Question

Julia operates a small business selling baseball cards and memorabilia. As part of that business, Julia frequently sells signed baseballs. In order to get a signature from Mike Trout (a famous baseball player), Julia attends a game in her hometown. Prior to the game, Julia gets Mr. Trout’s autograph and then stays to watch the game. It cost Julia $100 to attend the game. For the year, Julia has the following additional items of income and expenses:

$65,000 gross income from sales of memorabilia

$20,000 of operating expenses and COGS (not including the $100 discussed above)

$6,000 of medical expenses

$4,000 of expenses related to real estate investments she is holding for appreciation

$3,500 of mortgage interest on her residence

Can Julia deduct the $100 cost of attending the baseball game? Why or why not? Please calculate (showing your work) Julia’s adjusted gross income and her taxable income for the year. Assume Julia itemizes her deductions

Answer 1

She attended the game to obtain a signature, which is a business purpose. Expense is deductible.

Net income from self-employment is $65,000 less $20,100, $44,900.

For the year 2017, self-employment tax payable on 92.35% of net income from self-employment at the rate of 15.3%. Self-employment tax = 44,900 * 92.35% * 15.3% = 6,344

Deductible self-employment tax = 6,344 * 50% = $3,172

Business income 44,900 less deductible self employment tax 3,172, is 41,728.

Medical expenses in excess of 7.5% of AGI are deductible. Deductible medical expenses are 870.

Medical, real estate taxes, mortgage interest are itemized deductions. Total itemized deductions are 8,370.

Taxable income is, AGI 41,728 less itemized deduction 8,370 less personal exemption 4,050, 29,308.

Taxable income is 29,308