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Topic 11 - Deduction for Job Expenses and other items

Student instructions:  

You may need adobe acrobat to download forms and publications online.

Use IRS Publication 529  and California 540A / 540 Booklet to complete this topic.

Complete a Form 2106 for Dave Jones (553-55-6789). He is a painter and works for a company that caters to large homes in the community.

Then, complete a  Schedule A, Form 1040, and Form 540 (including Schedule CA).

Expenses:

bullet Uniforms**                                     $1,650.00
bullet Union Dues                                        $503.00
bullet Tax preparation fees                          $955.00
bullet Safe deposit box at bank                     $50.00 (to keep his jewelry safe)
bullet His total actual gas expenses             $3,200.00
bullet Parking while at a work site                $150.00
bullet DMV vehicle license tax (2007 dodge)         $326.00
bullet DMV vehicle license tax (1991 ford p-up)     $90.00
bullet Gambling losses*                                   $800.00
bullet Costs of meals while working late        $150.00
bullet Check writing fees for 2007                $90.00
bullet Speeding ticket (fine) while driving for work $430.00
bullet His lunches with co-workers while at work *** $980.00 (lunch with co-workers whilst talking about work improvements).

*According to his gambling diary, Dave had a total of $800 in gambling losses. He had no winnings in tax year 2007.

** His profession requires special white uniforms consisting of a white cap, white shirt (or jacket for cold weather), white bib overalls, and white work shoes required by his union to wear on the job.

Dave paid a total of $ 9, 600 in rent for his 1 bedroom apartment for 2007.

Dave used his automobile (2001 Ford Pick-up) for his job and used a total of 23,000 miles for the whole year. He started using his car car for work on January 1, 2007. His daily roundtrip miles are about 15 per day for a total of 5,400 for the whole year.  Other miles were 2,600. He totaled 15,000 miles that were qualified work related miles. He sometimes uses this pick-up truck to help his friends when they are moving. He kept a detailed record of his miles to and from work and his miles used at work to and from jobs.

He has another car (2007 Dodge Ram) that he purchased in November of 2006. He does not use this car for his job. 

In addition to his earnings from work, Dave had the following:

bullet Interest income from Bank        $ 672.00
bullet Unemployment compensation    $ 125.00

Dave also had educational expenses. He is trying to become a real estate agent.  His total investment was the following:

bullet books and supplies                          $ 370.00
bullet registration in real estate class        $ 499.99

In addition, Dave has resume printing and distributing costs for a total of $ 120.00 to land him a job in his new chosen real estate career.

 Mr. Jones is not married and has no children. All information on the following W-2 is current.

 

 

 

Use IRS Publication 529  to complete the following questions.

 

1. Look at the Form 1040 you prepared for Dave Jones. What is the amount on Form 1040, Line 40?

a. $ 13,003.
b. $ 10,503.
c. $ 11,353. 
d. None of the above.

2. Look at the Form 1040 you prepared for Dave Jones. What is the amount on Form 1040, Line 74a?

a. $ 1,482.
b. $ 1,730.
c. $ 1,355. 
d. None of the above.

3. You can deduct certain expenses as miscellaneous itemized deductions on

a. Schedule C (Form 1040).
b. Schedule F (Form 1040).
c. Schedule A (Form 1040).
d. None of the Above.

4. You make a bonafide loan to a corporation you work for. The corporation fails to pay you back. You had to make the loan in order to keep your job. You

a. don't have a business bad debt.
b. have a business bad debt as an employee.
c. shouldn't be making loans to the corporation as that is a very bad sign that they won't pay you your salary.
d. None of the above.

5. If you break an employment contract, you can deduct damages you pay your employer if the damages are not attributable to the pay you received from that employer.                      

True False

6. You can deduct only un-reimbursed employee expenses that are 

a. paid or incurred during the year.
b. for carrying on your trade or business of being an employee.
c. ordinary and necessary.
d. All of the above.

7. You may be able to deduct the following items as un-reimbursed employee expenses, except

a. business bad debt of an employee.
b. occupational taxes.
c. passport for a personal trip.
d. None of the above.

8. You can claim a depreciation deduction for a computer or cell phone that you use in your work as an employee if its use is

a. for the convenience of your employer.
b. required as a condition of your employment.
c. for a substantial business reason of your employer.
d. All of the above.

9. To claim a depreciation deduction for a computer or cell phone it is enough that your employer merely states that your use of the item is a condition of your employment.            

