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Ebook South Western Federal Taxation 2018 Individual Income Taxes PDF Full Chapter PDF
Ebook South Western Federal Taxation 2018 Individual Income Taxes PDF Full Chapter PDF
Contributing Authors
Copyright 2018 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. WCN 02-200-202
ª 2018, 2017 Cengage Learning
South-Western Federal Taxation: Individual
Income Taxes, 2018 Edition Unless otherwise noted, all content is ª Cengage
William H. Hoffman, Jr., James C. Young, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this work covered by the copyright herein
William A. Raabe, David M. Maloney, may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means, except as
Annette Nellen permitted by U.S. copyright law, without the prior written permission of the
copyright owner.
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Preface
iii
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Learning Tools and Features to Help Students Make the Connection
FULL- COLOR DESIGN: We understand that students struggle with learning difficult tax code
concepts and applying them to real-world scenarios. The 2018 edition uses color to bring the text to life, capture student
attention, and present the tax code in a simple, yet logical format.
iv
Copyright 2018 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. WCN 02-200-202
COMPUTATIONAL EXERCISES: Students need lots of practice in areas such as computing
tax return problems and adjusting rates. We have developed these exercises to give students practice in calculating the
solutions they need to make business decisions.
ROGER CPA EXAM REVIEW QUESTIONS: The SWFT series continues to provide
the most in-depth coverage of tax concepts, and selected Roger CPA Exam Review Questions are included to further
prepare students for success on the CPA Exam.
■ Tagged by concept in
CengageNOWv2
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See how the SWFT series helps students understand the big picture and
the relevancy behind what they are learning.
FRAMEWORK 1040:
Fitting it all Together.
This chapter-opening feature
demonstrates how topics within
Individual Income Taxes fit
together, using the Income Tax Use this chapter-opening
Framework 1040, which
Formula for Individuals as the shows the topics as they
framework. The framework appear in the individual
tax formula, to
helps students organize their understand where on
Form 1040 these chapter
understanding of the chapters topics would appear.
and topics to see how they relate
to the basic tax formula and
then identify where these items
are reported on Form 1040.
Framework 1040 helps students
navigate topics by explaining
how tax concepts are organized.
vi
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FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE INSIGHTS:
Tax professionals need to understand how
taxes affect the income statement and balance
sheet. Financial Disclosure Insights,
appearing throughout the text, use current data
about existing taxpayers to highlight book-tax
reporting differences, effective tax rates, and
trends in reporting conventions.
vii
Copyright 2018 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. WCN 02-200-202
Take your students from Motivation to Mastery with CengageNOWv2
Motivation —
Many instructors find that students
come to class unmotivated and
unprepared. To help with engagement
and preparedness, CengageNOWv2
for SWFT offers:
■ “Tax Drills” test students on key
concepts and applications. With
three to five questions per learning
objective, these “quick-hit” questions
help students prepare for class
lectures or review prior to an exam.
Application —
Students need to learn problem-solving
behavior and skills, to guide them to
complete taxation problems on their own.
However, as students try to work through
homework problems, sometimes they
become stuck and need extra help. To rein-
force concepts and keep students on the
right track, CengageNOWv2 for SWFT offers
the following.
■ End-of-chapter homework from the
text is expanded and enhanced to follow
the workflow a professional would use
to solve various client scenarios. These
enhancements better engage students
and encourage them to think like a tax
professional.
viii
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■ Algorithmic versions of end-of-chapter homework are available for computational exercises and at least
15 problems per chapter.
■ “Check My Work” Feedback. Homework questions include immediate feedback so students can learn as they
go. Levels of feedback include an option for “check my work” prior to submission of an assignment.
■ Post-Submission Feedback. After submitting an assignment, students receive even more extensive feedback
explaining why their answers were incorrect. Instructors can decide how much feedback their students receive
and when, including the full solution.
Mastery —
■ NEW! Tax Form Problems have been
added to the 2018 edition. Students can
now complete the Cumulative H&R Block
Problems and other homework items found
in the end-of-chapter manually or in a
digital environment.
ix
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x PREFACE
• An appendix that helps instructors broaden and • Reorganized materials on filing status and related
customize coverage of important tax provisions filing requirements.
of the Affordable Care Act. (Instructor Companion • Added a Form 1040 to the chapter for easy
Website at www.cengage.com/login) reference.
• The Depreciation and the Accelerated Cost
Recovery System (ACRS) appendix. (Instructor Chapter 4
Companion Website at www.cengage.com/
login) • Added the new taxable prize exception for
• The Taxation in the Real World weekly blog posts Olympic and Paralympic medals and prizes.
for instructors. (https://community.cengage.
com/t5/Taxation-in-the-Real-World-Blog/bg-p/ Chapter 5
taxationintherealworldblog)
• Updated chapter materials to reflect inflation
Chapter 1 adjustments.
• “Approaching the Study of Taxation” is now the • Added § 139F on damages received for wrongful
first section of the chapter and includes topics incarceration, enacted in 2015.
on defining “taxation,” exploring the many ways
taxes affect our lives, explaining the relevance of
taxation to accounting and finance professionals,
and offering tips for studying taxation.
Copyright 2018 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. WCN 02-200-202
PREFACE xi
Chapter 6 Chapter 10
• Streamlined coverage throughout the chapter; • Enhanced the presentation of the chapter
added multiple examples to illustrate text material. coverage in the Framework 1040: Tax Formula
for Individuals.
• Added a discussion of executive compensation
to Tax Planning section. • Clarified the language concerning the medical
deduction AGI floor that applies to taxpayers
• Added a new tax form problem on hobby
65 years of age and older.
losses (the completion of Form 1040 and
Schedule A). • Added a new tax form problem [the completion
of a Schedule A (Form 1040)].
• Updated comprehensive tax return problems for
inflation adjustments. • Streamlined coverage throughout the chapter;
refined the discussion of Health Savings
Chapter 7 Accounts.
• Rewrote a Global Tax Issues feature with a
• Revised and clarified discussion of “other
focus on the recent earthquake in central Italy.
casualties” and disaster area losses; added and
modified several examples to clarify the rules. • Updated chapter materials for inflation
adjustments.
• Reduced coverage of unique rules related to NOL
carrybacks for casualty losses and farming losses.
Chapter 11
• Revised end-of-chapter materials for annual
inflation adjustments. • Streamlined coverage throughout the chapter.
• Adjusted the relevant interest rates and pro-
Chapter 8 jected rates of return in the Big Picture and
the associated examples to reflect the current
• Streamlined coverage throughout the chapter;
environment.
revised the Big Picture examples.
• Clarified the discussion relating to investment
• Expanded discussion of § 179 (including several
expenses under the investment interest discussion.
new examples), revised order of § 179 expense
and additional first-year (bonus) depreciation • Added a new tax form problem (the completion
(covering § 179 before bonus depreciation), of a Form 4952).
and added new materials on using § 179 and
bonus depreciation effectively (including a new Chapter 12
Concept Summary).
• Revised discussion of the medical expense
• Updated materials to reflect inflation adjustment
deduction for AMT purposes.
to § 179 amounts.
• Added example on the AMT consequences of a
• Added a new tax form problem (the completion
state tax refund.
of a Form 4562).
• Added discussion regarding the utilization of the
Chapter 9 minimum tax credit.
• Improved the discussion of AMT net operating
• Revised the Big Picture examples to highlight the
loss provisions.
“gig economy.”
• Streamlined coverage throughout the chapter; Chapter 13
added multiple examples illustrating text materials.
• Updated chapter materials for inflation
• Updated standard mileage amounts, related
adjustments.
examples, and end-of-chapter materials.
• Streamlined and clarified coverage throughout
• Added a new tax form problem (the completion
the chapter.
of a Form 3903).
• Updated Affordable Care Act materials.
• Added new research problems on Form 1099–K
related to the “gig economy.”
Copyright 2018 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. WCN 02-200-202
xii PREFACE
Chapter 14 Chapter 17
• Revised and clarified chapter materials; added • Updated the chapter tax return example, linking
multiple examples to illustrate concepts. the example computations to placement on the
various tax forms [Form 4797 and Schedule D
• Added a new Concept Summary on realized
(Form 1040)].
gains and losses and expanded discussion on
this topic. • Added a new tax form problem (the completion
of a Form 4797).
• Added a new tax form problem [the
completion of a Form 8949 and a Schedule D • Added present value and spreadsheet compo-
(Form 1040)]. nents to end-of-chapter materials.
• Streamlined and clarified coverage throughout
Chapter 15 the chapter.
• Revised and clarified chapter materials; added
multiple examples to illustrate concepts. Chapter 18
• Restructured § 121 materials to focus on general • Updated Research Problem on contingent lia-
rules first, followed by a discussion of the relief bilities for the Third Circuit decision and IRS
provision available if the two-year rules are not non-acquiescence in Giant Eagle.
met.
• Removed summary material on other nonrec- Chapter 19
ognition provisions (§§ 1032, 1035, 1036, 1038,
• Amounts updated for inflation.
1041, and 1044).
• Added a new tax form problem (the completion Chapter 20
of a Form 8824 for a like-kind exchange).
• Added new Learning Objective 1, Entity Choice.
Chapter 16 • Added new text on entity choice and check-the-
box.
• Updated the chapter tax return example
[including the Form 8949, Schedule D • Added new Exhibit 20.1 (Cash Method for
(Form 1040), and the capital gains worksheet]. Inventory Exceptions Flowchart).
• Streamlined and clarified coverage throughout • Introduced corporate tax table with lower
the chapter. bracket taxes included.
• Added a new tax form problem (the completion • Revised constructive dividend section.
of a Form 8949).
• Added new materials on distributions from S cor-
• Added present value and spreadsheet porations.
components to end-of-chapter materials.
• Added new materials on LLCs and qualified joint
ventures in the partnership section.
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PREFACE xiii
Online and Digital Resources • Worry-free Audit Support™ and tax advice from
an H&R Block® tax professional.
for Students
Online access to H&R Block® Premium & Business
software is offered with each NEW copy of the text-
book—at no additional cost to students.*
CengageNOWv2 is a powerful course management and
online homework tool that provides robust instructor Students can use
control and customization to optimize the student CengageBrain.com
learning experience and meet desired outcomes. to select this textbook and access Cengage Learning
content, empowering them to choose the most suitable
CengageNOWv2 Instant Access Code ISBN: format and giving them a better chance of success in
978-1-337-38950-1 the course. Buy printed materials, eBooks, and digital
Contact your Cengage Learning Consultant about resources directly through Cengage Learning and save
different bundle options. at CengageBrain.com.
