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2018 EDITION

TAXATION of INDIVIDUALS AND


McGraw-Hill’s

BUSINESS ENTITIES
SPILKER • AYERS • BARRICK • OUTSLAY • ROBINSON • WEAVER • WORSHAM
McGraw-Hill’s

Taxation of Individuals
and Business Entities
Brian C. Spilker
Brigham Young University
Editor

Benjamin C. Ayers John A. Barrick


The University of Georgia Brigham Young University
Edmund Outslay John R. Robinson
Michigan State University Texas A&M University
Connie D. Weaver Ron G. Worsham
Texas A&M University Brigham Young University
McGRAW-HILL’S TAXATION OF INDIVIDUALS AND BUSINESS ENTITIES, 2018 EDITION, NINTH EDITION
Published by McGraw-Hill Education, 2 Penn Plaza, New York, NY 10121. Copyright © 2018 by McGraw-Hill Education. All rights
­reserved. Printed in the United States of America. Previous editions © 2017, 2016, and 2015. No part of this publication may be
reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written consent
of McGraw-Hill Education, including, but not limited to, in any network or other electronic storage or transmission, or broadcast for
distance learning.
Some ancillaries, including electronic and print components, may not be available to customers outside the United States.
This book is printed on acid-free paper.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 LWI 21 20 19 18 17
ISBN  978-1-259-71183-1
MHID 1-259-71183-8
ISSN  1946-7745
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Dedications
We dedicate this book to:
My entire family, whose love and support helped make this book possible, and to Professor Dave Stewart for his
great example and friendship over the last three decades.
Brian Spilker
My wife, Marilyn, daughters Margaret Lindley and Georgia, son Benjamin, and parents Bill and Linda.
Ben Ayers
My wife, Jill, and my children Annika, Corinne, Lina, Mitch, and Connor.
John Barrick
My family, Jane, Mark, Sarah, Chloe, Lily, Jeff, and Nicole, and to Professor James E. Wheeler, my mentor and friend.
Ed Outslay
JES, Tommy, and Laura.
John Robinson
My family: Dan, Travis, Alix, and Alan, and to Professor Dave Stewart.
Connie Weaver
My wife, Anne, sons Matthew and Daniel, and daughters Whitney and Hayley.
Ron Worsham
About the Authors

Brian Spilker (PhD, University of Texas at Austin, 1993) is the Robert Call/Deloitte Professor
in the School of Accountancy at Brigham Young University. He teaches taxation in the grad-
uate and undergraduate programs at Brigham Young University. He received both BS (Summa
Cum Laude) and MAcc (tax emphasis) degrees from Brigham Young University before work-
ing as a tax consultant for Arthur Young & Co. (now Ernst & Young). After his professional
work experience, Brian earned his PhD at the University of Texas at Austin. In 1996, he was
selected as one of two nationwide recipients of the Price Waterhouse Fellowship in Tax
Award. In 1998, he was a winner of the American Taxation Association and Arthur Andersen
Teaching Innovation Award for his work in the classroom; he has also been awarded for his
use of technology in the classroom at Brigham Young University. Brian researches issues re-
lating to tax information search and professional tax judgment. His research has been pub-
Courtesy of Brian Spilker
lished in journals such as The Accounting Review, Organizational Behavior and Human
Decision Processes, Journal of the American Taxation Association, Behavioral Research in
Accounting, Journal of Accounting Education, Journal of Corporate Taxation, and Journal of
Accountancy.

Ben Ayers (PhD, University of Texas at Austin, 1996) holds the Earl Davis Chair in Taxation
and is the dean of the Terry College of Business at the University of Georgia. He received a
PhD from the University of Texas at Austin and an MTA and BS from the University of
­Alabama. Prior to entering the PhD program at the University of Texas, Ben was a tax
­manager at KPMG in Tampa, Florida, and a contract manager with Complete Health, Inc., in
Birmingham, Alabama.

Ben teaches tax planning and research courses in the undergraduate and graduate programs at
the University of Georgia. He is the recipient of 11 teaching awards at the school, college, and
university levels, including the Richard B. Russell Undergraduate Teaching Award, the high-
est teaching honor for University of Georgia junior faculty members. His research interests
Courtesy Ben Ayers
include the effects of taxation on firm structure, mergers and acquisitions, and capital markets
and the effects of accounting information on security returns. He has published articles in
journals such as The Accounting Review, Journal of Finance, Journal of Accounting and Eco-
nomics, Contemporary Accounting Research, Review of Accounting Studies, Journal of Law
and Economics, Journal of the American Taxation Association, and National Tax Journal.
Ben was the 1997 recipient of the American Accounting Association’s Competitive Manu-
script Award, the 2003 and 2008 recipient of the American Taxation Association’s Outstand-
ing Manuscript Award, and the 2016 recipient of the American Taxation Association’s Ray
M. Sommerfeld Outstanding Tax Educator Award.

iii
iv About the Authors

John Barrick (PhD, University of Nebraska at Lincoln, 1998) is currently an associate profes-
sor in the Marriott School at Brigham Young University. He served as an accountant at the
United States Congress Joint Committee on Taxation during the 110th and 111th Congresses.
He teaches taxation in the graduate and undergraduate programs at Brigham Young Univer-
sity. He received both BS and MAcc (tax emphasis) degrees from Brigham Young University
before working as a tax consultant for Price Waterhouse (now PricewaterhouseCoopers).
­After his professional work experience, John earned his PhD at the University of Nebraska at
Lincoln. He was the 1998 recipient of the American Accounting Association, Accounting,
Behavior, and Organization Section’s Outstanding Dissertation Award. John researches issues
relating to tax corporate political activity. His research has been published in journals such as
Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Contemporary Accounting
Courtesy John Barrick
­Research, and Journal of the American Taxation Association.

Ed Outslay (PhD, University of Michigan, 1981) is a professor of accounting and the Deloitte/
Michael Licata Endowed Professor of Taxation in the Department of Accounting and Infor-
mation Systems at Michigan State University, where he has taught since 1981. He received a
BA from Furman University in 1974 and an MBA and PhD from the University of Michigan
in 1977 and 1981. Ed currently teaches graduate classes in corporate taxation, multiunit enter-
prises, accounting for income taxes, and international taxation. In February 2003, Ed testified
before the Senate Finance Committee on the Joint Committee on Taxation’s Report on Enron
Corporation. MSU has honored Ed with the Presidential Award for Outstanding Community
Service, Distinguished Faculty Award, John D. Withrow Teacher-Scholar Award, Roland H.
Salmonson Outstanding Teaching Award, Senior Class Council Distinguished Faculty Award,
MSU Teacher-Scholar Award, and MSU’s 1st Annual Curricular Service-Learning and Civic
Engagement Award in 2008. Ed received the Ray M. Sommerfeld Outstanding Tax Educator
Courtesy Ed Outslay
Award in 2004 and the Lifetime Service Award in 2013 from the American Taxation Associ-
ation. He has also received the ATA Outstanding Manuscript Award twice, the ATA/Deloitte
Teaching Innovations Award, and the 2004 Distinguished Achievement in Accounting Educa-
tion Award from the Michigan Association of CPAs. Ed has been recognized for his commu-
nity service by the Greater Lansing Chapter of the Association of Government Accountants,
the City of East Lansing (Crystal Award), and the East Lansing Education Foundation. He
received a National Assistant Coach of the Year Award in 2003 from AFLAC and was named
an Assistant High School Baseball Coach of the Year in 2002 by the Michigan High School
Baseball Coaches Association.
About the Authors v

John Robinson (PhD, University of Michigan, 1981) is the Patricia ’77 and Grant E. Sims ’77
Eminent Scholar Chair in Business. Prior to joining the faculty at Texas A&M, John was the
C. Aubrey Smith Professor of Accounting at the University of Texas at Austin, Texas, and he
taught at the University of Kansas where he was the Arthur Young Faculty Scholar. In
2009–2010 John served as the Academic Fellow in the Division of Corporation Finance at the
Securities and Exchange Commission. He has been the recipient of the Henry A. Bubb Award
for outstanding teaching, the Texas Blazer’s Faculty Excellence Award, and the MPA Council
Outstanding Professor Award. John also received the 2012 Outstanding Service Award from
the American Taxation Association (ATA). John served as the 2014–2015 president (elect) of
the ATA and is the ATA’s president for 2015–2016. John conducts research in a broad variety
of topics involving financial accounting, mergers and acquisitions, and the influence of taxes
on financial structures and performance. His scholarly articles have appeared in The Account-
ing Review, The Journal of Accounting and Economics, Journal of Finance, National Tax Courtesy John Robinson
Journal, Journal of Law and Economics, Journal of the American Taxation Association, The
Journal of the American Bar Association, and The Journal of Taxation. John’s research was
honored with the 2003 and 2008 ATA Outstanding Manuscript Awards. In addition, John was
the editor of The Journal of the American Taxation Association from 2002–2005. Professor
Robinson received his J.D. (Cum Laude) from the University of Michigan in 1979, and he
earned a PhD in accounting from the University of Michigan in 1981. John teaches courses on
individual and corporate taxation and advanced accounting.

