Question

Brad Pitt, owner of a small car repair and engine service business, operates his business as a C corporation with a December 31 year-end. He has three employees, including himself. The following expenses, along with $565,000 of gross income, are reported in the corporation’s financial statements.

Employee 1 salary                                                                  $ 28,000

Employee 2 salary                                                                     28,000

Brad Pitt’s salary                                                                       45,000

Building rent                                                                              24,000

New Machinery purchased for the year                                 100,000

Depreciation of machinery for the year                                 10,000

Insurance coverage for all assets in the business                       5,000

Insurance coverage on Brad Pitt’s personal residence              3,000

Consulting Fees                                                                          5,000

Utilities                                                                                       2,000

Taxes and Licenses                                                                 12,000                       

Fine paid to City                                                                         4,000

Advertising                                                                                 3,000

Interest Expense                                                                         5,000

Charitable contributions                                                         20,000

Political Contributions                                                           27,000

Dues paid to Small Engine Repair Institute                               1,000

Mileage on car for personal use                                                 2,500

House Cleaning expenses on personal residence                       1,000

Janitorial expense for business                                                   5,000

Brad Pitt would like to know the amount of his deductible expenses for tax purposes. Please explain to Brad Pitt as to why each item listed above is deductible or non-deductible expense for tax purposes.

Answer 1

Answer:-

Expenses	Deductible/                  Non- Deductible	Reason
Employee 1 salary	Deductible	The salaries, wages, commissions, and bonuses you have paid to the employees of your business are tax-deductible expenses
Employee 2 salary	Deductible	The salaries, wages, commissions, and bonuses you have paid to the employees of your business are tax-deductible expenses
Building rent	Deductible	Building rent are treated as business expense so it is allowed as Deduction for Tax purose.
New Machinery purchased for the year	Non-Deductible	Capital Expenditure are not allowed as deduction.
Depreciation of machinery for the year	Deductible	Treated as Business Expense
Insurance coverage for all assets in the business	Deductible	Business Expense
Insurance coverage on Brad Pitt’s personal residence	Non-Deductible	Personal Expense are not allowed as deducition for Tax purpose
Consulting Fees	Deductible	Business Expense
Utilities	Deductible	It seems like Utilities cost is incurred for Business purpose so allowed as deduction.
Taxes and Licenses	Deductible	Treated as Business Expense
Fine paid to City	Deductible	Allowed for tax purpose but Fine paid to Government authority like Income Tax, Fine for GST are not allowed as deduction for Tax purpose.
Advertising	Deductible	Business Expense
Interest Expense	Deductible	Business Expense
Charitable contributions	Deductible subject to certain Limits	Allowed for Tax purpose but maximum of 5 % of Net Profit
Political Contributions	Non-Deductible	Political Contributions are not allowed as deduction for Tax calculation.
Dues paid to Small Engine Repair Institute	Non-Deductible	It is not deductible for tax purpose as it related to earlier period.
Mileage on car for personal use	Non-Deductible	Personal Expense are not allowed as deducition for Tax purpose
House Cleaning expenses on personal residence	Non-Deductible	Personal Expense are not allowed as deducition for Tax purpose
Janitorial expense for business	Deductible	Business Expense
Brad Pitt’s salary	Non-Deductible	A sole proprietor is not entitled to tax deductions on salary paid to himself because these payments are not business expenses