*NEW Printed copies of the textbook are automatically packaged with access to Checkpoint® Student Edition and H&R Block® tax soft-
ware. If students purchase the eBook, they will not automatically receive access to Checkpoint® Student Edition and H&R Block® soft-
ware. They must purchase the tax media pack offering both of these products. The ISBN is 978-1-337-55335-3 and can be purchased at
www.cengagebrain.com.
Copyright 2018 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. WCN 02-200-202
xiv PREFACE
Comprehensive Supplements Support Each test item is tagged with its Estimated Time to
Complete, Level of Difficulty, and Learning Objective(s),
Instructors’ Needs as well as the AACSB’s and AICPA’s core c ompetencies—
for easier instructor planning and test item selection.
The 2018 Test Bank is available in Cengage’s test gen-
erator software, Cognero.
CengageNOWv2 is a powerful course management and Cengage Learning Testing Powered by Cognero is a
online homework tool that provides robust instructor flexible, online system that allows you to:
control and customization to optimize the student learn- • author, edit, and manage Test Bank content from
ing experience and meet desired outcomes. In addition to multiple Cengage Learning solutions
the features and benefits mentioned earlier for students, • create multiple test versions in an instant
CengageNOWv2 includes these features for instructors: • deliver tests from your LMS, your classroom, or
• Learning Outcomes Reporting and the ability wherever you want
to analyze student work from the gradebook. • create tests from school, home, the coffee
Each exercise and problem is tagged by topic, shop—anywhere with internet access
learning objective, level of difficulty, estimated (No special installs or downloads needed.)
completion time, and business program stan-
Test Bank files in Word format as well as versions to
dards to allow greater guidance in developing
import into your LMS are available on the Instructor
assessments and evaluating student progress.
Companion Website. Cognero Test Banks available
• Built-in Test Bank for online assess- via single sign-on (SSO) account at www.cengage.
ment. The Test Bank files are included in com/login.
CengageNOWv2 so that they may be used as
additional homework or tests. Other Instructor Resources
All of the following instructor course materials
Solutions Manual (978-1-337-38944-0)
are available online at www.cengage.com/login.
Written by the South-Western Federal Taxation Once logged into the site, instructors should select this
editors and authors, the Solutions Manual features textbook to access the online Instructor Resources.
solutions arranged in accordance with the sequence of
• Instructor Guide
chapter material.
Solutions to all homework items are tagged with their • Edition-to-edition correlation grids by chapter
Estimated Time to Complete, Level of Difficulty, and • Detailed answer feedback for the end-of-chapter
Learning Objective(s), as well as the AACSB’s and AICPA’s Roger CPA Review Questions in Word format
core competencies—-giving instructors more control than (Lettered answers only are available in the
ever in selecting homework to match the topics covered. Solutions Manual.)
The Solutions Manual also contains the Solutions to • An appendix that helps instructors broaden and
Appendix E: Comprehensive Tax Return Problems and customize coverage of important tax provisions
lettered answers (only) to the end-of-chapter Roger CPA of the Affordable Care Act
Review Questions. Available in print and on Instructor • The Depreciation and the Accelerated Cost
Companion Website at www.cengage.com/login. Recovery System (ACRS) appendix
PowerPoint® Lectures with Notes Custom Solutions
The Instructor PowerPoint® Lectures contain more than Cengage Learning Custom Solutions develops person-
30 slides per chapter, including outlines and instructor alized solutions to meet your taxation education needs.
guides, concept definitions, and key points. Available on Consider the following for your adoption of South-
Instructor Companion Website at www.cengage. Western Federal Taxation 2018 Edition.
com/login.
• Remove chapters you do not cover or rearrange
Test Bank their order to create a streamlined and efficient text.
Written by the South-Western Federal Taxation • Add your own material to cover new topics or
editors and authors, the Test Bank contains approximately information.
2,200 items and solutions arranged in accordance with • Add relevance by including sections from
the sequence of chapter material. Sawyers/Gill’s Federal Tax Research or your
state’s tax laws and regulations.
Copyright 2018 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. WCN 02-200-202
PREFACE xv
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
We want to thank all the adopters and others who participated in numerous online surveys as well as the follow-
ing individuals who provided content reviews and feedback in the development of the South-Western Federal
Taxation 2018 titles.
William H. Hoffman, Jr. / James C. Young / William A. Raabe / David M. Maloney / Annette Nellen
Lindsay G. Acker, University of Wisconsin- Dwight E. Denman, Newman University Carol Hughes, Asheville-Buncombe
Madison James M. DeSimpelare, Ross School of Technical Community College
Deborah S. Adkins, Nperspective, LLC Business at the University of Michigan Helen Hurwitz, Saint Louis University
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Jennifer A. Bagwell, Ohio University at Urbana Champaign Falls
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Terry W. Bechtel, Texas A&M University – University Carl Keller, Missouri State University
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John G. Bell Wayne L. Edmunds, Virginia Gordon Klein, Lecturer, UCLA Anderson
Tamara Berges, UCLA Commonwealth University School
Ellen Best, University of North Georgia Rafi Efrat, California State University, Taylor Klett, Sam Houston State University
Tim Biggart, Berry College Northridge Aaron P. Knape, Peru State College
Rachel Birkey, Illinois State University Charles R. Enis, The Pennsylvania State Cedric Knott, Colorado State University –
Patrick M. Borja, Citrus College / California University Global Campus
State University, Los Angeles Frank J. Faber, St. Joseph’s College Ausher M. B. Kofsky, Western New
Dianne H. Boseman, Nash Community A. Anthony Falgiani, University of South England University
College Carolina, Beaufort Emil Koren, Saint Leo University
Cathalene Bowler, University of Northern Jason Fiske, Thomas Jefferson School of Law Jack Lachman, Brooklyn College – CUNY
Iowa John Forsythe, Eagle Gate College Richard S. Leaman, University of Denver
Madeline Brogan, Lone Star College – Alexander L. Frazin, University of Adena LeJeune, Louisiana College
Montgomery Redlands Gene Levitt, Mayville State University
Darryl L. Brown, Illinois Wesleyan University Carl J. Gabrini, College of Coastal Georgia Teresa Lightner, University of North Texas
Timothy G. Bryan, University of Southern Kenneth W. Gaines, East-West University, Sara Linton, Roosevelt University
Indiana Chicago, Illinois Roger Lirely, The University of Texas at
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College Sheri Geddes, Hope College Jane Livingstone, Western Carolina
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Nebraska Daniel J. Gibbons, Waubonsee Community Heather Lynch, Northeast Iowa Community
Lisa Busto, William Rainey Harper College College College
Julia M. Camp, Providence College Martie Gillen, University of Florida Michael J. MacDonald, University of
Al Case, Southern Oregon University Charles Gnizak, Fort Hays State University Wisconsin-Whitewater
Machiavelli W. Chao, Merage School of J. David Golub, Northeastern University Mabel Machin, Florida Institute of
Business University of California, George G. Goodrich, John Carroll Technology
Irvine University Maria Alaina Mackin, ECPI University
Eric Chen, University of Saint Joseph Marina Grau, Houston Community Anne M. Magro, George Mason University
Christine Cheng, Louisiana State University College – Houston, TX Richard B. Malamud, California State
James Milton Christianson, Southwestern Vicki Greshik, University of Jamestown University, Dominguez Hills
University and Austin Community College Harold J. Manasa, Winthrop University
College Jeffrey S. Haig, Santa Monica College Barry R. Marks, University of Houston –
Wayne Clark, Southwest Baptist University Marcye S. Hampton, University of Central Clear Lake
Ann Burstein Cohen, University at Buffalo, Florida Dewey Martin, Husson University
The State University of New York June Hanson, Upper Iowa University Anthony Masino, East Tennessee State
Ciril Cohen, Fairleigh Dickinson University Donald Henschel, Benedictine University University
Dixon H. Cooper, University of Arkansas Susanne Holloway, Salisbury University Norman Massel, Louisiana State University
Rick L. Crosser, Metropolitan State Susan A. Honig, Herbert H. Lehman College Bruce W. McClain, Cleveland State
University of Denver Jeffrey L. Hoopes, The Ohio State University University
John P. Crowley, Castleton University Christopher R. Hoyt, University of Missouri Allison M. McLeod, University of North
Richard G. Cummings, University of (Kansas City) School of Law Texas
Wisconsin-Whitewater Marsha M. Huber, Youngstown State Meredith A. Menden, Southern New
Susan E. M. Davis, South University University Hampshire University
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xvi PREFACE
Robert H. Meyers, University of John S. Repsis, University of Texas at Martin Stub, DeVry University
Wisconsin-Whitewater Arlington James Sundberg, Eastern Michigan
John G. Miller, Skyline College John D. Rice, Trinity University University
Tracie L. Miller-Nobles, Austin Jennifer Hardwick Robinson, Trident Kent Swift, University of Montana
Community College Technical College Robert L. Taylor, Lees-McRae College
Jonathan G. Mitchell, Stark State College Shani N. Robinson, Sam Houston State Francis C. Thomas, Richard Stockton
Richard Mole, Hiram College University College of New Jersey
Lisa Nash, CPA, MA, Vincennes University Donald Roth, Dordt College Randall R. Thomas, Upper Iowa University
Mary E. Netzler, Eastern Florida State Richard L. Russell, Jackson State University Ronald R. Tidd, Central Washington
College Robert L. Salyer, Northern Kentucky University
Joseph Malino Nicassio, Westmoreland University MaryBeth Tobin, Bridgewater State
County Community College Rhoda Sautner, University of Mary University
Mark R. Nixon, Bentley University Bunney L. Schmidt, Keiser University James P. Trebby, Marquette University
Garth Novack, Pantheon Heavy Industries Eric D. Schwartz, LaRoche College James M. Turner, Georgia Institute of
& Foundry Tony L. Scott, Norwalk Community College Technology
Claude R. Oakley, DeVry University, Randy Serrett, University of Houston – Anthony W. Varnon, Southeast Missouri
Georgia Downtown State University
Al Oddo, Niagara University Wayne Shaw, Southern Methodist University Adria Palacios Vasquez, Texas A&M
Sandra Owen, Indiana University – Paul A. Shoemaker, University of Nebraska – University – Kingsville
Bloomington Lincoln Terri Walsh, Seminole State College of
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Carolyn Payne, University of La Verne Georgi Smatrakalev, Florida Atlantic Marie Wang
Ronald Pearson, Bay College University Natasha R. Ware, Southeastern University
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Lincoln M. Pinto, DeVry University Irvine Andrew L. Whitehair
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Steve Platau, The University of Tampa Beth Stetson, Oklahoma City University Candace Witherspoon, Valdosta State
Walfyette Powell, Strayer University Debra Stone, Eastern New Mexico University University
Dennis Price, Samford University Frances A. Stott, Bowling Green State Sheila Woods, DeVry University, Houston, TX
Darlene Pulliam, West Texas A&M University Xinmei Xie, Woodbury University
University Todd S. Stowe, Southwest Florida College Thomas Young, Lone Star College –
Tomball
SPECIAL THANKS
We are grateful to the faculty members who have diligently worked through the problems and test questions to
ensure the accuracy of the South-Western Federal Taxation homework, solutions manuals, test banks, and com-
prehensive tax form problems. Their comments and corrections helped us focus on clarity as well as accuracy and
tax law currency. We also thank Thomson Reuters for its permission to use Checkpoint® with the text.