Connie Weaver (PhD, Arizona State University, 1997) is the KPMG Professor of Accounting
at Texas A&M University. She received a PhD from Arizona State University, an MPA from
the University of Texas at Arlington, and a BS (chemical engineering) from the University of
Texas at Austin. Prior to entering the PhD Program, Connie was a tax manager at Ernst &
Young in Dallas, Texas, where she became licensed to practice as a CPA. She teaches taxation
in the Professional Program in Accounting and the Executive MBA program at Texas A&M
University. She has also taught undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Wis-
consin–Madison and the University of Texas at Austin. She is the recipient of several teaching
awards, including the 2006 American Taxation Association/Deloitte Teaching Innovations
award, the David and Denise Baggett Teaching award, and the college level Association of
Former Students Distinguished Achievement award recognizing innovation in teaching taxa-
Courtesy Connie Weaver
tion. Connie’s current research interests include the effects of tax and financial incentives on
corporate decisions and reporting. She has published articles in journals such as The Account-
ing Review, Contemporary Accounting Research, Journal of the American Taxation Associa-
tion, National Tax Journal, Accounting Horizons, Journal of Corporate Finance, and Tax
Notes. She serves on the editorial board of Contemporary Accounting Research and Issues in
Accounting Education and was the 1998 recipient of the American Taxation Association’s
Outstanding Dissertation award.

Ron Worsham (PhD, University of Florida, 1994) is an associate professor in the School of
Accountancy at Brigham Young University. He teaches taxation in the graduate, undergradu-
ate, MBA, and Executive MBA programs at Brigham Young University. He has also taught as
a visiting professor at the University of Chicago. He received both BS and MAcc (tax empha-
sis) degrees from Brigham Young University before working as a tax consultant for Arthur
Young & Co. (now Ernst & Young) in Dallas, Texas. While in Texas, he became licensed to
practice as a CPA. After his professional work experience, Ron earned his PhD at the Univer-
sity of Florida. He has been honored for outstanding innovation in the classroom at Brigham
Young University. Ron has published academic research in the areas of taxpayer compliance
and professional tax judgment. He has also published legal research in a variety of areas. His
work has been published in journals such as Journal of the American Taxation Association,
The Journal of International Taxation, The Tax Executive, Tax Notes, The Journal of Account- Courtesy Ron Worsham
ancy, and Practical Tax Strategies.
TEACHING THE CODE IN CONTEXT

The basic approach to teaching taxation hasn’t changed in decades. Today’s


student deserves a new approach. McGraw-Hill’s Taxation of Individuals
and Business Entities is a bold and innovative series that has been adopted
by over 300 schools across the country.
McGraw-Hill’s Taxation is designed to provide
“This is the best tax book on the market. It’s very
a unique, innovative, and engaging learning ex-
readable, student-friendly, and provides great
perience for students studying taxation. The
supplements.”
breadth of the topical coverage, the storyline
approach to presenting the material, the em- – Ann Esarco,
phasis on the tax and nontax consequences of McHenry County College
multiple parties involved in transactions, and
the integration of financial and tax accounting
topics make this book ideal for the modern tax
curriculum.

Since the first manuscript was written in


“A lot of thought and planning went into the struc-
2005, 437 professors have contributed 478
ture and content of the text, and a great product
book reviews, in addition to 26 focus groups
was achieved. One of the most unique and help-
ful features is the common storyline throughout and symposia. Throughout this preface, their
each chapter.” comments on the book’s organization, peda-
gogy, and unique features are a testament to
– Raymond J. Shaffer, the market-driven nature of Taxation’s
Youngstown State University
development.

“The Spilker text, in many ways, is a more logical approach than any other tax textbook. The text makes
great use of the latest learning technologies through Connect and LearnSmart.”
– Ray Rodriguez, Southern Illinois University–Carbondale

vi
A MODERN APPROACH
FOR TODAY’S STUDENT
“This text provides a new approach to the teaching of the technical material. The style of the text material
is easier to read and understand. The examples and storyline are interesting and informative. The arrangement
makes more sense in the understanding of related topics.”
– Robert Bertucelli, Long Island University–Post

Spilker’s taxation series was built around the following five core precepts:

1
Storyline Approach: Each chapter begins with a storyline that introduces a set of characters or
a business entity facing specific tax-related situations. Each chapter’s examples are related to
the storyline, providing students with opportunities to learn the code in context.

2
Integrated Examples: In addition to provid- “Excellent text; love the story line approach and
ing examples in-context, we provide integrated examples. It’s easy to read and under-
“What if ” scenarios within many examples stand explanations. The language of the text is very
to illustrate how variations in the facts clear and straightforward.”
might or might not change the answers. – Sandra Owen, Indiana University–Bloomington

3
Conversational Writing Style: The authors took special care to write McGraw-Hill’s Taxation in
a way that fosters a friendly dialogue between the content and each individual student. The
tone of the presentation is intentionally conversational—creating the impression of speaking
with the student, as opposed to lecturing to the student.
4
Superior Organization of Related Topics:
McGraw-Hill’s Taxation provides two al- “I believe it breaks down complex topics in a way
that’s easy to understand. Definitely easier than
ternative topic sequences. In the McGraw-
other tax textbooks that I’ve had experience with.”
Hill’s Taxation of Individuals and Business
Entities volume, the individual topics gen- – Jacob Gatlin, Athens State University
erally follow the tax form sequence, with
an individual overview chapter and then chapters on income, deductions, investment-related
issues, and the tax liability computation. The topics then transition into business-related topics
that apply to individuals. This volume then provides a group of specialty chapters dealing with
topics of particular interest to individuals (including students), including separate chapters on
home ownership, compensation, and retirement savings and deferred compensation. This volume
concludes with a chapter covering the taxation of business entities. Alternatively, in the
­Essentials of Federal Taxation volume, the topics follow a more traditional sequence, with
­topics streamlined (no specialty chapters) and presented in more of a life-cycle approach.

5
Real-World Focus: Students learn best when they see how concepts are applied in the real world.
For that reason, real-world examples and articles are included in “Taxes in the Real World”
boxes throughout the book. These vignettes demonstrate current issues in taxation and show
the relevance of tax issues in all areas of business.
vii
®

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McGraw-Hill Connect®
Learn Without Limits
Connect is a teaching and learning platform
that is proven to deliver better results for
students and instructors.
Connect empowers students by continually
adapting to deliver precisely what they
need, when they need it, and how they need
it, so your class time is more engaging and
effective.

73% of instructors who use


Connect require it; instructor Using Connect improves retention
rates by 19.8%, passing rates by
satisfaction increases by 28% when 12.7%, and exam scores by 9.1%.
Connect is required.

Analytics
Connect Insight®
Connect Insight is Connect’s new one-
of-a-kind visual analytics dashboard that
provides at-a-glance information regarding
student performance, which is immediately
actionable. By presenting assignment,
assessment, and topical performance results
together with a time metric that is easily
visible for aggregate or individual results,
Connect Insight gives the user the ability to
take a just-in-time approach to teaching and
learning, which was never before available.
Connect Insight presents data that helps
instructors improve class performance in a
way that is efficient and effective.
Adaptive
THE ADAPTIVE
READING EXPERIENCE
DESIGNED TO TRANSFORM
THE WAY STUDENTS READ

More students earn A’s and


B’s when they use McGraw-Hill
Education Adaptive products.

SmartBook®
Proven to help students improve grades and
study more efficiently, SmartBook contains the
same content within the print book, but actively
tailors that content to the needs of the individual.
SmartBook’s adaptive technology provides precise,
personalized instruction on what the student
should do next, guiding the student to master
and remember key concepts, targeting gaps in
knowledge and offering customized feedback,
and driving the student toward comprehension
and retention of the subject matter. Available on
tablets, SmartBook puts learning at the student’s
fingertips—anywhere, anytime.

