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Study Guide Prepared by David M. Maloney, Ph.D., CPA University of Virginia William A. Raabe, Ph.D., CPA The Ohio State University Australia • Brazil • Japan • Korea • Mexico • Singapore • Spain • United Kingdom • United States South-Western Federal Taxation Comprehensive Volume 2009 EDITION Eugene Willis, Ph.D., CPA University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign William H. Hoffman, Jr., J.D., Ph.D., CPA University of Houston David M. Maloney, Ph.D., CPA University of Virginia William A. Raabe, Ph.D., CPA The Ohio State University
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Page 1: South-Western Federal Taxation Comprehensive  · PDF fileChapter 1 AN INTRODUCTION TO TAXATION ... 23-1 Chapter 24 MULTISTATE CORPORATE TAXATION ... federal income tax laws,

Study Guide

Prepared by

David M. Maloney, Ph.D., CPA University of Virginia

William A. Raabe, Ph.D., CPA The Ohio State University

Australia • Brazil • Japan • Korea • Mexico • Singapore • Spain • United Kingdom • United States

South-Western Federal Taxation Comprehensive Volume

2009 EDITION

Eugene Willis, Ph.D., CPA University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

William H. Hoffman, Jr., J.D., Ph.D., CPA

University of Houston

David M. Maloney, Ph.D., CPA University of Virginia

William A. Raabe, Ph.D., CPA The Ohio State University

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Study Guide to accompany South-Western Federal Taxation: Comprehensive Volume, 2009 Edition

Eugene Willis, William H. Hoffman, Jr., David M. Maloney, William A. Raabe Prepared by: David M. Maloney and William A. Raabe Vice President of Editorial, Business: Jack

W. Calhoun

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CONTENTS

PREFACE ........................................................................................................ v Chapter 1 AN INTRODUCTION TO TAXATION ............................................................ 1-1 Chapter 2 WORKING WITH THE TAX LAW.................................................................. 2-1 Chapter 3 TAX DETERMINATION; PERSONAL AND DEPENDENCY

EXEMPTIONS; AN OVERVIEW OF PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS ............ 3-1 Chapter 4 GROSS INCOME: CONCEPTS AND INCLUSIONS .................................... 4-1 Chapter 5 GROSS INCOME: EXCLUSIONS ................................................................ 5-1 Chapter 6 DEDUCTIONS AND LOSSES: IN GENERAL .............................................. 6-1 Chapter 7 DEDUCTIONS AND LOSSES: CERTAIN BUSINESS EXPENSES

AND LOSSES................................................................................................ 7-1 Chapter 8 DEPRECIATION, COST RECOVERY, AMORTIZATION,

AND DEPLETION.......................................................................................... 8-1 Chapter 9 DEDUCTIONS: EMPLOYEE AND SELF-EMPLOYED-RELATED EXPENSES ................................................................................................... 9-1 Chapter 10 DEDUCTIONS AND LOSSES: CERTAIN ITEMIZED DEDUCTIONS ........ 10-1 Chapter 11 INVESTOR LOSSES................................................................................... 11-1 Chapter 12 TAX CREDITS AND PAYMENTS................................................................ 12-1 Chapter 13 PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS: DETERMINATION OF GAIN OR LOSS,

BASIS CONSIDERATIONS, AND NONTAXABLE EXCHANGES............... 13-1 Chapter 14 PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS: CAPITAL GAINS AND LOSSES,

SECTION 1231, AND RECAPTURE PROVISIONS.................................... 14-1 Chapter 15 ALTERNATIVE MINIMUM TAX................................................................... 15-1 Chapter 16 ACCOUNTING PERIODS AND METHODS................................................ 16-1 Chapter 17 CORPORATIONS: INTRODUCTION AND OPERATING RULES.......... …17-1 Chapter 18 CORPORATIONS: ORGANIZATION AND CAPITAL STRUCTURE.......... 18-1

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Chapter 19 CORPORATIONS: DISTRIBUTIONS NOT IN COMPLETE LIQUIDATION.............................................................................................. 19-1