Sandra A. Augustine, Hilbert College Ray Rodriguez, Murray State Raymond Wacker, Southern Illinois
Bradrick M. Cripe, Northern Illinois University University, Carbondale
University George R. Starbuck, McMurry University Michael Weissenfluh, Tillamook Bay
Stephanie Lewis, The Ohio State University Donald R. Trippeer, State University of Community College;
Kate Mantzke, Northern Illinois University New York College at Oneonta
Copyright 2018 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. WCN 02-200-202
The South-Western Federal Taxation Series
(ISBN 978-1-337-38588-6)
(ISBN 978-1-337-38594-7)
xvii
Copyright 2018 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. WCN 02-200-202
xviii PREFACE
(ISBN 978-1-337-38600-5)
(ISBN 978-1-337-38617-3)
(ISBN 978-1-337-28298-7)
Copyright 2018 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. WCN 02-200-202
PREFACE xix
William H. Hoffman, Jr. the National Tax Journal, The Journal of the American
earned B.A. and J.D. Taxation Association, and Tax Notes. Jim is a Northern
degrees from the University Illinois University Distinguished Professor, received the
of Michigan and M.B.A. Illinois CPA Society Outstanding Accounting Educator
and Ph.D. degrees from Award in 2012, and has received university teaching
The University of Texas. awards from Northern Illinois University, George Mason
He was a licensed CPA University, and Michigan State University.
and attorney in Texas.
His teaching experience William A. Raabe, Ph.D.,
included The University CPA, was the Wisconsin
of Texas (1957–1961), Distinguished Professor
Louisiana State University (1961–1967), and the of Taxation. He taught at
University of Houston (1967–1999). Professor Hoffman Ohio State, Arizona State,
addressed many tax institutes and conferences and pub- the Capital University
lished extensively in academic and professional jour- (OH) Law School, and
nals. His articles appeared in The Journal of Taxation, the Universities of
The Tax Adviser, Taxes—The Tax Magazine, The Journal Wisconsin – Milwaukee
of Accountancy, The Accounting Review, and Taxation and Whitewater. A grad-
for Accountants. uate of Carroll University
(Wisconsin) and the University of Illinois, Dr. Raabe’s
James C. Young is the teaching and research interests include international
Crowe Horwath Professor and multistate taxation, technology in tax education,
of Accountancy at personal financial planning, and the economic impact of
Northern Illinois University. sports teams and fine arts groups. Dr. Raabe also writes
A graduate of Ferris State the PricewaterhouseCoopers Tax Case Studies. He has
University (B.S.) and written extensively about book-tax differences in finan-
Michigan State University cial reporting. Dr. Raabe has been a visiting tax faculty
(M.B.A. and Ph.D.), Jim’s member for a number of public accounting firms, bar
research focuses on taxpay- associations, and CPA societies. He has received numer-
er responses to the income ous teaching awards, including the Accounting Educator
tax using archival data. His of the Year award from the Wisconsin Institute of CPAs.
dissertation received the He has been the faculty adviser for student teams in the
PricewaterhouseCoopers/American Taxation Association Deloitte Tax Case Competition (national finalists at three
Dissertation Award and his subsequent research has different schools) and the PricewaterhouseCoopers
received funding from a number of organizations, Extreme Tax policy competition (national finalist). For
including the Ernst & Young Foundation Tax Research more information about Dr. Raabe, visit BillRaabeTax.
Grant Program. His work has been published in a vari- com and BillRaabeTax on YouTube and Twitter.
ety of academic and professional journals, including
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xx PREFACE
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PREFACE xxi
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Brief Contents
PART 3: DEDUCTIONS
XXIII
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XXIV BRIEF CONTENTS
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Contents
XXV
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XXVI CONTENTS
WORKING WITH THE TAX LAW—TAX PLANNING 2-28 GAINS AND LOSSES FROM PROPERTY
Nontax Considerations 2-29 TRANSACTIONS— IN GENERAL 3-34
Components of Tax Planning 2-30
Tax Avoidance and Tax Evasion 2-31 GAINS AND LOSSES FROM PROPERTY
TRANSACTIONS—CAPITAL GAINS AND LOSSES 3-35
Follow-Up Procedures 2-31
Definition of a Capital Asset 3-35
Tax Planning—A Practical Application 2-31
Determination of Net Capital Gain 3-35
TAXATION ON THE CPA EXAMINATION 2-32 Treatment of Net Capital Loss 3-36
Preparation Blueprints 2-32 Taxation of Net Capital Gain 3-36
Regulation Section 2-33
TAX PLANNING 3-37
Maximizing the Use of the Standard Deduction 3-37
CHAPTER 3
Dependency Exemptions 3-37
TAX FORMULA AND TAX
Taking Advantage of Tax Rate Differentials 3-38
DETERMINATION; AN OVERVIEW
Income of Certain Children 3-39
OF PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS 3-1 Refocus on the Big Picture: A Divided Household 3-39
The Big Picture: A Divided Household 3-1
TAX RETURN FILING PROCEDURES 3-32 ITEMS SPECIFICALLY INCLUDED IN GROSS INCOME 4-18
Selecting the Proper Form 3-32 Alimony and Separate Maintenance Payments 4-19
The E-File Approach 3-33 Concept Summary: Tax Treatment of Payments and Transfers
When and Where to File 3-33 Pursuant to Divorce Agreements and Decrees 4-20
Modes of Payment 3-34 Imputed Interest on Below-Market Loans 4-20
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CONTENTS XXVII
Concept Summary: Effect of Certain Below-Market Loans on EMPLOYEE FRINGE BENEFITS 5-15
the Lender and Borrower 4-22 Specific Benefits 5-15
Concept Summary: Exceptions to the Imputed Interest Rules Cafeteria Plans 5-16
for Below-Market Loans 4-23
Flexible Spending Plans 5-16
Ethics & Equity: Taxing ‘‘Made-Up’’ Income 4-23
General Classes of Excluded Benefits 5-17
Income from Annuities 4-23
Prizes and Awards 4-26
FOREIGN EARNED INCOME 5-20
Group Term Life Insurance 4-27
Concept Summary: Employee Fringe Benefits 5-21
Unemployment Compensation 4-28
Global Tax Issues: Benefits of the Earned Income Exclusion Are
Social Security Benefits 4-28 Questioned 5-22
GIFTS AND INHERITANCES 5-3 QUALIFIED ABLE PROGRAMS (§ 529A PLANS) 5-26
Legislative Intent 5-3
Employer Payments to Employees 5-3 TAX BENEFIT RULE 5-26
Employee Death Benefits 5-4
INCOME FROM DISCHARGE OF INDEBTEDNESS 5-27
LIFE INSURANCE PROCEEDS 5-4
General Rule 5-4 TAX PLANNING 5-28
Accelerated Death Benefits 5-5 Life Insurance 5-28
Ethics & Equity: Should the Terminally Ill Pay Social Security Taxes? 5-6 Employee Fringe Benefits 5-28
Transfer for Valuable Consideration 5-6 Investment Income 5-29
Refocus on the Big Picture: Exclusions 5-30
SCHOLARSHIPS 5-7
General Information 5-7
Timing Issues 5-8
Part 3: Deductions
COMPENSATION FOR INJURIES AND SICKNESS 5-8
Damages 5-8 CHAPTER 6
Ethics & Equity: Tax Treatment of Damages Not Related to DEDUCTIONS AND LOSSES: IN GENERAL 6-1
Physical Personal Injury 5-9 The Big Picture: Calculation of Deductible Expenses 6-1
Concept Summary: Taxation of Damages 5-9
Ethics & Equity: Classifying the Amount of the Claim 5-10 CLASSIFICATION OF DEDUCTIBLE EXPENSES 6-2
Wrongful Incarceration 5-10 Classifying Deductions 6-3
Workers’ Compensation 5-10 Authority for Deductions 6-3
Accident and Health Insurance Benefits 5-10 Deduction Criteria for § 162 and § 212 6-5
Personal Expenses 6-6
EMPLOYER-SPONSORED ACCIDENT AND Business and Nonbusiness Losses 6-6
HEALTH PLANS 5-11 Reporting Procedures 6-7
Medical Reimbursement Plans 5-11
Long-Term Care Insurance Benefits 5-12 DEDUCTIONS AND LOSSES—TIMING OF EXPENSE
RECOGNITION 6-8
MEALS AND LODGING 5-13 Importance of Taxpayer’s Method of Accounting 6-8
General Rules for the Exclusion 5-13 Cash Method Requirements 6-8
Ethics & Equity: Employee Meals 5-14 Accrual Method Requirements 6-9
Other Housing Exclusions 5-14 Time Value of Tax Deductions 6-10
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XXVIII CONTENTS
DISALLOWANCE POSSIBILITIES 6-11 Statutory Framework for Deducting Losses of Individuals 7-13
Public Policy Limitation 6-11 Concept Summary: Statutory Framework for Deducting Losses of
Global Tax Issues: Overseas Gun Sales Result in Large Fines 6-12 Individuals 7-13
Ethics & Equity: Medical Marijuana: Trade or Business Activity
or Illegal Operation? 6-13 RESEARCH AND EXPERIMENTAL EXPENDITURES 7-13
Political Contributions and Lobbying Activities 6-13 Expense Method 7-14
Excessive Executive Compensation 6-14 Deferral and Amortization Method 7-14
Investigation of a Business 6-15
Concept Summary: Costs of Investigating a Business 6-16 DOMESTIC PRODUCTION ACTIVITIES DEDUCTION 7-15
Hobby Losses 6-16 Operational Rules 7-15
Concept Summary: Common Questions from the IRS Concerning Eligible Taxpayers 7-16
Hobbies/Business with Losses 6-18
Rental of Vacation Homes 6-19 NET OPERATING LOSSES 7-17
Concept Summary: Vacation/Rental Home 6-20 Carryback and Carryover Periods 7-17
Expenditures Incurred for Taxpayer’s Benefit or Taxpayer’s Computation of the Net Operating Loss 7-18