Over 8 billion questions have been


answered, making McGraw-Hill
Education products more intelligent,
reliable, and precise.

www.mheducation.com
ONLINE ASSIGNMENTS
Connect helps students learn more effi-
ciently by providing feedback and practice
material when they need it, where they
need it. Connect grades homework auto-
matically and gives immediate feedback
on any questions students may have
missed. The extensive assignable, gradable
end-of-chapter content includes a general
journal application that looks and feels
more like what you would find in a general
ledger software package. Also, select ques-
tions have been redesigned to test students’
knowledge more fully. They now include
tables for students to work through rather than requiring that all calculations be done offline.

End-of-chapter questions in Connect include:


∙ Discussion Questions
∙ Problems
∙ Comprehensive Problems (Available in the Auto-graded Tax Forms!)

Auto-Graded Tax Forms


The auto-graded Tax Forms in Connect provide a much-improved student experience when
­solving the tax-form based problems. The tax form simulation allows students to apply tax con-
cepts by completing the actual tax forms online with automatic feedback and grading for both
students and instructors.

x
Guided Examples
The Guided Examples in Connect provide a narrated, animated, step-by-step walk-through of select
problems similar to those assigned. These short presentations can be turned on or off by instructors
and provide reinforcement when students need it most.

McGraw-Hill Customer Experience Group Contact Information


At McGraw-Hill, we understand that getting the most from new technology can be challenging. That’s
why our services don’t stop after you purchase our products. You can contact our Product Specialists 24
hours a day to get product training online. Or you can search the knowledge bank of Frequently Asked
Questions on our support website. For Customer Support, call 800-331-5094, or visit www.mhhe.com/
support. One of our Technical Support Analysts will be able to assist you in a timely fashion.
TaxACT®
McGraw-Hill’s Taxation can be packaged with tax software from TaxACT, one of the
leading preparation software companies in the market today. The 2017 edition in-
cludes availability of both Individuals and Business Entities software, including the 1040 Forms and
TaxACT Preparer’s Business 3-Pack (with Forms 1065, 1120, and 1120S).
Roger’s CPA
McGraw-Hill Education has partnered with Roger CPA Review, a global leader
in CPA Exam preparation, to provide students a smooth transition from the ac-
counting classroom to successful completion of the CPA Exam. While many aspiring accountants wait until they
have completed their academic studies to begin preparing for the CPA Exam, research shows that those who be-
come familiar with exam content earlier in the process have a stronger chance of successfully passing the CPA
Exam. Accordingly, students using these McGraw-Hill materials will have access to sample CPA Exam Multiple-
Choice questions and Task-based Simulations from Roger CPA Review, with expert-written explanations and solu-
tions. All questions are either directly from the AICPA or are modeled on AICPA questions that appear in the
exam. Task-based Simulations are delivered via the Roger CPA Review platform, which mirrors the look, feel and
functionality of the actual exam. McGraw-Hill Education and Roger CPA Review are dedicated to supporting ev-
ery accounting student along their journey, ultimately helping them achieve career success in the accounting profes-
sion. For more information about the full Roger CPA Review program, exam requirements and exam content, visit
www.rogercpareview.com.
xi
A STORYLINE APPROACH THAT WILL
RESONATE WITH STUDENTS
Each chapter begins with a storyline that
introduces a set of characters facing
Storyline Summary ­specific tax-related situations. This revo-
lutionary approach to teaching tax em-
Taxpayers: Courtney Wilson, age 40,
Courtney’s mother Dorothy “Gram” Weiss,
age 70

Family
description:
Courtney is divorced with a son, Deron,
age 10, and a daughter, Ellen, age 20.
Gram is currently residing with Courtney.
phasizes real people facing real tax
Location: Kansas City, Missouri dilemmas. Students learn to apply practi-
cal tax information to specific business
© Image Source Employment Courtney works as an architect for EWD.
status: Gram is retired.

C and personal situations. As their situations


ourtney has already determined her Filing status: Courtney is head of household. Gram is
single.
taxable income. Now she’s working
Current Courtney and Gram have computed their
on computing her tax liability. She
knows she owes a significant amount of regu-
situation: taxable income. Now they are trying to
determine their tax liability, tax refund
or additional taxes due, and whether they
evolve, the characters are brought further
lar income tax on her employment and busi-
ness activities. However, she’s not sure how to
owe any payment-related penalties.
to life.
compute the tax on the qualified dividends she re-
ceived from General Electric. Courtney is worried during the year to avoid underpayment penalties.
that she may be subject to the alternative minimum She’s planning on filing her tax return and paying
tax this year because she’s heard that an increasing her taxes on time.
number of taxpayers in her income range must pay Gram’s tax situation is much more straight-
the tax. Finally, Courtney knows she owes some self- forward. She needs to determine the regular income tax
employment taxes on her business income. Courtney on her taxable income. Her income is so low she knows
would like to determine whether she is eligible to she need not worry about the alternative minimum tax, “The text provides very useful tools that
claim any tax credits such as the child tax credit for
her two children and education credits because she
and she believes she doesn’t owe any self-employment
tax. Gram didn’t prepay any taxes this year, so she is
students can read and understand, making
paid for a portion of her daughter Ellen’s tuition at concerned that she might be required to pay an under- it easier to break the myth that ‘tax is
the University of Missouri–Kansas City this year. payment penalty. She also expects to file her tax return
Courtney is hoping that she has paid enough in taxes and pay her taxes by the looming due date. hard.’”
to be continued . . .

– Daniel Hoops, Walsh College


Examples
“I absolutely love this textbook. This text-
Examples are the cornerstone of book makes my job of teaching so much
any textbook covering taxation. easier.”
For this reason, McGraw-Hill’s 8-1

Taxation authors took special care – Chuck Pier, Angelo State University
2-4 CHAPTER 2 Tax Compliance, the IRS, and Tax Authorities
to create clear and helpful exam-
spi11838_ch08_000-055.indd 1
The statute of limitations for IRS assessment can be extended in certain circumstances.
1/13/17 8:44 PM

ples that relate to the storyline For example, a six-year statute of limitations applies to IRS assessments if the taxpayer
omits items of gross income that exceed 25 percent of the gross income reported on the tax
of the chapter. Students learn to return. For fraudulent returns, or if the taxpayer fails to file a tax return, the news is under-
standably worse. The statute of limitations remains open indefinitely in these cases.
refer to the facts presented in the
storyline and apply them to other Example 2-1

­scenarios—in this way, they build Bill and Mercedes file their 2013 federal tax return on September 6, 2014, after receiving an auto-
matic extension to file their return by October 15, 2014. In 2017, the IRS selects their 2013 tax return

a greater base of knowledge for audit. When does the statute of limitations end for Bill and Mercedes’s 2013 tax return?
Answer: Assuming the six-year and “unlimited” statute of limitation rules do not apply, the statute

through application. Many exam- of limitations ends on September 6, 2017 (three years after the later of the actual filing date and the
original due date).

ples also include “What if?” sce- What if: When would the statute of limitations end for Bill and Mercedes for their 2013 tax return if the
couple filed the return on March 22, 2014 (before the original due date of April 15, 2014)?

narios that add more complexity Answer: In this scenario the statute of limitations would end on April 15, 2017, because the later of
the actual filing date and the original due date is April 15, 2014.

to the example or explore related


tax concepts. Taxpayers should prepare for the possibility of an audit by retaining all supporting doc-
uments (receipts, cancelled checks, etc.) for a tax return until the statute of limitations ex-
pires. After the statute of limitations expires, taxpayers can discard the majority of supporting
documents but should still keep a copy of the tax return itself, as well as any documents that
may have ongoing significance, such as those establishing the taxpayer’s basis or original
“The case study approach is ex- investment in existing assets like personal residences and long-term investments.

cellent as you follow the taxpayers


LO 2-2 IRS AUDIT SELECTION
through the chapters.” Why me? This is a recurring question in life and definitely a common taxpayer question after
receiving an IRS audit notice. The answer, in general, is that a taxpayer’s return is selected
– Irwin Uhr, Hunter College for audit because the IRS has data suggesting the taxpayer’s tax return has a high probability
of a significant understated tax liability. Budget constraints limit the IRS’s ability to audit a
majority or even a large minority of tax returns. Currently, fewer than 1 percent of all tax
returns are audited. Thus, the IRS must be strategic in selecting returns for audit in an effort
to promote the highest level of voluntary taxpayer compliance and increase tax revenues.
xii Specifically, how does the IRS select tax returns for audit? The IRS uses a number of
computer programs and outside data sources (newspapers, financial statement disclo-
sures, informants, and other public and private sources) to identify tax returns that may
have an understated tax liability. Common computer initiatives include the DIF (Discri-
minant Function) system, the document perfection program, and the information
matching program. The most important of these initiatives is the DIF system. The DIF
system assigns a score to each tax return that represents the probability the tax liability on
THE PEDAGOGY YOUR STUDENTS NEED
TO PUT THE CODE IN CONTEXT CHAPTER 1 An Introduction to Tax 1-3