Chapter 20 CORPORATIONS: DISTRIBUTIONS IN COMPLETE

LIQUIDATION AND AN OVERVIEW OF CORPORATE REORGANIZATIONS.................................................................................. 20-1

Chapter 21 PARTNERSHIPS......................................................................................... 21-1 Chapter 22 S CORPORATIONS .................................................................................... 22-1 Chapter 23 EXEMPT ENTITIES..................................................................................... 23-1 Chapter 24 MULTISTATE CORPORATE TAXATION.................................................... 24-1 Chapter 25 TAXATION OF INTERNATIONAL TRANSACTIONS .................................. 25-1 Chapter 26 TAX PRACTICE AND ETHICS.................................................................... 26-1 Chapter 27 THE FEDERAL GIFT AND ESTATE TAXES............................................... 27-1 Chapter 28 INCOME TAXATION OF TRUSTS AND ESTATES .................................... 28-1

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PREFACE This Study Guide accompanies the 2009 edition of West Federal Taxation: Comprehensive Volume. The textbook is designed for a thorough one- or two-semester undergraduate or graduate course in federal taxation. Thus, because the scope of the text is quite broad, you will be required to digest a large amount of fairly complex information in a short period of time. In recognition of the difficulty of such a task, this Study Guide was created. It offers you an additional review of the content of the text chapters in outline form, to allow a rapid perusal. Moreover, additional problems and exercises are contained in the Study Guide for review. These exercises are presented in a self-evaluation format, with the suggested solutions directly following the problem statements, so that you can receive immediate feedback as to the accuracy of your answers. In addition, to aid further study, the reference is provided for each solution to the appropriate section within the text where the relevant material is discussed. These problems take a number of different formats, including true and false, fill-in-the-blank, multiple choice, and short answers. We believe that this arrangement will maximize your understanding of the text material in a reasonable period of time. It is important that you use this Study Guide as an aid to mastering the material in the textbook, and not as a replacement for it. We suggest that you incorporate the Study Guide into your regular study routine, perhaps by reviewing the Chapter Highlights after reading the text, and then working the Study Guide problems before attempting those assigned in the text. We wish you the best of luck in your study of federal taxation and hope that this Study Guide will prove beneficial!

David M. Maloney William A. Raabe March 2008

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CHAPTER HIGHLIGHTS

proper analysis of the US tax system begins with an examination of historical principles that guide the development of the system, and with an investigation of the various motivations that underlie existing provisions of the tax law. This chapter also introduces the reader to important tax terminology.

I. History of US Taxation [p. 1-2]

A. An income tax on individuals was used to provide financing for the Civil War. When the war ended, the tax was repealed. In 1894, a new individual income tax was enacted, but the Supreme Court held the tax to be unconstitutional. After a constitutional challenge to the taxation of income, the Sixteenth Amendment, which sanctioned both the federal individual and corporate income taxes, was ratified in

income tax was adopted in 1909. B. Revenue Acts, which rewrote completely the federal tax provisions, were enacted

every year or two between 1913 and 1939. These provisions were reorganized and included, in a more permanent form, in the Internal Revenue Code of 1939. Thereafter, tax laws were changed when Congress adopted amendments to the 1939 Code; i.e., a complete rewriting of the laws was unnecessary. A revised Internal Revenue Code was adopted in 1954. The 1954 Code was the controlling body of the tax law until 1986. In 1986, Congress enacted the most comprehensive

overhaul of the Internal Revenue Code in over thirty years. As a result of the massive changes contained in the new law, the federal tax code was renamed the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. Nevertheless, many of the provisions of the 1954 Code were carried over to the 1986 Code.

A

CHAPTER 1 AN INTRODUCTION TO TAXATION

1913. The present income tax on individuals was enacted in 1913. A corporate

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C. In an effort to close various loopholes and to reduce a recurring budget deficit, changes in the tax law have been enacted nearly every year since 1986.

D. One trend that has caused considerable concern is the increased complexity of the federal income tax laws, which imposes substantial taxpayer compliance costs. Congress has added to this complexity through frequent changes in the tax laws.

E. Income tax collections from individuals and corporations constitute about half of all federal tax receipts. The FICA (Social Security) tax now constitutes over one-third of all federal tax receipts, while corporate income tax receipts have fallen drastically since the 1940s.