Obligation 6-23 Concept Summary: Computation of Net Operating Loss 7-19
Disallowance of Personal Expenditures 6-23 Recomputation of Tax Liability for Year to Which Net Operating
Ethics & Equity: Personal or Business Expenses? 6-24 Loss Is Carried 7-21
Disallowance of Deductions for Capital Expenditures 6-24 Calculation of the Remaining Net Operating Loss 7-22
Transactions between Related Parties 6-26
Substantiation Requirements 6-27
TAX PLANNING 7-22
Small Business Stock (§ 1244 Stock) Losses 7-22
Expenses and Interest Relating to Tax-Exempt Income 6-27
Casualty Losses 7-23
TAX PLANNING 6-28 Net Operating Losses 7-23
Vacation Homes 6-28 Refocus on the Big Picture: Losses 7-23
Hobby Losses 6-28
Concept Summary: Classification of Expenses 6-29 CHAPTER 8
Do Deduction Limits Affect Executive Compensation? 6-30 DEPRECIATION, COST RECOVERY,
Refocus on the Big Picture: Calculation of Deductible AMORTIZATION, AND DEPLETION 8-1
Business Expenses and Tax Planning 6-31 The Big Picture: Calculating Cost Recovery Deductions 8-1
Concept Summary: Depreciation and Cost Recovery: Relevant
CHAPTER 7 Time Periods 8-3
DEDUCTIONS AND LOSSES: CERTAIN
BUSINESS EXPENSES AND LOSSES 7-1 DEPRECIATION AND COST RECOVERY 8-3
The Big Picture: Losses 7-1 Nature of Property 8-3
Placed in Service Requirement 8-3
BAD DEBTS 7-2 Cost Recovery Allowed or Allowable 8-3
Specific Charge-Off Method 7-3 Cost Recovery Basis for Personal Use Assets Converted to
Concept Summary: The Tax Treatment of Bad Debts Using Business or Income-Producing Use 8-4
the Specific Charge-Off Method 7-4
Business versus Nonbusiness Bad Debts 7-4 MODIFIED ACCELERATED COST RECOVERY SYSTEM
Loans between Related Parties 7-5 (MACRS): GENERAL RULES 8-4
Concept Summary: Bad Debt Deductions 7-5 Concept Summary: MACRS: Class Lives, Methods, and Conventions 8-5
Personalty: Recovery Periods and Methods 8-5
WORTHLESS SECURITIES AND SMALL BUSINESS Financial Disclosure Insights: Tax and Book Depreciation 8-6
STOCK LOSSES 7-6 Concept Summary: Statutory Percentage Method under MACRS 8-6
Worthless Securities 7-6 Realty: Recovery Periods and Methods 8-8
Small Business Stock (§ 1244 Stock) Losses 7-6 Straight-Line Election 8-9
Concept Summary: Straight-Line Election under MACRS 8-9
LOSSES OF INDIVIDUALS 7-7
Events That Are Not Casualties 7-7 MODIFIED ACCELERATED COST RECOVERY
Theft Losses 7-7 SYSTEM (MACRS): SPECIAL RULES 8-10
When to Deduct Casualty Losses 7-8 Election to Expense Assets (§ 179) 8-10
Measuring the Amount of Loss 7-9 Ethics & Equity: Section 179 Limitation 8-14
Ethics & Equity: Is Policy Cancellation an Escape Hatch? 7-9 Additional First-Year Depreciation (Bonus Depreciation) 8-14
Personal Casualty Gains and Losses 7-11 Using § 179 and Bonus Depreciation Effectively 8-15
Concept Summary: Casualty Gains and Losses 7-12 Concept Summary: Using both § 179 and Bonus Depreciation 8-16
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CONTENTS XXIX
Business and Personal Use of Automobiles and Other ENTERTAINMENT AND MEAL EXPENSES 9-22
Listed Property 8-17 Overall Limit (The 50 Percent Rule) 9-22
Concept Summary: Listed Property Cost Recovery 8-21 Types of Entertainment Expenses 9-23
Alternative Depreciation System (ADS) 8-22 Restrictions on Deductibility 9-24
Ethics & Equity: Your Turn or Mine? 9-24
REPORTING PROCEDURES 8-23
OTHER EMPLOYEE EXPENSES 9-26
AMORTIZATION 8-26
Office in the Home 9-26
DEPLETION 8-27 Miscellaneous Employee Expenses 9-30
Intangible Drilling and Development Costs (IDCs) 8-27
Depletion Methods 8-28 CONTRIBUTIONS TO RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS 9-31
Employee IRAs 9-31
TAX PLANNING 8-30 Self-Employed Keogh (H.R. 10) Plans 9-32
Cost Recovery 8-30
Amortization 8-31 CLASSIFICATION OF EMPLOYEE EXPENSES 9-32
Cost Recovery Tables 8-31 Accountable Plans 9-32
Refocus on the Big Picture: Calculating Cost Recovery Deductions 8-36 Nonaccountable Plans 9-33
Reporting Procedures 9-34
CHAPTER 9 Improving the Tax Position of Employees 9-34
DEDUCTIONS: EMPLOYEE AND
SELF-EMPLOYED-RELATED EXPENSES 9-1 LIMITATIONS ON ITEMIZED DEDUCTIONS 9-35
The Big Picture: The First Job 9-1 Miscellaneous Itemized Deductions Subject to the
2 Percent Floor 9-35
EMPLOYEE VERSUS INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR 9-2 Miscellaneous Itemized Deductions Not Subject to the
2 Percent Floor 9-35
Concept Summary: Employee versus Independent Contractor 9-4
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XXX CONTENTS
Classification of Interest Expense 10-16 Concept Summary: Passive Activity Loss Rules: Key Issues
Concept Summary: Deductibility of Personal, Student Loan, and Answers 11-22
Mortgage, and Investment Interest 10-17 Computation of Allowable Deduction 11-23
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CONTENTS XXXI
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XXXII CONTENTS
Like-Kind Exchanges 15-21 Global Tax Issues: Capital Gain Treatment in the United
Involuntary Conversions 15-22 States and Other Countries 16-35
Sale of a Principal Residence 15-22 Effect of Capital Asset Status in Transactions Other Than Sales 16-35
Refocus on the Big Picture: Alternative Uses of Property 15-24 Stock Sales 16-36
Maximizing Benefits 16-36
CHAPTER 16 Year-End Planning 16-37
PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS: CAPITAL Refocus on the Big Picture: Managing Capital Asset Transactions 16-37
GAINS AND LOSSES 16-1
The Big Picture: Managing Capital Asset Transactions 16-1 CHAPTER 17
PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS: § 1231
GENERAL SCHEME OF TAXATION 16-3 AND RECAPTURE PROVISIONS 17-1
The Big Picture: Depreciation Recapture 17-1
CAPITAL ASSETS 16-3
Definition of a Capital Asset (§ 1221) 16-4 SECTION 1231 ASSETS 17-3
Ethics & Equity: Sculpture as a Capital Asset 16-6 Relationship to Capital Assets 17-3
Effect of Judicial Action 16-6 Property Included 17-4
Statutory Expansions 16-6 Property Excluded 17-4
Special Rules for Certain § 1231 Assets 17-4
SALE OR EXCHANGE 16-8 General Procedure for § 1231 Computation 17-6
Worthless Securities and § 1244 Stock 16-8 Concept Summary: Section 1231 Netting Procedure 17-7
Special Rule—Retirement of Corporate Obligations 16-8
SECTION 1245 RECAPTURE 17-10
Options 16-9
Section 1245 Property 17-12
Concept Summary: Options: Consequences to the Grantor
and Grantee 16-11 Observations on § 1245 17-12
Patents 16-11
SECTION 1250 RECAPTURE 17-13
Franchises, Trademarks, and Trade Names (§ 1253) 16-12
Section 1250 Recapture Situations 17-13
Concept Summary: Franchises: Consequences to the
Franchisor and Franchisee 16-13 Concept Summary: Comparison of § 1245 and
§ 1250 Depreciation Recapture 17-14
Lease Cancellation Payments 16-14
Unrecaptured § 1250 Gain (Real Estate 25% Gain) 17-14
Ethics & Equity: The Sale of a ‘‘Cost-Segregated’’ Building 17-15
HOLDING PERIOD 16-14
General Rules 16-14 CONSIDERATIONS COMMON TO §§ 1245
Special Holding Period Rules 16-15 AND 1250 17-16
Special Rules for Short Sales 16-16 Exceptions 17-16
Concept Summary: Short Sales of Securities 16-17 Other Applications 17-17
Concept Summary: Depreciation Recapture and
TAX TREATMENT OF CAPITAL GAINS AND § 1231 Netting Procedure 17-18
LOSSES OF NONCORPORATE TAXPAYERS 16-19 Global Tax Issues: Depreciation Recapture in
Capital Gain and Loss Netting Process 16-19 Other Countries 17-19
Qualified Dividend Income 16-23
Alternative Tax on Net Capital Gain and Qualified Dividend SPECIAL RECAPTURE PROVISIONS 17-19
Income 16-24 Special Recapture for Corporations 17-19
Concept Summary: Income Layers for Alternative Tax on Gain from Sale of Depreciable Property between Certain
Capital Gain Computation 16-25 Related Parties 17-19
Treatment of Net Capital Losses 16-26 Intangible Drilling Costs 17-19
Concept Summary: Final Results of the Capital Gain and
Loss Netting Process and How They Are Taxed 16-27 REPORTING PROCEDURES 17-20
Reporting Procedures 16-28 Ethics & Equity: Incorrect Depreciation and Recognized Gain 17-22
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CONTENTS XXXIII
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XXXIV CONTENTS
Flexible Benefit Plans 19-37 Concept Summary: A Comparison of Some of the Attributes of S and C
Liquidating Retirement Assets 19-38 Corporations 20-32
Refocus on the Big Picture: A Taxpayer Who Saves 19-41 Partnership Formation and Basis 20-32
Partnership Operation 20-34
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PART
1
INTRODUCTION AND
BASIC TAX MODEL
CHAPTER 1
An Introduction to Taxation and Understanding the Federal Tax Law
CHAPTER 2
Working with the Tax Law
CHAPTER 3
Tax Formula and Tax Determination; An Overview of Property
Transactions
Part 1 provides an introduction to taxation in the United States. Although this text focuses on income
taxation, other types of taxes are also briefly discussed. The purposes of the Federal tax law are
examined, and the legislative, administrative, and judicial sources of Federal tax law, including their
application to the tax research process, are analyzed. Part 1 concludes by introducing the basic tax
model for the individual taxpayer and providing an overview of property transactions.