TAXES IN THE REAL WORLD Republicans vs. Democrats


Taxes in the Real World CHAPTER 1 An Introduction to Tax 1-5
Tax Policy: Republicans versus Democrats Democrats
Taxes in the Real World are short boxes used Oliver Wendell Holmes said “taxes are the price
“At a time of massive income and wealth inequal-
we pay to live in a civilized society.” Both Demo-
ity, we believe the wealthiest Americans and larg-
throughout the book to demonstrate the real-world Example 1-1
crats and Republicans desire the same things: a
est corporations must pay their fair share of
civilized society and a healthy economy. How-
taxes. Democrats will claw back tax breaks for

use of tax concepts. Current articles


Margaret on taxAlabama,
travels to Birmingham, issues,where she rents a hotel room and dines at several restau- ever, neither party can agree on what defines a
companies that ship jobs overseas, eliminate tax
civilized society or which path best leads to a
breaks for big oil and gas companies, and crack
rants. The price she pays for her hotel room and meals includes an additional 2 percent city surcharge
the real-world applicationto fund
of roadway
chapter-specific tax
construction in Birmingham. Is this a tax?
healthy economy. The U.S. national debt is
down on inversions and other methods compa-
$20 trillion dollars and growing, yet the only thing
nies use to dodge their tax responsibilities … We
we might agree on is that something has gone
will then use the revenue raised from fixing the
rules, and short vignettes on popular news about tax
Answer: Yes. The payment is required by a local government and does not directly relate to a specific
benefit that Margaret receives.
wrong. Regardless of which party or candidate
corporate tax code to reinvest in rebuilding
you support, each party’s agenda will affect your
America and ensuring economic growth that will

are some of the issues covered in Taxes in the Real income and taxes in various ways.
lead to millions of good-paying jobs.”
To explore the divide, let’s examine excerpts
“We will ensure those at the top contribute to

World boxes. from each party’s National Platform from our most
Example 1-2
our country’s future by establishing a multimillion-
recent presidential election (2016).
aire surtax to ensure millionaires and billionaires
pay their fair share. In addition, we will shut down
Republicans the “private tax system” for those at the top, im-
“We areand
Margaret’s parents, Bill and Mercedes, recently built a house the party
wereofassessed
a growing economy
$1,000that by their
mediately close egregious loopholes like those
gives everyone a chance in life, an opportunity to enjoyed by hedge fund managers, restore fair
county government to connect to the county sewer system. Is this a tax?
“The Spilker text makes tax easy for students to under-
Answer: No. The assessment was mandatory and it wasmakes
learn, work, and realize the prosperity freedom
paid possible.”
to a local government. However, millionaires
taxation on multimillion dollar estates, and ensure
the can no longer pay a lower rate than

stand. It integrates great real-world examples so


“Government cannot create prosperity, their secretaries. At a time of near-record corpo-
third criterion was not met since the payment directly relates to a specific benefit (sewer service)
though government can limit or destroy it. Pros- rate profits, slow wage growth, and rising costs,
received by the payees. For the same reason, tolls, parkingperity
meteris thefees, and
product annual licensing
of self-discipline, fees we
enterprise, areneed to offer tax relief to middle-class
­students can see how topics will be applied in practice.
also not considered taxes. saving and investment by individuals, but it is not families—not those at the top.”
an end in itself. Prosperity provides the means by
The integration of the tax form and exhibits of the tax “We will offer tax relief to hard working, middle-
which citizens and their families can maintain class families for the cost squeeze they have
their independence from government, raise their faced for years from rising health care, childcare,
forms in the text are outstanding.”
HOW TO CALCULATE A TAX children by their own values, practice their faith,
and build communities of cooperation and mu-
education, andLO 1-3expenses.” https://www
other
.democrats.org/party-platform#preamble
tual respect.”
– Kristen In its simplest
Bigbee, form,Tech
Texas the amount of tax equals the tax base multiplied by the tax rate:
University “Republicans consider the establishment of Conclusion
a pro-growth tax code a moral imperative. Each party fundamentally believes the govern-
More than any other public policy, the way gov- ment should create/maintain cities and states that
Eq. 1-1 Tax = Tax Base × Tax Rate
ernment raises revenue—how much, at what form a civilized society, and that government
should foster a healthy economy. However, they THE KEY FACTS
rates, under what circumstances, from whom,
and for whom—has the greatest impact on our choose very different paths to reach this objec- What Qualifies
The tax base defines what is actually taxed and is usually expressed in monetary
The Key Facts terms, whereas the tax rate determines the level of taxes imposed on the tax base and is
economy’s performance. It powerfully influ-
ences the level of economic growth and job
tive. Democrats want to raise taxes on the
wealthy and createTHE KEYprograms
government FACTS which
as a Tax?
• The general purpose of

The Key Facts pro- usually expressed as a percentage. For example, a sales tax rate of 6 percent on a purchase creation, which translates into the level of op-
portunity for those who would otherwise be left
cost more money, while Republicans wish to
How to government
lower taxes and decrease Calculate asize Taxand
taxes is to fund govern-
ment agencies.
of $30 yields a tax of $1.80 ($1.80 = $30 × .06). • Unlike fines or penalties,
vide quick synopses
behind.” spending. Both •motivesTax =are Taxpure;
basehowever, cur-
× Tax rate
rent and cumulative deficits indicate that current taxes are not meant to
Federal, state, and local jurisdictions use a large variety of tax bases to collect tax. “A strong economy is one key to debt reduc-
tion, but spending restraint is a necessary com-
• The taxtobase
revenue is insufficient meetdefines what
government punish or prevent illegal

of the critical pieces Some common tax bases (and related taxes) include taxable income (federal and state ponent that must be vigorously pursued.” https:// spending. Solving isthese actually taxed will
problems
usuallyandexpressed
andrequire
in
is behavior; however, “sin
taxes” are meant to dis-
income taxes), purchases (sales tax), real estate values (real estate tax), and personal www.gop.com/platform/restoring-the-american- civil discourse, education research/informa-

of information pre- property values (personal property tax).


courage some behaviors.
dream/ tion in order to find realistic, effective
monetary terms. solutions.
• To qualify as a tax, three
• The tax rate determines criteria must be met. The

sented throughout to anDifferent portions of a tax base may be taxed at different rates. A single tax applied
entire base constitutes a flat tax. In the case ofIngraduated summary, taxes affect the
taxes, manybase aspects
the level of taxes imposed
of personal, business, and political decisions.
is divided
payment must be:
• required;
on the
youtaxtobase andinformed
is
each chapter. into a series of monetary amounts, or brackets, and
Developing a solid understanding of taxation should allow
eachin successive
decisions these areas. Thus, bracket Margaretis taxed
can take at comfort
a usually
that
make
her expressed
semester aswilla likely
• imposed by a
government;
different (gradually higher or gradually lower) percentage prove useful rate.to her personally. Who knows? Depending on
CHAPTER 2 Tax Compliance, the IRS, and Tax Authorities 2-7 percentage.
her interest in business, • and not tied directly to
the benefit received by
Calculating some taxes—income taxes for individuals or corporations,
investment, retirement planning, for and example—
the like, she may ultimately • Different decide
portionstoof pursue
a a
Exhibits career inProcess
EXHIBIT 2-2 IRS Appeals/Litigation
can be quite complex. Advocates of flat taxes argue taxation.
that the process should be simpler. But tax base may be taxed
the taxpayer.

at different rates.
Today’s students are visual
as we’ll seelearners,
IRS Exam
throughout the text, most of the difficulty
1a. Agree with proposed
adjustment in calculating proposeda taxadjustment
rests in determin-
1b. Disagree with

ing the tax base, not the tax rate. Indeed, there are only three basic tax rate structures (pro-
and McGraw-Hill’s Taxation delivers
portional, progressive, and regressive),Payand each can be mastered without much
Taxes Due
difficulty.
30-Day Letter

by making appropriate use of charts,


DIFFERENT WAYS TO MEASURE TAX RATES
diagrams, and tabular demonstrations spi11838_ch01_000-029.indd 3 3a. Agree with proposed
adjustment
2a. Request appeals
2b. No

Before we discuss the alternative tax rate structures, let’s first define three different tax Appeals Conference taxpayer

of key material. rates that will be useful in contrasting the different tax rate structures: the marginal, File Suit in U.S. District
3b. Disagree with proposed adjustment
response

File Claim for


average, and effective tax rates. CourtFederal
or U.S. Court of
Claims
5. IRS denies
refund claim
Refund with the IRS
4b. Pay tax
90-Day Letter