II. Tax Terminology [The Tax Structure p. 1-5]

A. Tax rates can be structured to yield a: 1. Proportional tax: The rate of tax remains constant over the tax base; 2. Progressive tax: Tax rates increase as the tax base grows larger; or, 3. Regressive tax: Tax rates decrease as the tax base grows larger.

B. Taxes should be designed with: 1. Equality of tax treatment among taxpayers in similar circumstances; 2. Convenience of collection, computation, and administration; 3. Certainty in application, so that tax planning can occur; and, 4. Economical administration, which requires only nominal collection costs by the

government and involves minimal compliance costs on the part of the taxpayer.

C. Types of taxes observed in recent history include 1. Ad valorem taxes are taxes on

wealth or capital. For instance, these taxes include the existing real property taxes and personal property taxes, presently favored by state and local governments. The real property tax features a high degree of taxpayer compliance, political manipulation of the assessment process, and assessments based on appraisals, capitalization of attendant income, and actual purchase or construction costs. However, there is inconsistent taxpayer compliance relative to personal property taxes.

2. Transaction taxes are levied on the transfer of property among taxpayers. Examples of transaction taxes include: excise taxes, sales and use taxes; death and gift taxes; severance taxes, and the value added tax (VAT). Excise taxes are levied by federal and state governments on the exchange of specified commodities, e.g., certain "luxury" items, oil, alcohol, and tobacco. Excise taxes are effective when consumers demonstrate a price-inelastic demand for the commodity.

Sales and use taxes, which are applied by state and local governments cover a multitude of transactions. Debate relative to this tax centers on the appropriate items, the sale of which will be subject to the tax. Death and gift taxes are levied by federal and state governments on lifetime or testamentary transfers of property to others. Severance taxes are imposed by some states on the extraction of natural resources. In the Common Market countries of Western Europe, the VAT has gained acceptance as a major source of revenue.

• Progressive/Regressive/

Proportional Tax Rates • Economic, Social, Equity,

Political Motivations • IRS, Treasury Department • Income, Wealth, Excise,

Employment Taxes

KEY TERMS

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3. Income taxes are levied chiefly by federal and state governments on the annual incremental change in the taxpayer's wealth. Specific definitions relative to includible income, and allowable deductions, vary greatly among those governments that impose the tax. Most taxing jurisdictions attempt to ensure the collection of income taxes by requiring certain pay-as-you-go procedures.

4. Employment taxes include unemployment taxes, which finance state and federal unemployment compensation benefits, and retirement taxes, e.g., the federal FICA tax. These taxes are levied upon or collected by employers, and they provide some income security for employees. The FICA tax is paid equally by employer and employee; the FUTA tax is paid by only the employer. Debate relative to these taxes includes the proper definition of "employer" and "employee," and the desirable employment tax bases and rates.

5. Other taxes that are part of the U.S. tax system include federal custom duties and miscellaneous state and local taxes, e.g., franchise taxes, occupational taxes or license fees.

D. The responsibility for administering the federal tax laws rests with the Treasury Department. 1. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is part of the Treasury Department and is

responsible for enforcing the tax law. 2. The IRS utilizes mathematical formulas and statistical sampling techniques to

select tax returns for audit. However, due to budget constraints, the IRS audits only a small minority of returns.

3. A statute of limitations provides both parties to a tax a defense against “stale” claims. Generally, the IRS may assess additional tax liabilities against the taxpayer within three years of the filing of an income tax return. This three year time period is extended to six years for omissions of gross income in excess of 25% of that reported. NO statute of limitations protection is available with respect to fraudulent tax return positions

In a typical survey, taxpayers respond that about fifteen to twenty percent of all tax returns are audited. Actually, the rate is about one percent, although high-income, cash-business, and previously audited taxpayers certainly are subject to a higher rate. This looks like a good application of stratified sampling, but the IRS clearly has a public relations problem!

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III. Motivations Underlying Specific Tax Provisions [Understanding the Federal Tax Law p. 1-23] A. Although the major objective of the federal tax law is to raise revenue, economic,

social, equity, and political considerations play a significant role in the design of specific tax provisions.

