-Humphrey and Lauren filed a 2014 joint return. Humphrey earned $31,000 during the year before losing his job. Lauren received Social Security benefits of $5,000. What was the taxable portion of the Social Security benefits? What would have been the taxable portion of the Social Security benefits if Humphrey had earned $46,000 in 2014? Explain
-Ingrid inherited $10,000 of City of Baltimore, Maryland bonds in February. In March she received interest of $500 on the bonds, and in April she sold the bonds for a $200 gain. Ingrid redeemed Series EE U.S. Savings Bonds that she had purchased several years ago. The accumulated interest totaled $800. Ingrid also received $300 of interest on bonds issued by the City of Montreal, Canada. What amount of these receipts, if any, should Ingrid include in her gross income.
-For each of the following, indicate whether the amount is taxable: (a) Katrina won $3000 in the state lottery. (b) Robert won a $500 prize for his entry in a poetry contest. (c) Lizbeth was awarded $2,000 when she was selected “Teacher of the Year” by her local school district.
In each of the following situations, what amount must be included in the taxpayer’s gross income? (a) Laverne received a $1,500 tuition scholarship to attend Fredonia Law School. In addition, Fredonia paid Laverne $4,000 per year to work part-time in the campus cafeteria. (b) Marvin received a $10,000 football scholarship for attending Western University. His scholarship covered tuition, room, board, laundry, and books. $4,000 of the scholarship was designated for room and board and laundry. It was understood that Marvin would participate in the school’s intercollegiate football program, but he was not required to do so. (c) Nightingale Nursing School requires all third-year students to work 20 hours per week at an affiliated local hospital. Each student is paid $10 per hour. Ruth, a third-year student, earned $10,000 for such work during the year.