The marginal tax rate is the tax rate that applies to the next additional increment of
a taxpayer’s taxable income (or deductions). Specifically,
4a. Do not pay tax;
Petition Tax Court

“A good textbook that uses great Marginal Tax Rate = Tax Court

­examples throughout the chapters to ΔTax* (New Total Tax − Old Total Tax)
Eq. 1-2 =
ΔTaxable Income (New Taxable Income − Old Taxable Income)
give a student an understanding of the IRS Exam: © Royalty-Free/Corbis, Supreme Court: © McGraw-Hill Education/Jill Braaten, photographer, File Claim: © Michael A. Keller/Corbis

*Δ means change in.


tax theory and how it applies to the Claims to interpret and rule differently on the same basic tax issue. Given a choice of
courts, the taxpayer should prefer the court most likely to rule favorably on his or her
particular issues. The courts also differ in other ways. For example, the U.S. District
taxpayers.” “Spilker’s use of examples immediately following the
Court is the only court that provides for a jury trial; the U.S. Tax Court is the only court
that allows tax cases to be heard before the taxpayer pays the disputed liability and the
only court with a small claims division (hearing claims involving disputed liabilities of
concept is a great way to reinforce the concepts.”
$50,000 or less); the U.S. Tax Court judges are tax experts, whereas the U.S. District
– Jennifer Wright, Court and U.S. Court of Federal Claims judges are generalists. The taxpayer should con-
sider each of these factors in choosing a trial court. For example, if the taxpayer feels very

Drexel University – Karen Wisniewski, County College of Morris


confident in her tax return position but does not have sufficient funds to pay the disputed
liability, she will prefer the U.S. Tax Court. If, instead, the taxpayer is litigating a tax re-
turn position that is low on technical merit but high on emotional appeal, a jury trial in
the local U.S. District Court may be the best option.
spi11838_ch01_000-029.indd 5 What happens after the taxpayer’s case is decided in a trial court? The process may 19/01/17 2:11 PM
not be quite finished. After the trial court’s verdict, the losing party has the right to re-
quest one of the 13 U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeals to hear the case. Exhibit 2-3 depicts
the specific appellant courts for each lower-level court. Both the U.S. Tax Court and local
U.S. District Court cases are appealed to the specific U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals based
on the taxpayer’s residence.9 Cases litigated in Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, for example,

9
Decisions rendered by the U.S. Tax Court Small Claims Division cannot be appealed by the taxpayer or the IRS.
xiii

spi11838_ch02_000-035.indd 7 01/11/17 9:25 PM


the appeals officer may consider the hazards of litigation. Accordingly, Bill and Mercedes
have a good likelihood of a favorable resolution at the appeals conference.
In this chapter we discussed several of the fundamentals of tax practice and proce-
dure: taxpayer filing requirements, the statute of limitations, the IRS audit process, the
primary tax authorities, tax research, tax professional standards, and taxpayer and tax
practitioner penalties. For the tax accountant, these fundamentals form the basis for much
of her work. Likewise, tax research forms the basis of much of a tax professional’s com-
pliance and planning services. Even for the accountant who doesn’t specialize in tax ac-

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT WITH A


counting, gaining a basic understanding of tax practice and procedure is important.
Assisting clients with the IRS audit process is a valued service that accountants provide,
and clients expect all accountants to understand basic tax procedure issues and how to
research basic tax issues.

Summary Summary
LO 2-1 Identify the filing requirements for income tax returns and the statute of limitations for A unique feature of McGraw-Hill’s
assessment.
• All corporations must file a tax return annually regardless of their taxable income. Estates Taxation is the end-of-chapter sum-
and trusts are required to file annual income tax returns if their gross income exceeds
$600. The filing requirements for individual taxpayers depend on the taxpayer’s filing mary organized around learning
status, age, and gross income.
• Individual and C corporation tax returns (except for C corporations with a June 30 year-end) ­objectives. Each objective has a
are due on the fifteenth day of the fourth month following year-end. For C corporations
with a June 30 year-end, partnerships and S corporations, tax returns must be filed by the brief, bullet-point summary that
covers the major topics and con-
fifteenth day of the third month following the entity’s fiscal year-end. Any taxpayer unable
to file a tax return by the original due date can request an extension to file.

cepts for that chapter, including


• For both amended tax returns filed by a taxpayer and proposed tax assessments by the
2-30 CHAPTER 2 IRS,the
Tax Compliance, theIRS,
statute of limitations
and generally ends three years from the later of (1) the date the
Tax Authorities
chapter
Tax Compliance,
tax return was actually filed or (2) the tax return’s original due date.
­references to critical exhibits and
KEY TERMS
LO 2-2
2
happens after the audit. the IRS, and Tax
Outline the IRS audit process, how returns are selected, the different types of audits, and what
examples. All end-of-chapter mate-
30-day letter (2-6)
Authorities
• The IRS uses a number of computer programs and outside data sources to identify tax
returns that may have an understated tax liability. Common computer initiatives include the
information matching program (2-4) Statements on Standards for rial
Taxis tied to learning objectives.
DIF (Discriminant Function) system, the document perfection program, and the information
90-day letter (2-6) matching Internal
program.Revenue Code of 1986 (2-11) Services (SSTS) (2-23)
• The three types of IRS audits consist of correspondence, office,statute of limitations (2-3)
and field examinations.
acquiescence (2-17) interpretative regulations (2-16)
• After the audit, the IRS will send the taxpayer a 30-day letter, which provides the taxpayer
action on decision (2-17) legislative
the opportunity to pay regulations
the proposed(2-16) assessment or request an substantial authority (2-24)
appeals conference.
annotated tax service (2-18) If an agreement is not reached at appeals or the taxpayer does
nonacquiescence (2-17) taxnottreaties (2-14)
pay the proposed
Learning Objectives
Circular 230 (2-24) office examination (2-6) technical advice memorandum “You can tell the authors of this text-
(2-16)
citator (2-21) Upon completing this chapter, you should be able to:
primary authorities (2-9) temporary regulations (2-15)
book are still in the classroom and
civil penalties (2-26) LO 2-1 private
Identify theletter rulings
filing requirements (2-16)
for income tax returns and the statute topical
of limitationstax
for service (2-19)

correspondence examination (2-5)


assessment.
procedural regulations (2-16) U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeals ­responsible
(2-7) for the day-to-day
U.S. Constitution (2-11) ­education of accounting students.
LO 2-2 Outline the IRS audit process, how returns are selected, the different types of audits, and
criminal penalties (2-26)
spi11838_ch02_000-035.indd 28
proposed regulations
what happens after the audit. (2-15) 01/11/17 2:51 PM
determination letters (2-16) LO 2-3 question of fact
Evaluate the relative (2-19)
weights of the various tax law sources. U.S. Court of Federal Claims ­Examples
(2-6) are representative of the
DIF (Discriminant Function) question of law (2-19) U.S. District Court (2-6)
LO 2-4 Describe the legislative process as it pertains to taxation.
end-of-chapter problems, and the
system (2-4) LO 2-5 regulations (2-15)
Perform the basic steps U.S.when
in tax research and evaluate various tax law sources Supreme
faced Court (2-8)
document perfection program (2-4) with ambiguous statutes.
revenue procedures (2-16) U.S. Tax Court (2-6) end-of-chapter summary is an excellent
field examination (2-6) LO 2-6 Describe tax professional responsibilities in providing tax advice.
revenue rulings (2-16) writ of certiorari (2-8) study tool.”
LO 2-7 Identify taxpayer and tax professional penalties.
final regulations (2-15) secondary authorities (2-9)
Golsen rule (2-15) stare decisis (2-15)
– Debra Petrizzo, Franklin University