B. Economic considerations, including a stimulation or temperance of the national economy, and encouragement or discouragement of specific activities or industries, have led to a large number of recent amendments to the Code. Examples of such economic considerations include: 1. Accelerated depreciation, to encourage expenditures on long-lived productive

assets, such as machinery and equipment. However, subsequent law changes have modified the cost recovery system, on the grounds that these provisions favored capital-intensive, rather than labor-intensive, industries, and to reduce the growing federal budget deficit.

2. Lower individual and corporate income nominal tax rates. Such measures can stimulate the general economy, by increasing disposable income.

3. Special tax treatment of technological development, including favorable treatment allowed research and development expenditures and patents, and tax credits for certain research and energy expenditures.

4. Support for farmers, thrift institutions, and small business owners. Such taxpayers can claim immediate deductions for expenditures for farm feed and fertilizers, exemption from the uniform capitalization rules for certain farmers, and the "flow-through" of the operating losses of certain small business corporations to their shareholders.

C. Social considerations also affect tax legislation. Tax-favored treatment concerning certain employer-provided life and health insurance policies, contributions to retirement plans and charitable organizations, and expenditures for child care services are a response to various social goals. On the other hand, tax laws discourage expenditures contrary to public policy, such as bribes and fines.

D. Equity considerations with respect to the tax law attempt to maintain a sensitivity in the law toward taxpayers in various circumstances. Of course, definitions of equity often produce heated debate among interested parties. Nevertheless, the tax law offers: 1. relief from multiple taxation through reductions in the tax on dividend income

and deductions for state/local taxes paid of federal gross income ; 2. deferral of tax liability is available until the taxpayer has funds available with

which to pay a tax; 3. several provisions, such as the installment sales method, and loss carryovers,

that offer relief from hardships that may be created by the annual accounting period concept; and,

4. relief from the eroding results of inflation is provided through indexation of tax brackets, standard deductions, and exemptions.

E. Political considerations are evident in the tax law, as might be expected with respect to provisions that are forged in a legislative process. The effects of political considerations on the tax law largely are a result of special interest legislation, political expediency situations, and state and local government influences.

For instance, special interest legislation has been created in response to lobbying activities by wealthy taxpayers, while various provisions attempt to ensure that those wealthy taxpayers do pay some "fair" share of tax. Examples of such provisions include the alternative minimum tax, the imputed interest rules, the passive loss rules, and the limitation on deductible investment interest expense.

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F. Tax administrators and the courts also have contributed to the system by imposing or encouraging alterations in specific provisions in the tax law. In its capacity as the protector of the national revenue, the IRS has been instrumental in securing passage of legislation designed to curtail flagrant tax avoidance practices and to ease administration of the tax laws.

In addition to interpreting statutory provisions and the administrative pronouncements issued by the IRS, the federal courts have influenced tax law by formulating certain judicial concepts that serve as guides in the application of various tax provisions and by making decisions that have been of such consequence that changes in the Internal Revenue Code were enacted by Congress specifically to incorporate the decision in the Code, or to provide tax provisions that are contrary to the decision.

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TEST FOR SELF-EVALUATION - CHAPTER 1

True or False Indicate which of the following statements are true or false by circling the correct answer. T F 1. The federal government raises a large portion of its revenue through the

property tax. T F 2. A value added tax resembles a national sales tax. T F 3. Current tax law is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 2005. T F 4. Property taxes are a form of ad valorem tax. T F 5. Transaction taxes are most effective when consumers demonstrate a price-

elastic demand for the commodity. T F 6. If tax rates increase as the tax base grows larger, the tax is regressive. T F 7. A severance tax is a tax on the use, consumption, or storage of tangible

property. T F 8. The primary purpose of some tax laws is to simplify the task of the IRS in

collecting the revenue and administering the law. T F 9. State governments use the sales tax as one of their primary sources of tax

revenues. T F 10. If tax rates decrease as the tax base grows larger, the tax is progressive.