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C H A P T E R An Introduction to Taxation
1 and Understanding the
Federal Tax Law
L E A R N I N G O B J E C T I V E S : After completing Chapter 1, you should be able to:
Explain the importance of taxation. Explain the administration of the tax law, including
LO.1 LO.5
the audit process utilized by the IRS.
Describe some of the history and trends of the Evaluate some of the ethical guidelines involved in
LO.2 LO.6
Federal income tax. tax practice.
Describe and apply principles and terminology Recognize the economic, social, equity, and political
LO.3 LO.7
relevant to the design of a tax system. considerations that justify various aspects of the tax
Identify the different taxes imposed in the United law.
LO.4
States at the Federal, state, and local levels. Describe the role played by the IRS and the courts in
LO.8
the evolution of the Federal tax system.
CHAPTER OUTLINE
1-1 Approaching the Study of Taxation, 1-2 1-4e Income Taxes, 1-15
1-1a What Is Taxation? 1-2 1-4f Employment Taxes, 1-17
1-1b Taxation in Our Lives, 1-2 1-4g Other U.S. Taxes, 1-18
1-1c The Relevance of Taxation to Accounting and 1-4h Proposed U.S. Taxes, 1-20
Finance Professionals, 1-3
1-5 Tax Administration, 1-21
1-1d How to Study Taxation, 1-4
1-5a Internal Revenue Service, 1-21
1-2 A Brief History of U.S. Taxation, 1-5 1-5b The Audit Process, 1-21
1-2a Early Periods, 1-5 1-5c Statute of Limitations, 1-24
1-2b Revenue Acts, 1-5 1-5d Interest and Penalties, 1-24
1-2c Historical Trends, 1-5 1-5e Tax Practice, 1-25
1-3 Tax System Design, 1-6 1-6 Understanding the Federal Tax Law, 1-27
1-3a Legal Foundation, 1-6 1-6a Revenue Needs, 1-27
1-3b The Basic Tax Formula, 1-7 1-6b Economic Considerations, 1-27
1-3c Tax Principles, 1-7 1-6c Social Considerations, 1-28
1-6d Equity Considerations, 1-29
1-4 Major Types of Taxes, 1-8
1-6e Political Considerations, 1-31
1-4a Property Taxes, 1-9
1-6f Influence of the Internal Revenue Service, 1-32
1-4b Transaction Taxes, 1-11
1-6g Influence of the Courts, 1-33
1-4c Taxes on Transfers at Death, 1-13
1-6h Summary, 1-34
1-4d Gift Taxes, 1-14
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THE BIG PICTURE CORBIS/SUPERSTOCK
Travis and Amy Carter are married and live in a state that imposes both a sales tax and an income tax. They
have two children, April (age 17) and Martin (age 18). Travis is a mining engineer who specializes in land
reclamation. After several years with a mining corporation, Travis established a consulting practice that
involves a considerable amount of travel. Amy is a registered nurse who, until recently, was a homemaker.
In November of this year, she decided to reenter the job market and accepted a position with a medical
clinic. The Carters live only a few blocks from Ernest and Mary Walker, Amy Carter’s parents. The Walkers
are retired and live on interest, dividends, and Social Security benefits.
Various developments occurring during the year with possible tax ramifications are summarized below.
• The ad valorem property taxes on the Carters’ residence are increased, while those on the Walkers’ resi-
dence are lowered.
• When Travis registers an automobile purchased last year in another state, he is required to pay a sales
tax to his home state.
• As an anniversary present, the Carters gave the Walkers a recreational vehicle (RV).
• When Travis made a consulting trip to Chicago, the client withheld Illinois state income tax from the pay-
ment made to Travis for his services.
• Travis employs his children to draft blueprints and prepare scale models for use in his work. Both April
and Martin have had training in drafting and topography.
• Early in the year, the Carters are audited by the state on an income tax return filed a few years ago. Later
in the year, they are audited by the IRS on a Form 1040 they filed for the same year. In each case, a tax
deficiency and interest were assessed.
• The Walkers are audited by the IRS. Unlike the Carters, they did not have to deal with an agent, but
settled the matter by mail.
Explain these developments and resolve the issues raised.
1-1
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1-2 PART 1 Introduction and Basic Tax Model
T
he primary objective of this chapter is to provide an overview of the Federal tax
system. Among the topics discussed are the following:
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CHAPTER 1 An Introduction to Taxation and Understanding the Federal Tax Law 1-3
different capacities. It is not easy to measure, but it is known that taxes are passed along
to individuals through higher prices, lower wages, and/or lower dividends.
Taxes also affect the lives of individuals via the ballot box. Federal, state, and local
elections often include initiatives that deal with taxation, such as whether state income
taxes should be raised (or lowered), whether a new tax should be imposed on soda, or
whether the sales tax rate should be changed. Candidates running for office often have
positions on tax changes they would like to make, if elected.
Given the pervasiveness of taxation—in our roles as both direct and indirect payers of
taxes, as well as citizens/voters—it is important that we understand how the tax system
operates.
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1-4 PART 1 Introduction and Basic Tax Model
xP
n
lan
na r plo
p
n in
e r u e
P ns Personal
g
xC
their taxes, taxpayers will deal with the IRS or their state tax C o Responsibilities
Ta
Individual
cy
Lit anci
Civ ibil
on
Fin
In
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CHAPTER 1 An Introduction to Taxation and Understanding the Federal Tax Law 1-5
2 6
3 AFTR 2602, 15 S.Ct. 912 (USSC, 1895). See Chapter 2 for an explanation of This should be contrasted with the highest 2017 tax rate of 39.6%, which
the citations of judicial decisions. applies once taxable income exceeds $418,400 for single taxpayers and
3
Flint v. Stone Tracy Co., 3 AFTR 2834, 31 S.Ct. 342 (USSC, 1911). $470,700 for married taxpayers filing a joint return.
7
4
See the discussion of state franchise taxes later in text Section 1-4g. Revenue data can be found at www.cbo.org and www.whitehouse.
5 gov/omb. The instruction booklet for Form 1040 includes a revenue pie
A $3,000 exemption in 1913 would be about $73,000 today, while a $4,000
chart that includes borrowing to cover the deficit, as well as a pie chart that
exemption would be about $97,000.
shows government spending in broad categories.
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1-6 PART 1 Introduction and Basic Tax Model
2% 1% 1%
Customs Duties
10% Estate and Gift Taxes
subject to the Federal income tax. By 1945, more than 74 percent of the population was
subject to the Federal income tax.8
Certain tax law changes are important to understand. In 1943, Congress passed the
Current Tax Payment Act, which provided for a pay-as-you-go tax system. A pay-as-
you-go income tax system requires employers to withhold a specified portion of an
employee’s wages and remit them to the government to cover the worker’s income
taxes. Persons with income from other than wages may have to make quarterly pay-
ments to the IRS for estimated taxes due for the year.
Recently, the increasing complexity of the Federal income tax laws is causing con-
cern. Congress has added to this complexity by frequently changing the tax laws, often
adding new deductions or tax credits. This complexity forces many taxpayers to seek
assistance in preparing their income tax returns. According to estimates, more than one-
half of individual taxpayers who file a return pay a preparer, and one-third purchase tax
software.9
8 9
Richard Goode, The Individual Income Tax (Washington, D.C.: The Brook- The Tax Foundation estimates that individual taxpayers spend over $20 bil-
ings Institution, 1964), pp. 2–4. lion and devote about 1.35 billion hours in preparing their tax returns.
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CHAPTER 1 An Introduction to Taxation and Understanding the Federal Tax Law 1-7
Tax Base
A tax base is the amount to which the tax rate is applied. In the case of the Federal
income tax, the tax base is taxable income. As noted later in the chapter (Exhibit 1.3), tax-
able income is gross income reduced by certain deductions (both business and personal).
Tax Rates
Tax rates are applied to the tax base to determine a taxpayer’s liability. The tax rates
may be proportional or progressive. A tax is proportional if the rate of tax remains con-
stant for any given income level. Examples of proportional taxes include most excise
taxes, general sales taxes, and employment taxes (FICA and FUTA).
Assume that a jurisdiction applies a 30% tax rate to all taxable income. If Bill has $10,000 of taxable
income, he will pay a tax of $3,000. If Sam has taxable income of $50,000, he will pay a tax of EXAMPLE
$15,000. If this constant rate is applied throughout the rate structure, the tax is proportional. 1
A tax is progressive if a higher rate of tax applies as the tax base increases. The Fed-
eral income tax, Federal gift and estate taxes, and most state income tax rate structures
are progressive.
If Bill and Cora, a married couple filing jointly, have taxable income of $15,000, their Federal
income tax for 2017 is $1,500 for an average tax rate of 10%. If, however, Bill and Cora’s taxable EXAMPLE
income is $80,000, their Federal income tax will be $11,478 for an average tax rate of 14.3%. 2
The tax is progressive because higher rates are applied to greater amounts of taxable income (see
Appendix A to confirm these calculations, and note how progressivity is built into the Federal
income tax).