True False

10. You are an engineer with an engineering firm. You occasionally take work home at night rather than work late at the office. You own and use a computer that is similar to the one you use at the office to complete your work at home. You

a. can claim a depreciation deduction because you use the computer for work.
b. cannot claim a depreciation deduction.
c. can have your employer claim a depreciation deduction and later reimburse you for it.
d. None of the above.

11. You can deduct amounts you spend for preparing and mailing copies of a resume to prospective employers if you are looking for a new job in a new occupation.  

True False

12. You can deduct certain expenses you have in looking for a new job in your present occupation, even if you do not get a new job. You cannot deduct these expenses if

a. you are looking for a job in a new occupation.
b. there was a substantial break between the ending of your last job and your looking for a new one.
c. you are looking for a job for the first time.
d. Any of the above.

13. If you are a federal employee participating in a federal crime investigation or prosecution, you are not subject to the 1-year rule for deducting temporary travel expenses. This means that you may be able to deduct travel expenses even if you are away from your tax home for more than one year. To qualify, the attorney general must certify that you are traveling

a. for the federal government.
b. in a temporary duty status.
c. to investigate, prosecute, or provide support services for the investigation or prosecution of a federal crime.
d. All of the above.

14. You cannot reduce your gambling winnings by your gambling losses and report the difference. You must report the full amount of your winnings as income and claim your losses (up to the amount of winnings) as an itemized deduction. Your diary of winnings and losses should contain at least

a. the date and type of your specific wager or wagering activity and amounts won or lost.
b. the name and address or location of the gambling establishment.
c. the names of others present with you at the winning establishment.
d. All of the above.

15. If you were an educator in 2007 and you had qualified expenses that you cannot take as an adjustment to gross income, you can deduct the rest as an itemized deduction subject to the 

a. 4% limit.
b. 5% limit.
c. 1% limit.
d. 2% limit.

16. If you use a part of your home regularly and exclusively for business purposes, you may be able to deduct a part of the operating expenses and depreciation of your home. The regular and exclusive business use must be for the convenience of your employer and not just appropriate and helpful in your job. You can claim this deduction for the business use of part of your home only if you use that part of your home regularly and exclusively

a. As your principal place of business for any trade or business.
b. As a place to meet or deal with your patients, clients, or customers in the normal course of your trade or business.
c. In case of a separate structure not attached to your home, in connection with your trade or business.
d. All of the above.

17. You were blind and you must use a reader to do your work. You use the reader both during your regular working hours at your place of work and outside your regular working hours away from your place of work. The reader's services are only for your work. You

a. cannot deduct your services for the reader as impairment-related work expenses.
b. can deduct your services for the reader only during your regular working hours.
c. can deduct your services for the reader as impairment-related work expenses for all working hours.
d. None of the above.

18. You can deduct the cost and upkeep of work clothes if the following requirement is met.

a. you must wear the clothes as a condition of your employment.
b. the clothes are not suitable for everyday wear.
c. uniforms are not suitable for taking the place of your regular clothing.
d. All of the above.

19. When deducting expenses you incur in looking for a new job, the job you are looking for must be

a. in a different occupation.
b. in your tax home.
c. in your present occupation.
d. All of the above.

20. You can deduct expenses you have for education, even if the education may lead to a degree, if the education

a. Maintains or improves skills required in your present work.
b. Is required by your employer or the law to keep your salary, status, or job, and the requirement serves as business purpose of your employer.
c. Is not to meet the minimum educational requirements to qualify you in your work or business.
d. All of the above.

21. You can usually deduct legal expenses that you incur in attempting to produce or collect taxable income or that you pay in connection with

a. Either doing or keeping your job, such those you paid to defend yourself against criminal charges arising out of your trade or business.
b. The determination, collection, or refund of any tax.
c. Tax advice related to a divorce if the bill specifies how much is for tax advice and it is determined in a reasonable way, or those expenses that you pay in connection with collecting taxable alimony.
d. All of the above.

22.  You can generally deduct up to $25 of business gifts you give to any one individual during the year. This $25 limit does not apply if the gifted items are

a. Identical, widely distributed items costing $ 4 or less that have your name clearly and permanently imprinted.
b. Signs, racks, and promotional materials to be displayed on the business premises of the recipient.
c. Champagne bottles that are customary around the new year holidays.
d. All of the above.

23. Martha works as a laboratory technician in a local hospital. She is considering returning to her former occupation of a bookkeeper. If she takes a computer course to refresh her skills in a specific computer bookkeeping system,

a. She can deduct the cost of the course because she has already met the minimum education requirements of the bookkeeper job.
b. She cannot deduct the cost of the course because although she has met the minimum education requirements for the bookkeeping job, she is not presently working as a bookkeeper.
c. She can deduct the cost of the course because the course is required by her employer to work as a bookkeeper.
d. None of the above.

