Question

required:Determine the amount of taxable income that should be reported by a cash-basis taxpayer in 2019 in each of the following independent cases: A taxpayer completes $550 of accounting services in December 2019 for a client who pays for the accounting work in January 2020.A taxpayer is in the business of renting computers on a short-term basis. On December 1, 2019, she rents a computer for a $200 rental fee and receives a $500 deposit. The customer returns the computer and is refunded the deposit on December 20, 2019.Same facts as (b) except that the computer is returned on January 5, 2020.On December 18, 2019, a landlord rents an apartment for $535 per month and collects the first and last months' rent up front. It is customary that tenants apply the security deposit to their last month's rent upon moving out.An accountant agrees to perform $365 of tax services for an auto mechanic who has agreed to perform repairs on the car of the accountant%E2%80%99s wife. The mechanic repairs the car in December 2019 and the accountant starts and completes the tax work in March 2020.

a. A taxpayer completes $550 of accounting services in December 2019 for a client who pays for the accounting work in January 2020.

b. A taxpayer is in the business of renting computers on a short-term basis. On December 1, 2019, she rents a computer for a $200 rental fee and receives a $500 deposit. The customer returns the computer and is refunded the deposit on December 20, 2019.

c. Same facts as (b) except that the computer is returned on January 5, 2020.

d. On December 18, 2019, a landlord rents an apartment for $535 per month and collects the first and last months' rent up front. It is customary that tenants apply the security deposit to their last month's rent upon moving out.

An accountant agrees to perform $365 of tax services for an auto mechanic who has agreed to perform repairs on the car of the accountant’s wife. The mechanic repairs the car in December 2019 and the accountant starts and completes the tax work in March 2020.

Answer 1

Taxpayers who use the cash method must report the income in the year in which it is received [and not accrued].

a. Since the payment is received in 2019, hence income should be reported in 2019

b. Since $200 rental fee is received in 2018, hence income should be reported in 2018

c. Since $200 rental fee is received in 2018, hence income should be reported in 2018, deposit of $500 is not in the nature of income received, hence no impact of returning the deposit in 2019

d.Since security deposit is ultimately applied towards rent of last month and is not required to be refunded back. Hence entire $535 should be recognized as income in 2018.

e. Since the accountant has taken mechanic services worth $365 in 2018, hence income should be reported in 2018.