The basic tax formula is relevant for both computing taxes and planning to reform a tax
system. For example, if a legislator wants to lower tax rates but generate the same amount
of tax revenues, the tax base must be increased. However, if she wants to increase tax rev-
enues, the tax base can be increased or tax rates can be increased (or both can be
increased). Changes to the tax base will depend on how it is constructed. For example, the
income tax base is taxable income (income minus income exclusions minus deductions).
To increase this tax base, income exclusions could be eliminated or deductions could be
limited. The details of the income tax base are discussed in later chapters. Tax system
changes also involve canons (or principles) of taxation, discussed next.
10
The Wealth of Nations (New York: Dutton, 1910), Book V, Chapter II,
Part II.
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1-8 PART 1 Introduction and Basic Tax Model
Rick is employed by Flamingo Corporation in San Antonio, Texas, at a salary of $74,000. Rick’s
EXAMPLE employer offers him a chance to transfer to its New York City office at a salary of $94,000.
3 Although Rick must consider many nontax factors before he decides on a job change, he should
also evaluate the tax climate. How do state and local taxes compare? For example, neither Texas nor
San Antonio imposes an income tax, but New York State and New York City do. A quick computation
indicates that the additional income taxes (Federal, state, and local) involve approximately $12,000.
Consequently, what appears to be a $20,000 pay increase is actually only about $8,000 when
the additional $12,000 of income taxes are taken into account. Other taxes and costs (e.g., sales
taxes, property taxes, food, utilities, transportation) will also have to be factored into a decision.
11
AICPA, Guiding Principles of Good Tax Policy: A Framework for Evaluat- criteria,” the GAO lists “equity; economic efficiency; and a combination of
ing Tax Proposals, 2017. Similarly, see GAO, Understanding the Tax simplicity, transparency, and administrability.”
Reform Debate: Background, Criteria, & Questions, 2005. As “long-standing
Copyright 2018 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. WCN 02-200-202
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Author: P. I. Hoogenhout
Language: Afrikaans
OP DIE DELWERYE
DEUR
IMKER HOOGENHOUT
MASKEW MILLER BEPERK
KAAPSTAD
VOORWOORD.
Die Delwerye! wat roep dit voor ons oog?
Armoede! Ellende! Ontaarding! Sedeloosheid!
Dis wat die meeste mense, met g’n bekendheid daarvan, dink.
Die Delwerye! daar lê skatte begrawe—en die mense stroom van
al die dele van Suid-Afrika daarheen in die mening dat dié skatte
hulle uit hulle armoede sal red en hulle ellende sal laat ophou, dog
teleurstelling wag die meeste, en teleurstelling bring bitterheid van
gevoel teen die samelewing, teen die Kerk en soms teen God.
Die Delwerye! daar lê skatte begrawe,—skatte van menselewens,
van mensekrag, van mensemateriaal. Skatte vir die Staat, vir die
Kerk, vir die Letterkunde. Die Staat moet rekening hou met die
Delwerye, want tevergeefs sal ons die Russiese Bolsjewisme buite
ons grense probeer hou, terwyl ons die gees van daardie kwaad
kweek in ons eie midde. Die Kerk moet planne beraam om die Troos
en Krag wat die Evangelie alleen kan gee, meer gereeld en gedurig
te bring aan dié wat anders hulle troos sal soek in wêreldse middels:
brandewyn en ydel vermake. Die skrywers kan gerus hulle aandag
wy aan die opeengehoopte mensemateriaal wat skatte inhou wat
ons opbloeiende letterkunde tot groter heerlikheid sal bring.
Die Skrywer van die „Delwerysketse” doen baanbrekerswerk—
prospekteerwerk. Hier en daar, soos sy opvoedkundige werk hom
toegelaat het en in aanraking met die delwersgemeenskap gebring
het, het hy gate gemaak en orals het hy bewyse gekry van
diamanthoudende grond. Hy het gesien watter skatte daar verborge
lê en het gedronge gevoel om dit aan die wêreld van Staat en Kerk
en Letterkunde bekend te stel. Vir dié ontdekking sal ons hom altyd
dankbaar bly, en ons sal altyd sy „Ontdekkersregte” in ag neem en
respekteer.
Delwerswerk is op die oog morsig—in die stowwerige aarde en in
die morsige klei moet gegrawe word. Hope waardelose „rof” word
deur die „bebe” afgeskud voor ’n mens met die wassery kan begin.
Die wassery is ’n eentonige besigheid, en dis tog ’n kuns—nie te
vinnig nie, ook nie te stadig moet die masjien draai nie, en die
„porrel” moet steeds dieselfde dikte hou. Jou klere en gesig word
meesal vuil bespat en gee vir die meeste ’n afkeer van die werk. Al
die kante van die delwerswerk word deur die Skrywer getoon: die
„rof”—die vloeker en drinker; die „porrel”—die mengelmoes-
gemeenskap wat deur die lewensmasjien deurmekaar gedraai word,
’n ondeursigtige moddermassa; die sif, waarmee die „gravitating”
geskied en die egte diamant sy karakter bewys deur bo te lê as die
sif omgekeer word. Die egte diamant word maar hier en daar gekry;
’n geoefende oog is nodig om, as die sif omgekeer word, uit die
miljoene blink klippies die ware diamant te sien, maar as die
edelgesteente in ons hand lê en ons bewonder sy skoonheid, dan
vergeet ons die harde werk, die vuil klere en al die waardelose
weggekrapte „was” in ons blydskap oor die skat wat ons uitgehaal
het.
In die hoop dat dit die Skrywer mag geluk om deur sy sketse by
ons Volk op te wek ’n groter belangstelling in en groter liefde vir die
skatte wat begrawe lê in die delwerye, beveel ons die lesing daarvan
van harte aan by almal wat Suid-Afrika en sy Volk liefhet.
E. J. J. van der HORST.
Wolmaransstad, 26 Februarie 1925.
ANNIE LOSPER.
I.
Die taak van die onderwyser op die delwerye is seker nie een van
ongemengde genot nie. Die hele atmosfeer van die diekens, soos
die delwers sal sê, is nie juis bereken om skoolhou ’n plesier te
maak nie. Die toestande waaronder die kinders opgroei, is so
hemeltergend benard dat dit ’n wonder is dat daar nog van een iets
teregkom. Die woning bestaan gewoonlik net uit een lokaaltjie, wat
so klein is dat ’n groot man hom moeilik tussen die paar kaste en
bankies waaruit die huisraad bestaan, kan beweeg. In hierdie
kamertjie word gekook en geëet en geslaap en, moenie skrik nie,
babetjies gebore. Dat baie kindertjies dus opgroei sonder enige
gevoel van skaamte of kiesheid of reinheid, kan niemand bevreem
nie.
Maar wat die werk van die onderwyser nog die meeste bemoeilik,
is die ondervoeding waaraan so baie delwerskinders ly. As ’n mens
die bleek gesiggies en die maer beentjies sien, dan bloei jou hart vir
hulle, en in die winter gaan dit eers swaar. Ek het meisies gesien wat
net ’n dun linnerokkie aan het sonder enige onderklere, en seuns
wat byna nakend loop. En op die kaal vlaktes waar die delwerye
meesal gevind word, kan dit raak koud word.
Die sanitêre reëling is uiters primitief, en epidemies van
maagkoors of ander besmetlike siektes is glad geen uitsondering
nie. Die wonder is dat daar nie meer mense jaarliks aan aansteeklike
siektes op die delwerye omkom nie, en temeer as verder in gedagte
gehou word dat daar geen enkele hospitaal op die diekens te vind is
nie!
Toe, leer nou kinders wat so sonder tug opgroei en daarby nog
gedurig honger ly. En tog verseker die goeie onderwyser(es) my dat
die delwerskinders gou aan tug en gesag gewend word. ’n Paar
meesters beweer selfs dat hulle liewer hierdie natuurkinders van
meet af aan in hulle klas wil hê as hulle meer-bevoorregte boeties en
sussies. Hoe dit ook al sy, ek het baie respek vir die onderwyser wat
’n sukses van sy werk in die delwerskool maak en daar aanbly, en
nie die eerste die beste geleentheid te baat neem om daarvandaan
te vlug nie.
Dis opmerklik hoe gou die delwer die goeie meester van sy
swakker kollega onderskei en dan vir laasgenoemde die lewe op die
delwery onmoontlik maak.
„Waarom stuur julle hierdie nuwe onderwyser nie liewers terug
normaalskool-toe nie?” vra ’n delwer eendag aan my.
„En wat is daar dan verkeerd met hom?”
„Kyk, Meneer, ’n meester wat heeldag sy keel hees skree voor ’n
klas, kan nie alte veel beteken nie. As ek die hele liewe dag my
kaffers moet rondskree, dan sou hulle later nie na my luister as ek
ordentlik met hulle praat nie. En dis mos darem nie nodig om soos ’n
mal mens te kere te gaan as jy iets aan ’n kind wil duidelik maak nie.
Party seuns sê die meester is gek, terwyl ’n paar dogters dit weer so
op hulle senuwees kry dat hulle weier om langer skool-toe te gaan.
My kind, wat aanstaande jaar in sy klas moet kom, huil nou al as sy
daaraan dink. Julle moet die vent wegvat, anders raak hy een van
die dae goed opgedons. Ek weet van ’n hele paar delwers wat lus
voel vir sy vel.”
Nou redeneer nou met so ’n man, temeer daar hy reg is. Wat skeel
dit hom dat hy die wet sal oortree as hy vir Meester opdons? Die
natuurmens redeneer nie, hy tree handelend op, en dis wonderlik
hoe fyn sy gevoel van reg en onreg ontwikkel is.
Soms egter kry Meester dit opdraand, omdat een of ander
voorman op die diekens ’n ander sienswyse oor aanvanklike
leermetodes toegedaan is.
„Jy moet die kinders die A, B, C leer,” het ’n vader die
onderwyseres een môre in die skool-lokaal voor al die kinders kom
teregwys. „Wat vir ’n gemors is daardie klank-affêre? As ek vir my
Kosie saans laat woorde spel, kan ek hom nie volg nie. My kind
moet net soos sy pape voor hom geleer word!” En toe die
onderwyseres haar hieraan nie steur nie, moes sy voor die
skoolkommissie verskyn en wou hierdie opvoedkundige liggaam
haar met alle geweld dwing om Gert Janse se metodiek te volg en in
die toekoms toe te pas. Die kwessie is selfs na die Skoolraad verwys
en, moenie lag nie, ’n deputasie moes uitgestuur word om die
skoolkommissie tot ander insigte te beweeg.