Discussion
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS Questions
Discussion Questions are available in Connect®. Discussion questions,
LO 2-1 1. Name three factors that determine whether a taxpayer is required to file a tax
spi11838_ch02_000-035.indd 1 01/11/17 2:50 PM
now available in Con-
return. nect, are provided for
2. Benita is concerned that she will not be able to complete her tax return by April 15.
LO 2-1
Can she request an extension to file her return? By what date must she do so? each of the major con-
Assuming she requests an extension, what is the latest date that she could file cepts in each chapter,
her return this year without penalty?
providing students
LO 2-1 3. Agua Linda Inc. is a calendar-year corporation. What is the original due date for
the corporate tax return? What happens if the original due date falls on a with an opportunity
Saturday? to review key parts of
4. Approximately what percentage of tax returns does the IRS audit? What are the
LO 2-2
implications of this number for the IRS’s strategy in selecting returns for audit?
the chapter and answer
“This 5. Explain
LO 2-2 is a very the difference
readable between the
text. Students willDIF system and the
understand National
it on theirResearch
own, Program. evocative questions
How do they relate to each other?
generally, freeing more class time for application, practice, and student about what they have
6. Describe the differences between the three types of audits in terms of their scope
LO 2-2
questions.” and taxpayer type. learned.
LO 2-2 7. Simon just received a 30-day letter from the IRS indicating a proposed assessment.
Does he have to pay the additional tax? What are his – Valrie Chambers,
options?
LO 2-2 8. Compare and contrast the Texas
three A&M
trial-level University–Corpus
courts. Christi
LO 2-3 9. Compare and contrast the three types of tax law sources and give examples of
each.
LO 2-3 10. The U.S. Constitution is the highest tax authority but provides very little in the
way of tax laws. What are the next highest tax authorities beneath the U.S.
Constitution?
LO 2-3 11. Jackie has just opened her copy of the Code for the first time. She looks at the
xiv table of contents and wonders why it is organized the way it is. She questions
whether it makes sense to try and understand the Code’s organization. What are
b) As a salesperson, Alyssa incurred $2,000 in travel expenses related to her
employment that were not reimbursed by her employer.
2-32 CHAPTER 2 Tax Compliance, the IRS, and Tax Authorities
c) The Johnsons own a piece of raw land held as an investment. They paid $500 of
real property taxes on the property and they incurred $200 of expenses in travel
LO 2-6 37.costs
Levitoissee recommending
the property and a taxto return
evaluate position to his client.
other similar potential What standard must he
investment
meet to satisfy his professional standards? What is the source of this professional
properties.
standard?
d) The Johnsons own a rental home. They incurred $8,500 of expenses associated
LO 2-6 38.withWhat theisproperty.
Circular 230?
LO 2-7 39.
e) TheWhat are the home
Johnsons’ basic differences
was only five between
miles from civil theandOffice
criminal Depottax store
penalties?
where

WIDE VARIETY OF ASSIGNMENT MATERIAL LO 2-7


LO 2-7

LO 2-7
40.Alyssa
What worked
home,
are some
so the
inof
Johnsons
January
the most andcommon
decided
February.civil
to move
Thepenalties
to
41. What are the taxpayer’s standards to avoid the substantial understatement
The
make
Johnsons’ new home was only 10 miles from the ST store. However, their
penalty?
new home was 50 miles from their former residence. The Johnsons paid a mov-
ST store imposed

42. What are the tax practitioner’s standards to avoid a penalty for recommending a tax
the
was 60 miles
commute easier
from their
on taxpayers?
for Alyssa.
of tax

ing company $2,002 to move their possessions to the new location. They also
return position?
drove the 50 miles to their new residence. They stopped along the way for
lunch and spent $60 eating at Denny’s. None of the moving expenses were
Problems Problems are designed 2-34 CHAPTER 2 Tax Compliance, reimbursed
the IRS, and Tax
PROBLEMS byAuthorities
ST.
f) Jeremy paid $4,500 for health insurance coverage for himself (not through an
to test the comprehension of more LO 2-5 66. Georgette
Select
researchJeremy
has identified
exchange).
problems
question.
Alyssa
is not What
are was
eligible
a 1983
available
must
covered
for the
court bycase
in Connect
she plan
health
do tountil
that
. appears
® plans
determine
next year.
providedto answer
by her her employer, but
if the case still represents
complex topics. Each problem at the LO 2-5
43.
LO 2-1 “current”
67. Sandyportion
Ahmed
g) Jeremy law? paid
thatdetermined
has heofcan
does not have
$2,500
therequest thatan
self-employment
enough cash ontaxes
in self-employment
herextension
research to
taxes).
hand($1,250
to pay his
file his depends
question tax return.
taxes. He
represents
Does
upon thethis
thewas excited to hear
employer
solve his problem?
interpretation
end of the chapter is tied to one of that of the What are
phrase “not the ramifications
compensated by ifinsurance.”
he doesn’t pay
h) Jeremy paid $5,000 in alimony and $3,000 in child support from his prior
44.marriage.
LO 2-1 is this?
What histype
tax of
Molto Stancha Corporation had zero earnings this fiscal year; in fact, it lost money.
liability
research by April
question 15?

chapter’s learning objectives, with LO 2-5 68. J. C.i) has


LO 2-1 believes
45.The
Must
beenpaid
Alyssa the
theJohnsons
The
corporation
a professional
$3,100 of tuition
incomeofwould
estate isMonique
tax-free.
file
gambler
like to
a
Chablis
tax return?
andforfees
deductearned
many
as much
years.night
to attend
$450
He loves
classes
of income
of this
thisatline
expenditure
of work
a local
this year.
and
university.
Is the rather
as possible estate
research
multiple problems for critical topics. LO 2-1
a) Usethan
46.
j) The
required
an
correct.
claim to
available
Jamarcus,
Johnsons
file
tax an
a credit.
Is the answera full-time
donated
income
research
to this
tax return?
service
question
student,
$2,000
to determine whether J. C.’s thinking is
found
to earned
their in thecharity.
$2,500
favorite Internal
this yearRevenue
from a summer Code? Ifjob. He had
not, what
no other typeincome
of authoritythis year answers
and will this question?
have zero federal income tax liability this year.
70. Shauna Coleman is single. She is employed as an architectural designer for Stream-
Tax Forms Problems Tax forms tax forms
LO 2-5
b)
69. Katie
Write His
a
recently
correctly
employer
memo
calculated
withheld $300
communicating
a ceramic AGI.
the of federal
results
a tax return?
dalmatian
However, valued
of income
your
line Design (SD). Shauna wanted to determine her taxable income for this year. She
Jamarcus wonrequired her to file Should
at $800
she wasn’t
tax from his summer pay. Is
research.
Jamarcus
sureonhow to file
a television a tax
compute game return?
the rest of
problems are a set of requirements research
LO 2-1 show.47.
herShe
on the
Shane
taxable
gambler.
show.
has
questions never
income.
When
whether
Shefiled
does
a tax
this
provided
the
could use it to determine her taxable income.
return
prize
statute of
despitesince
theisfollowing
taxable
limitations
earning
information excessive
it was
expire
awith
for
“gift”
the
sums
she won
hopes
years
of money
that
in
you as a
which Shane
hasavailable
not paid
filedtax a tax return?
included in the end-of-chapter material a) Use
a) an
LO 2-1 b) Write
Shauna
48. Shauna’s
Latoya
a letterfiled
$4,680
boyfriend,
to Katie
research
her tax Blake,
communicating
serviceexpenses
for medical
returndrove
to answer
on February
Shauna
the results
forKatie’s
10
care from
(in this
her
question.
a broken ankle. Also,
year.aresearch.
car)
of your When
total ofwill 115themilesstatute
to theof limita-
tions expire forsothis tax return?
of the 2018 edition. These problems
doctor’s
70. Pierre recently office
received ashe
taxcouldpenalty receive care for
for failing to her
file broken ankle.He was upset
a tax return.
LO 2-5
49. Using
b) Shauna
LO 2-1 to receive the penalty, but he was comforted by the thought that he will get a tax (notif
the
paidfacts
a from
total of the previous
$3,400 in problem,
health insurance how would
premiums your answer
during the change
year
through
Latoya an exchange).
understated her SDincome
did notby reimburse
40 percent? any Howof thiswould
expense. yourBesides
answerthe change if
require students to complete a tax form
research deduction for paying the penalty.
a) Use an Latoya
availableintentionally
tax research failed to report
service as taxableif income
to determine Pierre isany cash payments she
correct.
received from her clients?
(or part of a tax form), providing students with valuable experience and practice with filling out these
LO 2-2
b) Write a memo communicating the results of your research.
50. Paula could not reach an agreement with the IRS at her appeals conference and has
71. Paris was
LO 2-5
justhappy
received to provide
a 90-day a contribution
letter. If she wants to her to friend
litigateNicole’s
the issue campaign
but doesfor not have
forms. These requirements—and their relevant forms—are also included in Connect. Each tax form
research
mayor, sufficient
deductible.
especiallycash aftertoshe paylearned that charitable
the proposed deficiency, contributions
what is herare besttaxcourt choice?
51. In choosing a trial-level court, how should a court’s previous rulings influence the
problem includes an icon to differentiate it from regular problems.
LO 2-2
a) Use an available
choice? Howtax service
should to determine
circuit court rulings whether Paris can
influence thededuct
taxpayer’s this choice of a trial-
spi11838_ch06_000-055.indd 52 contribution. 1/13/17 5:06 PM
level court?
b) Write a memo
52. Sophia communicating
recently won a taxthe case results
litigatedof your
in the research.
7th Circuit. She recently heard
Research Problems Research
LO 2-2
LO 2-5 72. Matt and Lori
that therecently
Supreme wereCourt divorced.
deniedAlthough
the writ of grief stricken,Should
certiorari. Matt was sheatbeleast
happy or not,
partiallyand comforted
why? by his monthly receipt of $10,000 alimony. He was particularly
problems are special problems research
LO 2-2
excited to learn from his friend, Denzel, that the alimony was not taxable. Use an
53. Campbell’s tax return was audited because she failed to report interest she earned
available tax service to determine if Denzel is correct. Would your answer change
on her tax return. What IRS audit selection method identified her tax return?
throughout the end-of-chapter LO 2-5
LO 2-2
if Matt and Lori continued to live together?
54. Yong’s tax return was audited because he calculated his tax liability incorrectly.
73. Shaun is a huge college football fan. In the past, he has always bought football
What IRS audit procedure identified his tax return for audit?
assignment material. These tickets on the street from ticket scalpers. This year, he decided to join the univer-
research LO 2-2 sity’s 55.ticket
Randy deducted
program, whicha high level of
requires itemized
a $2,000 deductionstotwo
contribution the years
universityago relative to his
incometo level. He recently
tickets. received an then
IRS notice requesting documentation for
require students to do both basic for the “right”
his itemizedthat
Shaun understands
for audit?
purchase
deductions.
the price What
Shaun will
paid for audit
theprocedure
pay $400
season tickets likely
per season
is identified
ticket.
his tax return
not tax deductible
as a charitable contribution. However, contributions to a university are typically
and more complex research on topics outside of the scope of the book. Each research problem includes
tax deductible.
a) Use an available tax service to determine how much, if any, of Shaun’s $2,000
an icon to differentiate it from regular problems. contribution for the right to purchase tickets is tax deductible.
b) Write a letter to Shaun communicating the results of your research.
LO 2-5 74. Latrell recently used his Delta Skymiles to purchase a free round-trip ticket to
Milan, Italy (value $1,200). The frequent flyer miles used to purchase the ticket
“The textbook is comprehensive, uses an integrated approach to taxation, contains clear illustrations
research
spi11838_ch02_000-035.indd 32
were generated from Latrell’s business travel as a CPA. Latrell’s employer paid for
01/11/17 2:51 PM
his business trips, and he was not taxed on the travel reimbursement.
and examples in each chapter, and has a wealth of end-of-chapter assignment material.”
4-40 CHAPTER 4 Individual Income Tax Overview, Exemptions, and Filing Status
a) Use an available tax research service to determine how much income, if any,
Latrell will have to recognize as a result of purchasing an airline ticket with
a separate tax return. In year 4, the couple divorced. Both Jasper and Crewella filed sin-
Skymiles
b) Write anda each
memo
– James P. Trebby, Marquette University
earned from business travel.
gle tax returns in year 4. In year 5, the IRS audited the couple’s joint year 2 tax return
communicating
spouse’s separate yearthe results
3 tax returns.of The
yourIRS research.
determined that the year 2 joint
return and Crewella’s separate year 3 tax
CHAPTER 2 return understatedthe
Tax Compliance, Crewella’s self-employ-
IRS, and Tax Authorities 2-33
ment income, causing the joint return year 2 tax liability to be understated by $4,000
Planning Problems Planning problems 56. and Crewella’s
Jackie has a corporate client
also assessed
with a $100,000 tax assessment.
year 3 separate
that has recently
Herpenalties
client is and
received return tax liability
a 30-day
interest on
considering
notice to
both of these
requesting
frombe understated
the IRS by
LO$6,000.
2-2 The IRS
tax returns. Try as it might, the IRS
an appeals planning
are another unique set of problems conference to contest the hasassessment.
not been able
a) What
to consider before requesting anamount
to locate
What
appealsof
factors Crewella, but theyadvise
should Jackie have been able to find Jasper.
her client
tax can the IRS require Jasper to pay for the Dahvill’s year 2
conference?
joint
anreturn?
audit ofExplain.
included in the end-of-chapter
57. The IRS recently completed Shea’s tax return and assessed $15,000 ad- LO 2-2