24. You can deduct the cost and upkeep of work clothes if you wear them as a condition of your employment and they are not suitable for everyday wear. It is not enough that you wear distinctive clothing. The clothing must be specifically required by your employer. Nor is it enough that you do not, in fact, wear your clothes away from work. Clothing 

a. Worn by a welder at the request of a foreman are deductible.
b. Can be suitable for taking the place of your regular clothing.
c. Must not be suitable for taking the place of your regular clothing.
d. Consisting of white cap, white shirt or white jacket, white bib overalls, and standard work shoes, such kind that painters wear are deductible.

25. Which of the following is reduced by the 2% limitation on miscellaneous deductions?

a. Tax preparation fee.
b. Un-reimbursed employee expenses.
c. Other expenses that go on Schedule A line 23.
d. All of the above.

26. You can deduct certain expenses as miscellaneous itemized deductions on Schedule A (Form 1040). You can claim the amount of expenses that is more than 2% of your adjusted gross income. You can also deduct items as miscellaneous itemized deductions that are not subject to the 2% limit. The following expense is not deductible in either case.

a. Lobbying expenses.
b. Investment-related seminars.
c. Gambling losses.
d. Both a and b are correct. 

27. In which situation would local transportation expenses NOT be deductible?

a. Transportation between the regular or main job and the second job.
b. Transportation between the regular or main job and a temporary work location.
c. Transportation between the second job and a temporary work location.
d. Transportation between your home (residence) and your main or regular place of work.

28. If you play the slot machines in a casino you must keep a record of the machine number and all winning by date and time the machine was played. You must report the full amount of your winnings for the year on Form 1040, line 21. You deduct your losses for the year on Schedule A (Form 1040), line 28. You

a. Can report your deductions on line 20 through 22 of Schedule A (Form 1040).
b. Cannot deduct gambling losses that are more than your winnings.
c. You can reduce your gambling winnings by your gambling losses and report the difference.
d. Both a and b are correct.

29. Debra Smith is employed as a salesperson. However, she is not a statutory employee. Her adjusted gross income is $55,000, and she did not receive any reimbursement for her expenses. She has the following qualifying miscellaneous expenses for 2007:

bullet Tax return preparation fees                         $ 200.
bullet Investment seminar                                     $ 300.
bullet Gambling losses (reported $200 as income)   $ 200.

What is the total that would be deductible by Debra on Schedule A?

a. $400.00
b. $700.00
c. $-0-.
d. None of the above.

30. If you are an employee, you generally must complete Form 2106 (or 2106-EZ) to deduct your travel, transportation, and entertainment expenses. Generally, you cannot deduct travel expenses paid or incurred in connection with

a. a definite work assignment.
b. a temporary work assignment.
c. an indefinite work assignment.
d. None of the above.

31. Look at the Form 540 you prepared for Dave Jones. What is the amount on Form 540, Line 18?

a. $ 9,440.
b. $ 11,090.
c. $ 10,503. 
d. $ 8,590.

32. Look at the Form 540 you prepared for Dave Jones. What is the amount on Form 540, Line 66?

a. $ 1,122.
b. $ 1,182.
c. $ 1,285. 
d. $ 1,309.

33. California and federal laws allow gambling losses only to the extent of reported gambling income.

True False

34. California lottery losses are deductible for California.

True False

35. If you completed federal Form 2106, prepare a second set of forms reflecting your employee business expense using California amounts following California tax laws. 

True False

36. Generally, California law conforms with federal law and therefore no adjustment is needed.

True False

37. Travel expenses paid or incurred in connection with temporary duty status, involving the prosecution (or support of the prosecution) of a federal crime, should not be included in the California amount.

True False

38. Pamela Weber is employed as a salesperson. She is not a statutory employee. Her adjusted gross income is $40,000, and she did not receive any reimbursement for her expenses. She has the following miscellaneous deductions:

bullet Entertainment expenses $500.
bullet Transportation expenses $500.
bullet Home office expenses $1,100.
bullet Tax return preparation $700.
bullet Investment seminar     $300.
bullet California lottery losses $300 (winnings were $500).

What is the total California deduction.

a. $ 3,100.
b. $ 2,800.
c. $ 3,400. 
d. None of the above.

39. If you have assets (requiring depreciation) that were placed in service before 1/1/1987, figure the depreciation based on federal law.

True False

40. Under California law, deductible travel expenses for state legislators include only those incurred while away from their place of residence overnight.

True False

 

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