Fran, who is in the 35% tax bracket, recently collected $100,000 on a life insurance policy she carried on her father. She currently owes $120,000 on her personal residence and $120,000 on business property. National Bank holds the mortgage on both pieces of property and has agreed to accept $100,000 in complete satisfaction of either mortgage. The interest rate on the mortgages is 8%, and both mortgages are payable over 10 years. What would be the tax consequences of each of the following alternatives assuming that Fran currently deducts the mortgage interest on her tax return?
Indicate whether the following statements are "True" or "False" regarding the tax consequences for Fran of each scenario.
a. If Fran retires the debt on the residence, she must recognize $20000 as income from discharge of indebtedness.
b. Fran qualifies for exclusion for cancellation of debt on a personal residence.
c. Fran must recognize $20000 income due to forgiveness of the business debt.
d. Fran can choose to reduce her basis in the business assets instead of recognizing $20000 income, assuming the liability is qualified business indebtedness,
e. If minimizing current taxes is Fran's main objective, should she retire the mortgage on the residence or retire the mortgage on the business property?