Amy earns $35,000 working part time. Consequently, she is not eligible to participate in her employer's retirement plan or health insurance program. Amy's expenses are summarized as follows:
a. Contribution to traditional IRA $4,000
b. Membership dues 120
c. Subscription to trade magazine 90
d. Amy drives her Chevy Tahoe 1,135 miles for job-related use. She purchased the car in 2010 for $25,000. Amy uses the automatic mileage method for computing any available deduction for business use of the car.
The Smiths have supported Ron Smith, David's widowed father, for several years, appropriately claiming him as a dependent for tax purposes. On December, 27 2010, Gene suffered a massive stroke. The doctors did everything they could for Ron, but he died in the ICU on January 8, 2011. The Smiths paid the following expenses on behalf of Ron: $11,800 medical ($6,000 incurred in 2010 and $5,800 in 2011) and $5,300 funeral. These expenses were paid in January and February 2011. Ron's will named David as executor and sole heir of the estate.