Dieselfde onderwyseres het later deur haar ywer en toewyding so
die harte van die delwers gesteel, dat hulle stilletjies ’n paar lede van
die Skoolkommissie na die Onderwys-departement afgevaardig het
om beleefd te vra dat haar salaris met £100 per jaar sou verhoog
word, mits sy op Syferlaagte aanbly en nie binne tien jaar sou trou
nie. En toe die Departement aan hierdie vriendelike versoek geen
gehoor gee nie, het die Kommissie my „kaalkop die waarheid vertel
en verseker dat beide ek en die Departement net ’n blooming wash-
out was en deur generaal Kemp moes uitgeskop word!” „En doen ou
Kempie dit nie, dan sal ons so wragtiewaar nie weer vir hom stem
nie!”
II.
Die skoolgebou op Syferlaagte was skaars geskik vir ’n koeistal; ja
ek twyfel of ’n ryk boer sou bereid gewees het om sy volbloed vee
daarin te huisves, en in so ’n lokaal moes ondervoede en onderklede
kinders aldag vyf uur deurbring. Oorspronklik was die gebou bedoel
gewees vir ’n koeliewinkel, waar so min lig en lug as moontlik vereis
word, want dit is nie in die belang van die verkoper dat sy kliënt alte
goed die ware wat hy koop, moet kan besigtig nie. Die hele gebou
het twee klein venstertjies en ’n deur gehad. Die sinkmure was van
binne nie met hout uitgevoer nie; daar was geen plafon nie, en die
vloer was van grond.
In die hartjie van die somer het die sink so warm geword dat ’n
mens dit nie met jou kaal hand kon aanraak nie; voeg nou daarby
nog die asempies van 62 leerlinge wat almal in die een lokaal
ingeprop is, en dan sal jy ’n flou denkbeeld kry van hoe die lug so
teen twaalfuur in die skoolgebou moet wees.
Buite kry ’n mens net die uitgegrawe kleims en die hope dooie
grond en gruis. ’n Boom is ’n onbekende iets. Maar stof, as die wind
waai, hang soos ’n bruin sluier oor die delwerye en verpes die
atmosfeer in die skool nog meer. En, leser, hierdie beskrywing is nie
uit die duim gesuie nie; dis getrou aan die waarheid.
Onder sulke omstandighede moet die onderwyseres onderrig gee
en moet die kinders opgevoed word!
En die outoriteite is nie altoos te blameer nie, want ’n delwery is
iets wat dikwels in ’n dag se tyd ontstaan en soms binne ’n jaar se
tyd verlate is. Inteendeel, dis prysenswaardig dat daar tog ’n poging
aangewend word om onderwys te verskaf aan die honderde
kindertjies wat anders vir kwaadgeld sou rondloop.
„Toe, begin maar,” sê ek aan die onderwyseres by die aanvang
van die skool, „en gaan voort net soos gewoonlik.”
Sy open met gebed en laat toe sing: „Heer, waar dan heen” en wat
daar op volg, wat my nogal as heeltemal treffend voorgekom het. Ja,
ek weet nie van nog ’n gesang wat so toepaslik is vir die delwerye
nie.
Daarna het sy die sondvloed met die leerlinge behandel; en al het
sy dit nou nie juis altyd streng ortodoks gedoen nie, tog het sy
meesterlik daarin geslaag om dit interessant voor te dra en die
kinders se aandag te boei.
Na afloop van die les sê sy: „Nou, kinders, kan julle vrae stel oor
enigiets wat julle nie duidelik is nie.”
„Juffrou,” en agter in die klas gaan ’n vuil handjie omhoog, „het
Noag vlieë en vlooie ook in die ark geneem?”—Hierdie insektetjies is
vreeslik lastig op die diekens.
„Ek dink seker, Kosie,” antwoord die onderwyseres.
„Maar hoor dis jammer dat die ding nie vergaan het nie,” weer van
Kosie.
„Maar, Kosie, dan sou die mense en die diere ook mos saam
verongeluk het, en dan sou geeneen van ons mos vandag hier
gewees het nie,” herneem Juffrou.
„Ja, dis ook weer waar,” sê Kosie. Dog op sy gesiggie is ’n
onverskillige uitdrukking duidelik leesbaar, en dis nie moeilik om te
ontsyfer wat in sy breintjie omgaan nie: As die mens moes gespaar
gebly het om sy lewe op die delwerye te slyt, dan was die redding
van Noag en sy kroos ’n groot fout.
„Juffrou,” en vlak voor haar word ’n handjie omhoog gehou van ’n
meisietjie met groot blou kykers en ’n maer gesiggie wat van
ondervoeding getuig, „Juffrou, glo Juffrou alles wat in die Bybel
staan?”
„Hoekom vra jy dit, Miemie?” sê die onderwyseres sonder om
haarself te kompromiteer.
„Omdat my pa sê dis somar alles kaf, maar Mammie sê weer dis
alles die heilige waarheid. En al glo ek vir my mammie, want sy is so
goed, tog wil ek graag weet wat Juffrou dink.”
„Ek stem saam met jou mammie,” bevestig Juffrou.
Hier val ek in: „Waar is jou ouer sustertjie, Miemie?”
„Sy is siek, Meneer, baie siek. Sy laat groete weet en sal tog so
bly wees as Meneer net vir haar ’n oomblikkie wil kom besoek
voordat Meneer wegry. Sy het so vorentoe gekyk na die inspeksie,
maar nou...” en hier swem klein Miemie se oë in die trane.
„Nou goed. Sê vir Annie ek kom haar vanmiddag besoek en sy
moet gou gesond word.”
Dis snaaks dat ek vir Annie Losper so goed onthou het. Ek kon
sedert my vorige besoek nooit haar gesiggie uit my geheue verban
nie. Uit ’n allerarmoedigste huisgesin, het tog haar oë en die soet
uitdrukking van die gesiggie somar dadelik ’n mens getref. In haar
klas was sy maklik nommer een in elke opsig, en die onderwyseres,
iemand van lang ervaring, het my verseker dat sy nog nooit van te
vore so ’n kind in haar klas gehad het nie. Haar opmerking verlede
jaar was dan ook snaaks genoeg: „Ek glo nie sy is vir hierdie wêreld
nie!”
Eindelik was die inspeksie afgeloop en kon die skool vir die dag
sluit. Die werk was baie bevredigend, en die juffrou en die kinders
het ’n pluimpie gekry.
Nou wag daar nog ’n paar lede van die Skoolkommissie; maar ook
hulle moeilikhede is ten laaste opgelos, en nou was ek net haastig
om weg te kom.
Onder al die werksaamhede van die dag het ek Annie glad
vergeet.
III.
Die delwer het heelwat goeie hoedanighede, en as ’n mens geleer
het om sy minder beskaafde karaktertrekke nie raak te sien nie, dan
begin jy hom werklik liefkry.
Dit was al na drie toe ek kon vertrek, en ek het nog nie eers die
tyd kon vind om te eet nie. Ek het my derhalwe gehaas om by die
huis te kom. Voordat ek egter die delwery uit was, bars daar ’n
vreeslike onweer los wat my verplig om in die eerste die beste huisie
skuiling te soek. My gasheer was ’n man van sowat dertig somers en
ongetroud. Aan alles in die hutjie kon ’n mens merk dat hy beter dae
geken het. Sy opmerking by my binnekoms was dan ook vreemd
genoeg: „Jy het seker gedink toe jy by my deur instap:
„Jy het reg geraai,” antwoord ek, „maar wat soek jy hier op die
delwery?”
„My naam is Fanie Renier en ek is ’n teruggekeerde soldaat wat
vir reg en geregtigheid onskadelik gemaak is,” sê hy op ’n bitter toon,
„en wat toe na die delwerye gestuur is met £20 om hier te kom
vrek!... Maar het jy al geëet?”
„Nee, ou broer, maar moenie moeite maak nie; kos is seker by jou
nie alte volop nie.”
Sonder om hom aan my te steur steek hy ’n Primus-stofie op, bak
gou ’n paar eiers, braai ’n stukkie vleis en sit vir my dit voor met ’n
stukkie droë brood en koffie.... Ek het later uitgevind dat hy my sy
laaste leeftog voorgesit het en dat hy die volgende dag sonder kos
moes bly. Vandaar dan ook die gesegde in Transvaal: „By ’n trekker
en ’n delwer is ’n mens altyd welkom.”
Die weer het eindelik opgeklaar, en na ’n hartlike dankie aan my
nuwe kennis wou ek op die moter klim.
„Kyk hier,” sê hy, terwyl hy my aan die arm vat, „kan julle dan niks
doen vir die mense wat hier langs my woon nie? Die toestand van
hierdie famielie is allerellendigs. Die vader suip soos ’n vis, die
moeder is in die bed met ’n babetjie, die oudste dogtertjie lê siek, en
die ander kinders word totaal verwaarloos. Ek glo nie daar is ’n
stukkie kos in daardie huisie te kry nie. So ver ek kon het ek gehelp,
maar op die oomblik is ek self poot-uit. Kan jy nie nog ’n oomblikkie
spaar om saam met my te gaan kyk nie?”
Om die waarheid te sê, het ek maar min lus daarvoor gevoel,
maar meer om my gasheer tevrede te stel as om enige ander rede
het ek ingewillig.
Die famielie het maar ’n paar tree van Fanie se huisie gewoon, en
ons was dus gou by ons bestemming. Nou het ek al gewoon geword
om enige pondokkie op ’n delwery as geskik vir menslike verblyf te
beskou, maar so ’n krot as waar ons nou voor staan, het ek nog
nooit gesien nie. Hoe enige persoon in so iets kan lewe, is vir my
nou nog ’n raaisel! Die hutjie het bestaan uit ’n klompie oopgevlekte
parafienblikke wat op een of ander manier aan mekaar getimmer
was, met seilsakke hier en daar tussenin om as vensters te dien.
Ons kruip hande-viervoet in, en ons oë moes eers gewoon word
aan die half-duister voor ons iets binne kon onderskei.
„Ruk daardie sak solank af asseblief,” sê ek aan Fanie, „sodat ’n
mens kan sien en asem kan skep.”
