Chapter 4, Problem 55CP

Demarco and Janine Jackson have been married for 20 years and have four children who qualify as their dependents (Damarcus, Janine, Michael, and Candice). The couple received salary income of $100,000 and qualified business income of $10,000 from an investment in a partnership, and they sold their home this year. They initially purchased the home three years ago for $200,000 and they sold it for $250,000. The gain on the sale qualified for the exclusion from the sale of a principal residence. The Jacksons incurred $16,500 of itemized deductions, and they had $3,550 withheld from their paychecks for federal taxes. They are also allowed to claim a child tax credit for each of their children. However, because Candice is 18 years of age, the Jacksons may claim a child tax credit for other qualifying dependents for Candice.

1. a) What is the Jacksons’ taxable income, and what is their tax liability or (refund)?
2. b) Complete page 1, page 2, and Schedule 1 of the Jacksons’ Form 1040 (use the most recent form available).
3. c) What would their taxable income be if their itemized deductions totaled $28,000 instead of $16,500?
4. d) What would their taxable income be if they had $0 itemized deductions and $6,000 of for AGI deductions?
5. e) Assume the original facts but now suppose the Jacksons also incurred a loss of $5,000 on the sale of some of their investment assets. What effect does the $5,000 loss have on their taxable income?
6. f) Assume the original facts but now suppose the Jacksons own investments that appreciated by $10,000 during the year. The Jacksons believe the investments will continue to appreciate, so they did not sell the investments during this year. What is the Jacksons’ taxable income?