Fill-in-the-Blanks Complete the following statements with the appropriate word(s) or amount(s). 1. The ________ Amendment, ratified in ________, authorized the federal income tax on

individuals. 2. _______ ________ taxes are taxes on capital or wealth. 3. The research and development tax credit is an example of the effect of ________

considerations in the development of the tax law. 4. The "minimum tax" on wealthy taxpayers is an example of the effect of ________

considerations in the development of the tax law.

5. The deduction for charitable contributions is an example of the effect of ________ considerations in the development of the tax law.

6. Adam Smith believed that a "good" tax would include provisions to assure its ________, ________, ________, and ________.

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7. With respect to employment taxes, the ________ tax is paid equally by the employer and employee, while only the employer pays ________ taxes.

8. The _____-_____-_____-_____ feature of the income tax system compels employers to

withhold a specific portion of an employee's wages for taxes. 9. ________ taxes are levied on an activity or event, or the exercise of a specific right in

property or on a privilege granted. 10. ________, ________, and ________ taxes are levied on the transfer of property and

normally are determined by a percentage rate multiplied by the value involved. 11. A(n) ________ tax is a tax on the right to receive property from a decedent. 12. The purpose of the ________ system is to provide funds that the states can use to provide

unemployment benefits. 13. A ________ ________ ________ establishes the maximum time during which the IRS can

assess additional tax and the taxpayer can claim a refund.

Multiple Choice Choose the best answer for each of the following questions. ____ 1. When the tax base is $10,000, the tax liability is $3,000; when the tax base is

$100,000, the tax liability is $20,000. This tax has a rate structure that is: a. Progressive. b. Regressive. c. Proportional. d. Ad Valorem.

____ 2. When the tax base is $10,000, the tax liability is $3,000; when the tax base is

$100,000, the tax liability is $35,000. This tax has a rate structure that is: a. Progressive. b. Regressive.

c. Proportional. d. Ad Valorem.

____ 3. When the tax base is $10,000, the tax liability is $3,000; when the tax base is

$100,000, the tax liability is $30,000. This tax has a rate structure that is: a. Progressive.

b. Regressive. c. Proportional. d. Ad Valorem.

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____ 4. The federal gift and estate taxes are: a. regressive taxes. b. proportional taxes. c. progressive taxes. d. the gift tax is regressive and the estate tax is progressive.

____ 5. The concept that recognizes the inequity of taxing a transaction when the taxpayer

lacks the means with which to pay the tax is: a. double taxation. b. pay-as-you-go.

c. revenue neutrality. d. wherewithal to pay.

____ 6. There are a number of provisions in the Internal Revenue Code that favor small

business. They include: (More than one answer may be correct) a. the corporate minimum tax. b. the environmental tax. c. the tax rates applicable to corporations. d. the dividends-received deduction.

____ 7. Examples of social considerations that have affected tax legislation include:

a. the alternative minimum tax. b. deductions for contributions to retirement plans.

c. the investment tax credit. d. the installment sales method.

____ 8. The concept of equity appears in tax provisions to: a. alleviate the effect of multiple taxation.

b. postpone the recognition of gain when the taxpayer lacks the ability or wherewithal to pay the tax.

c. mitigate the effect of the application of the annual accounting period concept. d. all of the above.

____ 9. The last major reorganization of the Internal Revenue Code was enacted in:

a. 1954. b. 1986.

c. 2003. d. 2005.

____ 10. In addition to interpreting statutory provisions and administrative pronouncements

issued by the IRS, the Federal courts have influenced tax law by: a. formulating certain judicial concepts that serve as guides in the application of

various tax provisions. b. changing Congressional intent as to the application of Federal tax law. c. making key decisions that have led to changes in the Internal Revenue Code. d. Both a and c.

____ 11. The federal income tax rate structure for individuals is becoming:

a. less regressive. b. more regressive. c. less progressive. d. more progressive.

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____ 12. Which of the following states do not impose an income tax on individuals? More than one choice may be correct. a. Alabama. b. Georgia. c. South Carolina. d. Texas. e. All of the above states impose an income tax.

____ 13. Special tax-reduction provisions supporting the owners of small businesses can be

justified on the following grounds. More than one answer may be correct. a. Economic expansion b. Political expediency c. Social justice d. Equity among taxpayers e. All of the above are used to justify tax breaks for small business.