Hy doen dit op my versoek, en toe ontvou hom daar ’n toneel aan
ons oë, so hartverskeurend soos ek nog nooit van te vore gesien het
nie of hoop om ooit weer getuie van te wees nie.
In die een hoek op ’n klomp sakke wat oor droë gras gesprei is, lê
die moeder met haar babetjie, en onder by die voetenent op ’n paar
sakke die siek dogtertjie, wat niemand anders as Annie Losper was
nie. My nuwe kennis en ek kon ons met moeite omdraai in die
kamertjie.
„Die dokter was vanmôre hier,” fluister Renier in my oor, „en hy sê
daar is nie hoop vir Annie nie. Haar liggaampie is deur gedurige
ondervoeding te uitgeput om die siekte af te skud.”
Dis my later meegedeel dat Renier ses maande na hierdie voorval
nog altyd doktersrekening afbetaal het.
„Dag, Annie,” groet ek so opgewek as ek kon onder die treurige
omstandighede, „en hoe gaan dit met jou, my kind?”
„Nie alte sleg nie, Meneer, maar ek was tog so spyt dat ek nie
vandag op skool kon wees nie,” antwoord sy met ’n flou glimlaggie,
en haar stemmetjie was so swak dat ek haar amper nie kon verstaan
nie.
„Ag, moenie vir jou kwel nie, my kind; jy sal tog in ieder geval
oorgeplaas word na ’n hoër standerd. Hou maar vir jou stil sodat jy
gou kan gesond word. Aanstaande jaar hoop ek seker om jou weer
eerste in jou klas te sien staan.”
’n Hemelse glimlaggie speel om die bleek ou mondjie. Sy skud
haar koppie en nouliks hoorbaar fluister sy: „Aanstaande jaar sal ek
nie meer op skool wees nie.”
„Ag nee wat, Annie, jy is nog glad te jonk om uit die skool te gaan,”
en ek maak asof ek haar nie reg begryp het nie, „en die
onderwyseres sal dit mos nooit toelaat nie. Maar moenie meer praat
nie; dit maak jou alte moeg. Probeer liewer om ’n bietjie te rus.”
Ek moes nou my oor vlak teen haar mondjie hou om te hoor wat
sy sê. Gelukkig het Renier die moeder besig gehou en sy het dus nie
gemerk wat hier by haar plaasvind nie.
„Meneer,” en sy kyk my stip in die oë, „sal Meneer nie asseblief vir
my saggies Psalm 23 opsê nie? Ek het dit laas nog by die inspeksie
vir Meneer opgesê.”
Dis die eerste keer wat ek die rol van sieke-trooster en predikant
moes vervul, maar ek het dit gedoen so goed as ek kon. Ek het haar
uitgeteerde handjies in myne geneem en toe daardie mooi Psalm so
goed as ek kon opgesê. Toe ek klaar was, kon ek nog ’n flou dankie
hoor en daarna die woorde: „Al gaan ek ook in die dal van die
skaduwee van die dood, dan sou ek nie kwaad vrees nie.” Toe breek
die mooi blou ogies, die handjies word koud, en Annie Losper was in
’n beter wêreld oorgeplant.
Die handjies het ek eerbiedig op die borsie gekruis, ’n sagte
soentjie op die voorkoppie gedruk, en toe letterlik die pondokkie
uitgevlug. My gemoed was te vol; ek kon die droefheid en hartseer
ook nie aansien nie.
Uit die tent kom die angsgeskrei van ’n gebroke moederhart: „O,
my God! My kind! My kind!”
Buite het ek vir Renier gewag. Aan sy gesig kon ek sien dat ook
hy ontroerd was. Daar is geen woord tussen ons gewissel nie, net ’n
warm handdruk wedersyds, en toe het ek op die moter geklim en
huis-toe gery.
HENDRIK BLITS.
I.
Wat Hendrik Blits se regte naam was, kon niemand van die
delwers my vertel nie. Hierdie bynaam het hy verwerf, eerstens
omdat hy hom gereeld elke naweek dronk gedrink het aan
kafferblits, en twedens omdat sy taal dan by sulke geleenthede so
sterk gekleur was.
My kennismaking met Hendrik was nogal baie buitengewoon. Op
’n koue môre in Julie het ek my op Diamantkuil bevind, waar ek in
gesprek was met die hoof van die Goewerment-skool, toe hy die
opmerking maak: „Allewêreld, hoe mishandel so ’n Groot Lawaai
weer vanoggend die stomme donkies!”
Groot Lawaai was die naam van ’n groot, vierkantige lummel van
’n vent. Hy was ’n baster en ’n boelie so groot as wat daar te vinde
is. Om sy grootte en krag het die delwers hom met respek behandel
en verder maar so veel moontlik uit sy pad gebly. Ek kyk in die
rigting waar die hoof wys, en daar sien ek ’n waterwa met veertien
donkies bespan, krakend en waggelend die spruit se wal uitkom. Dit
was duidelik dat die donkies so skaars-skaars die wa kon uitbring.
En g’n wonder nie! Gras was daar op die hele delwery nie genoeg vir
’n paar honderd sprinkane nie, laat staan ’n paar honderd diere. En
op hierdie veld moet die arme donkies nou snags hulle pense
volvreet, na ’n dag van swaar trek en mishandeling.
’n Diamantkoper wat ook vroeër gedelf het, het eendag die
onderstaande opmerking in my teenwoordigheid gemaak: „Twee
dinge dank ek die liewe Vader dat ek nie is nie: ’n delwer se donkie
en ’n delwer se vrou!” Sedert dié tyd het ek eersgenoemde bewering
ongelukkig al oor en oor gestaaf gesien.
Wel, die veertien donkies van Groot Lawaai was g’n uitsondering
nie; die arme diere was letterlik net vel en been. Om hulle aan die
gang te hou, loop hy op en af langs die span, en terwyl hy die
gruwelikste vloekwoorde uitstoot, gésel hy die donkies
meedogenloos met ’n groot handsambok. ’n Mens kon die doef,
doef, van die houe seker ’n myl ver hoor.
„Maar is hier dan niemand op Diamantkuil om ’n stop aan sulke
wreedheid te sit nie?” vra ek, en ek voel hoe die bloed na my kop toe
bruis.
„Nee,” sê die hoof, „almal is bang vir Groot Lawaai, want hy is ’n
vreeslike woestaard.”
Al nader en nader kom die wa, en al harder en harder klink die
doef, doef van die sambok.
Ek het my al klaar voorgeneem om met die vent te gaan praat en,
as dit nie help nie, die poliesie van die mishandeling van die esels te
gaan verwittig, toe daar skielik uit ’n onverwagte oord ’n ander vir die
donkies in die bres spring.
„O magtig!” roep die hoof verbaasd uit, „wat gaan Hendrik Blits
nou maak? Groot Lawaai sal hom vermorsel. Laat ons nader stap
om, indien moontlik, die rusie te voorkom.”
Ek het nooit die persoon opgemerk wat g’n vyftig tree van ons af
onder ’n doringboom gelê en slaap het nie, voordat die opmerking
van die onderwyser nie my aandag by hom bepaal het nie. Ewe op
sy gemak staan Hendrik Blits op, rek hom uit, gooi sy flenterbaadjie
van hom af en stap reguit na Groot Lawaai toe.
„Kyk hier, jou gemene boelie, as jy nog ’n slag jou arm oplig om
die donkies te slaan, dan dons ek vir jou op. Het jy my begryp, jou
vervloekte baster?”
Die Groot Lawaai se gesig was die moeite werd om te sien. Dis
amper ongelooflik dat ’n mens se gelaatstrekke so kan verander. Die
duiwel, soos hy my in my kinderjare op sy lelikste afgeskilder is, sou
vir hierdie bakkies geskrik het.
„Jou verd...de kind!” brul Groot Lawaai woedend, „sal jy vir my
kom belet om my eie diere vrek te slaan as ek wil? Jakob! Jou
d..der!” en met hierdie vloek slaan hy die hotagter donkie oor die kop
netso hard as hy kan. Toe draai hy na Hendrik Blits en sê smalend:
„En nou gaan ek van jou frikkadel maak, jou vieslike dronklap.”
’n Mens sou nooit sulke ratheid by Hendrik gesoek het nie, maar
voor jy mes kon sê, ruk hy die handsambok uit die baster se hand uit
en gebied: „Trek uit jou baadjie; ek wil jou op gelyke voet ontmoet,
sodat jy nie naderhand behoef te vertel dat ek jou onder ’n hendikep
’n pak slae gegee het nie. Toe, maak gou as jy nie te lafhartig is nie!”
En Hendrik gooi die sambok neer en plaas sy voet daarop.
Groot Lawaai het hom nie tweemaal laat nooi nie. Hy pluk sy
baadjie uit en onder ’n stroom van die profaanste vloeke loop hy vir
Hendrik storm. Van natuur is ek nie iemand wat behae skep in rusie
en bakleiery nie, maar hierdie môre het ek die mieks-op—soos die
delwers sal sê—eerlik geniet, en my hele siel was aan Hendrik se
kant.
’n Man wat baie woedend is, kan nie goed boks nie. Groot Lawaai
was seker tweemaal so sterk as Hendrik Blits, maar waar
laasgenoemde kortgeskiet het in krag, het sy ratheid en kennis van
boks hierdie tekortkoming meer as vergoed.
Hy duik onder Groot Lawaai se arm deur, en voordat die baster sy
ewewig kan herwin, kry hy ’n opstopper op sy kinnebak wat hom
soos ’n besopene laat waggel. Arrie! maar dit het die boelie darem
nie verwag nie. Hierdie veragtelike skepsel wat hy tot stof sou
vermorsel, het hom so wrintig-waar amper onderstebo geslaan. Hy
sal nou sy taktiek verander en versigtiger te werk gaan. Soos ’n
mierkat om ’n slang begin Groot Lawaai al om Hendrik Blits te dans,
totdat hy skielik buk en die handsambok gryp en voordat Hendrik
kan keer, hom ’n hou oer sy gesig gee dat die bloed so tussen vel en
vleis wys.
„Eina! maar dis gemeen!” skree die onderwyser, en hy tel ’n klip op
wat goed ’n paar pond weeg. „Ek voel by my kool lus om die vloek
se kop hiermee te verbrysel!” en hy hef die steen dreigend omhoog.