spi11838_ch02_000-035.indd 34
ditional tax. Shea requestedb) What amountconference
an appeals of tax can the butIRS
was require
unable Jasper
to settletothe paycase
for Crewella’s year 3
planning 01/11/17 2:51 PM
separate tax return?
at the conference. She is contemplating whichExplain.
trial court to choose to hear her case.
assignment material. These require Provide aLOrecommendation
4-3 51. Janice
a) Shea resides in the 2nd
based on the
Traylor
onlyCircuit,
child. Marty
and the
following
is single.
has2nd
She alternative
lived with has
Circuit Janice
facts: son named Marty. Marty is Janice’s
has an 18-year-old
his entire
recently ruledlife. However,
against the Marty recently

students to test their tax planning skills research


position joined the Marines and was sent on a special assignment to Australia. During the
Shea is litigating.
b) The Federal Circuit current
Court ofyear, Martyhas
Appeals spent nine months
recently ruled ininfavor Australia.
of Shea’s Marty was extremely homesick
while in Australia, since he had never lived away from home. However, Marty knew
after covering the chapter topics. Each planning problem includes an icon to differentiate it from
position.
c) The issue being litigatedthis assignment was onlyof
involves a question temporary,
fact. Sheaand hashe couldn’t
a very wait to come home and find his
appealing
story to tell but littleroom just the
favorable casewaylawhetoleft it. Janice
support her has always filed as head of household, and Marty
position.
regular problems. has always been considered a qualifying child (and he continues to meet all the tests
d) The issue being litigated is highly technical, and Shea believes strongly in her
with the possible exception of the residence test due to his stay in Australia). How-
interpretation of the law.
ever, this year Janice is unsure whether she qualifies as head of household due to
e) Shea is a local elected official and wouldabsenceprefer toduring
minimize any Janice
local publicity
Comprehensive and tax return problems address
Marty’s nine-month the year. has come to you for advice on
Comprehensive and Tax Return Problems 58.
regarding the case. whether she qualifies for head of household filing status. What do you tell her?
Juanita, aLOTexas resident (5th Jones
Circuit), is researching a tax
52. Doug submitted his 2017 taxquestion
return on andtimefindsanda elected toLOfile2-3
a joint tax
multiple concepts in a single problem. Comprehensive problems are ideal for cumulative topics; for
4-3
5th Circuit case ruling return
that is favorable and aDarlene.
with his wife, 9th Circuit Dougcaseand thatDarlene
is unfavorable.
did not request an extension for
Whichresearch
circuit case has their
more2017“authoritative
tax return. weight”
Doug and and why?
Darlene How owedwould andyourpaid the IRS $124,000 for

this reason, they are located at the end of all chapters. In the end-of-book Appendix C, we include tax
answer change if Juanita were
their a Kentucky
2017 tax year.resident
Two years (6thlater,
Circuit)?Doug amended his return and claimed mar-
59. Faith, a resident of Floridaried (11th
filingCircuit)
separaterecently
status. found a circuithis
By changing court case
filing that isDoug sought
status, LO 2-3 a refund
favorable to her research question. Which two circuits
for an overpayment for the tax year 2017 would she prefer
(he paid to have
more tax in the original joint
return problems that cover multiple chapters. Additional
60.
tax return problems are also available in
issued the opinion? return than he owed on a separate return). Is Doug allowed to change his filing
Robert has found a “favorable”
status forauthority
the 2017directly
tax year onand
point for hisa tax
receive taxquestion.
refund with If the
his amended
LO 2-3 return?

the Connect Library. These problems authority is a court case, which court would he prefer to have issued the opinion?
Which court would he least prefer to have issued the opinion?
Jamareo has foundCOMPREHENSIVE PROBLEMS
range from simple to complex and 61. a “favorable” authority directly
the authority is an administrative authority, which specific type
Select problems are available
he prefer to answer his question? Which administrative
on point for his tax question. If
in Connect ®
authority.
of authority would
would he least
LO 2-3

cover individual taxation, corporate 62.


prefer to answer his53.
For each
tax of
forms
question?
the following
Marc and Michelle are married and earned salaries this year of $64,000 and
citations,
$12,000, identify the
respectively. In type of authority
addition (statutory,
to their salaries, admin-
they received interest
LO 2-3 of $350

taxation, partnership taxation, and istrative, or judicial) and explain


from the citation.
municipal bonds and $500 from corporate bonds. Marc and Michelle also paid
a) Reg. Sec. 1.111-1(b)$2,500 of qualifying moving expenses, and Marc paid alimony to a prior spouse in