____ 14. Over time, the Internal Revenue Service has worked to

a. Make the federal tax system more complex. b. Make the federal tax system less complex. c. Keep the federal tax system at a constant level of complexity. d. Both a. and b. e. None of the above

SOLUTIONS TO CHAPTER 1 QUESTIONS

True or False 1. F Property taxes are imposed by state and local governments. [Property Taxes p.1-6] 2. T Both are transaction taxes. [General Sales Tax p. 1-10] 3. F Current tax law includes the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. [Revenue Acts p. 1-3] 4. T Such taxes are based on the value of the taxed property. [Property Taxes p. 1-6] 5. F Transaction taxes are effective when consumers demonstrate a price-inelastic

demand for the commodity. [General Sales Taxes, p. 1-10] 6. F The tax is progressive. [Tax Rates, p. 1-5] 7. F The tax described is the use tax. [Use Tax, p. 1-10] 8. T This practice reduces compliance costs. [Criteria Used in the Selection of a Tax

Structure, p. 1-4] 9. T Sales and use taxes are key revenue sources for the states. [General Sales Taxes,

p. 1-10] 10. F The tax is regressive. [Tax Rates, p. 1-5]

Fill-in-the-Blanks 1. 16th, 1913 [Early Periods, p. 1-2] 2. ad valorem [Property Taxes, p. 1-6] 3. economic [Encouragement of Certain Activities, p. 1-25] 4. political [Political Expediency Situations, p. 1-30] 5. social [Social Considerations, p. 1-27]

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6. equality, convenience, certainty, economy [Criteria Used in the Selection of a Tax Structure, p. 1-4]

7. FICA, unemployment [Employment Taxes, p. 1-15] 8. pay-as-you-go [Income Taxes, p. 1-13] 9. Excise [Federal Excise Taxes, p. 1-9] 10. Excise, sales, severance [Transaction Taxes, p. 1-9] 11. Inheritance [Death Taxes, p. 1-10] 12. FUTA [FUTA Taxes, p. 1-16] 13. statute of limitations [Statute of Limitations p. 1-20]

Multiple Choice 1. b On a tax base of $10,000 the effective tax rate was 30% and, as the tax base

increased to $100,000, the effective tax rate decreased to 20%. [Tax Rates p. 1-5] 2. a On a tax base of $10,000 the effective tax rate was 30% and, as the tax base

increased to $100,000, the effective rate increased to 35%. [Tax Rates p. 1-5] 3. c On a tax base of $10,000 the effective tax rate was 30% and, as the tax base

increased to $100,000, the effective tax rate remained 30%. [Tax Rates p. 1-5] 4. c Both taxes’ rates increase as the value of the transferred property increases. [Death

Taxes p. 1-10] 5. d This concept is embodied in the installment method of income recognition. [The

Wherewithal to Pay Concept p. 1-27] 6. a,b,c The graduated tax rates and the $40,000 AMT exemption favor small businesses.

Further, the corporate AMT is not imposed unless a corporation's alternative minimum taxable income exceeds $2,000,000. [Encouragement of Small Business p. 1-25]

7. b These provisions stabilize the need for government support of retirees. [Social Considerations p. 1-26]

8. d Equity reflects fairness among taxpayers and across income levels. [Equity Considerations p. 1-26]

9. b Several amendments to the 1986 Code have been adopted since then. [Revenue Acts p. 1-3]

10. d Courts cannot change congressional intent as to the tax law. [Influence of the Courts p. 1-33]

11. c In 1986 there were 15 rates ranging from 0 to 50%; the current tax structure includes rates of 0, 10, 15, 27, 30, 33, and 35%. [Incidence of Taxation p. 1-6]

12. d Fewer than ten states do not impose a broad income tax. [State Income Taxes p. 1-16]

13. a,b,c Small business generally draws the favor of congress. [Understanding the Federal Tax Law p. 1-23]

14. d The federal income tax law seldom gets less complex. [Understanding the Federal Tax Law p. 1-23]

Study Guide - 2009 Comprehensive Volume


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