to her tax files that details this computation.