Medium1 markMultiple Choice

CPA · Question 06 · Area I: Individual Compliance and Planning

A taxpayer expects their marginal tax rate to increase from 24% in Year 1 to 35% in Year 2. They have a $10,000 deductible expense they can pay in either December Year 1 or January Year 2. They also have a $10,000 consulting fee they can collect in December Year 1 or January Year 2. Assuming the time value of money is negligible for one month, what is the optimal strategy to minimize total tax liability?

Answer options:

A.

Pay the expense in Year 1 and collect the income in Year 1.

B.

Pay the expense in Year 1 and collect the income in Year 2.

C.

Pay the expense in Year 2 and collect the income in Year 1.

D.

Pay the expense in Year 2 and collect the income in Year 2.

How to approach this question

Tax Planning 101: Accelerate income into low-rate years; defer deductions into high-rate years.

Full Answer

C.Pay the expense in Year 2 and collect the income in Year 1.✓ Correct
Pay the expense in Year 2 and collect the income in Year 1.
To minimize tax liability: Recognize income in the year with the lower rate (Year 1 @ 24%). Recognize deductions in the year with the higher rate (Year 2 @ 35%). This strategy results in paying $2,400 tax on income and saving $3,500 tax on the deduction, for a net benefit.

Common mistakes

Applying the general rule of 'defer income, accelerate deductions' without considering the changing tax rates.

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