Chapter 7, Problem 1FPC

Michiko and Saul are planning to attend the same university next year. The university estimates tuition, books, fees, and living costs to be 12,000 per year. Michikos father has agreed to give her the 12,000 she needs to attend the university. Saul has obtained a job at the university that will pay him 14,000 per year. After discussing their respective arrangements, Michiko figures that Saul will be better off than she will. What, if anything, is wrong with Michikos thinking?

Carlos opens a dry cleaning store during the year. He invests 30,000 of his own money and borrows 60,000 from a local bank. He uses 40,000 of the loan to buy a building and the remaining 20,000 for equipment. During the first year, the store has a loss of 24,000. How much of the loss can Carlos deduct if the loan from the bank is nonrecourse? How much does Carlos have at risk at the end of the first year?

Hassad owns a rental house on Lake Tahoe. He uses a real estate firm to screen prospective renters, but he makes the final decision on all rentals. He also is responsible for setting the weekly rental price of the house. During the current year, the house rents for 1,500 per week. Hassad pays a commission of 150 and a cleaning fee of 75 for each week the property is rented. During the current year, he incurs the following additional expenses related to the property: a. What is the proper tax treatment if Hassad rents the house for only 1 week (7 days) and uses it 50 days for personal purposes? b. What is the proper tax treatment if Hassad rents the house for 8 weeks (56 days) and uses it 44 days for personal purposes? c. What is the proper tax treatment if Hassad rents the house for 25 weeks (175 days) and uses it 15 days for personal purposes?