S corporation taxation. b) IRC Sec. 469(c)(7)(B)(i) the amount of $1,500. Marc and Michelle have a 10-year-old son, Matthew, who
lived with them throughout the entire year. Thus, Marc and Michelle are allowed to
c) Rev. Rul. 82-204, 1982-2 C.B. 192
claim a $1,000 child tax credit for Matthew. Marc and Michelle paid $6,000 of ex-
d) Amdahl Corp., 108 TC 507 (1997)
penditures that qualify as itemized deductions and they had a total of $5,500 in fed-
e) PLR 9727004 eral income taxes withheld from their paychecks during the course of the year.
f) Hills v. Comm., 50 AFTR2da) What 82-6070
is Marc and (11th Cir., 1982)
Michelle’s gross income?
63. For each of the following citations,
b) What identify
is Marc and the type of adjusted
Michelle’s authoritygross (statutory,
income? admin- LO 2-3
istrative, or judicial) and explain the citation.
c) What is the total amount of Marc and Michelle’s deductions from AGI? xv
a) IRC Sec. 280A(c)(5)d) What is Marc and Michelle’s taxable income?
b) Rev. Proc. 2004-34, e) 2004-1
WhatC.B.
is Marc911and Michelle’s taxes payable or refund due for the year? (Use the
c) Lakewood Associates, RIA TC schedules.)
tax rate Memo 95-3566
d) TAM 200427004 f) Complete the first two pages of Marc and Michelle’s Form 1040 (use 2016 forms
e) U.S. v. Muncy, 2008-2 if USTC
2017par.forms50,449 (E.D., AR, 2008)
are unavailable).
64. Justine would like to clarify her understanding of a code section recently enacted by LO 2-4
Congress. What tax law sources are available to assist Justine?
Four Volumes to Fit

McGraw-Hill’s Taxation of Individuals is organized to empha- McGraw-Hill’s Taxation of Business Entities begins with the
size topics that are most important to undergraduates taking their process for determining gross income and deductions for
first tax course. The first three chapters provide an introduction ­businesses, and the tax consequences associated with purchasing
to taxation and then carefully guide students through tax re- assets and property dispositions (sales, trades, or other disposi-
search and tax planning. Part II discusses the fundamental ele- tions). Part II provides a comprehensive overview of entities and
ments of individual income tax, starting with the tax formula the formation, reorganization, and liquidation of corporations.
in Chapter 4 and then proceeding to more discussion on income, Unique to this series is a complete chapter on accounting for in-
deductions, investments, and computing tax liabilities in come taxes, which provides a primer on the basics of calculating
­Chapters 5–8. Part III then discusses tax issues associated with the income tax provision. Included in the narrative is a discus-
business-related activities. Specifically, this part addresses busi- sion of temporary and permanent differences and their impact on
ness income and deductions, accounting methods, and tax conse- a company’s book “effective tax rate.” Part III provides a de-
quences associated with purchasing assets and property disposi- tailed discussion of partnerships and S corporations. The last
tions (sales, trades, or other dispositions). Part IV is unique part of the book covers state and local taxation, multinational
among tax textbooks; this section combines related tax issues for taxation, and transfer taxes and wealth planning.
compensation, retirement savings, and home ownership. Part I: Business-Related Transactions
Part I: Introduction to Taxation 1. Business Income, Deductions, and Accounting Methods
1. An Introduction to Tax 2. Property Acquisition and Cost Recovery
2. Tax Compliance, the IRS, and Tax Authorities 3. Property Dispositions
3. Tax Planning Strategies and Related Limitations Part II: Entity Overview and Taxation of C Corporations
Part II: Basic Individual Taxation 4. Entities Overview
4. Individual Income Tax Overview, Exemptions and Filing 5. Corporate Operations
Status 6. Accounting for Income Taxes
5. Gross Income and Exclusions 7. Corporate Taxation: Nonliquidating Distributions
6. Individual Deductions 8. Corporate Formation, Reorganization, and Liquidation
7. Investments Part III: Taxation of Flow-Through Entities
8. Individual Income Tax Computation and Tax Credits 9. Forming and Operating Partnerships
Part III: Business-Related Transactions 10. Dispositions of Partnership Interests and Partnership
9. Business Income, Deductions, and Accounting Methods Distributions
10. Property Acquisition and Cost Recovery 11. S Corporations
11. Property Dispositions Part IV: Multijurisdictional Taxation and Transfer Taxes
Part IV: Specialized Topics 12. State and Local Taxes
12. Compensation 13. The U.S. Taxation of Multinational Transactions
13. Retirement Savings and Deferred Compensation 14. Transfer Taxes and Wealth Planning
14. Tax Consequences of Home Ownership

xvi
Four Course Approaches

McGraw-Hill’s Essentials of Federal Taxation is designed for a


one-semester course, covering the basics of taxation of individu-
als and business entities. To facilitate a one-semester course,
McGraw-Hill’s Essentials of Federal Taxation folds the key top-
ics from the investments, compensation, retirement savings, and
home ownership chapters in Taxation of Individuals into three
McGraw-Hill’s Taxation of Individuals and Busi- individual taxation chapters that discuss gross income and
ness Entities covers all chapters included in the ­exclusions, for AGI deductions, and from AGI deductions,
two split volumes in one convenient volume. ­respectively. The essentials volume also includes a two-chapter
See Table of Contents. C corporation sequence that uses a life-cycle approach covering
corporate formations and then corporate operations in the first
chapter and nonliquidating and liquidating corporate distribu-
tions in the second chapter. This volume is perfect for those
teaching a one-semester course and for those who struggle to get
through the 25-chapter comprehensive volume.
Part I: Introduction to Taxation
1. An Introduction to Tax
2. Tax Compliance, the IRS, and Tax Authorities
3. Tax Planning Strategies and Related Limitations
Part II: Individual Taxation
4. Individual Income Tax Overview, Exemptions, and Filing
Status
5. Gross Income and Exclusions
6. Individual For AGI Deductions
7. Individual From AGI Deductions
8. Individual Income Tax Computation and Tax Credits
Part III: Business-Related Transactions
9. Business Income, Deductions, and Accounting Methods
10. Property Acquisition and Cost Recovery
11. Property Dispositions
Part IV: Entity Overview and Taxation of C Corporations
12. Entities Overview
13. Corporate Formations and Operations
14. Corporate Nonliquidating and Liquidating Distributions
Part V: Taxation of Flow-Through Entities
15. Forming and Operating Partnerships
16. 
D ispositions of Partnership Interests and Partnership
Distributions
17. S Corporations

xvii
SUPPLEMENTS FOR INSTRUCTORS
Assurance of Learning Ready The statements contained in McGraw-
Many educational institutions today are focused Hill’s Taxation are provided only as a guide
on the notion of assurance of learning, an im- for the users of this textbook. The AACSB
portant element of many accreditation stan- leaves content coverage and assessment
dards. McGraw-Hill’s Taxation is designed within the purview of individual schools, the
specifically to support your assurance of learn- mission of the school, and the faculty. While
ing initiatives with a simple, yet powerful, McGraw-Hill’s Taxation and the teaching
solution. package make no claim of any specific
Each chapter in the book begins with a list AACSB qualification or evaluation, we have,
of numbered learning objectives, which appear within the text and test bank, labeled selected
throughout the chapter as well as in the end-of- questions according to the eight general
chapter assignments. Every test bank question knowledge and skill areas.
for McGraw-Hill’s Taxation maps to a specific
chapter learning objective in the textbook. Each TestGen
test bank question also identifies topic area, TestGen is a complete, state-of-the-art test gen-
level of difficulty, Bloom’s Taxonomy level, erator and editing application software that al-
and AICPA and AACSB skill area. lows instructors to quickly and easily select test
items from McGraw Hill’s TestGen testbank
AACSB Statement content and to organize, edit, and customize the
McGraw-Hill Education is a proud corporate questions and answers to rapidly generate pa-
member of AACSB International. Understand- per tests. Questions can include stylized text,
ing the importance and value of AACSB ac- symbols, graphics, and equations that are in-
creditation, McGraw-Hill’s Taxation recognizes serted directly into questions using built-in
the curricula guidelines detailed in the AACSB mathematical templates. With both quick-and-
standards for business accreditation by connect- simple test creation and flexible and robust ed-
ing selected questions in the text and the test iting tools, TestGen is a test generator system
bank to the general knowledge and skill guide- for today’s educators.
lines in the revised AACSB standards.

A HEARTFELT THANKS TO THE MANY COLLEAGUES WHO SHAPED THIS BOOK


The version of the book you are reading would not be the same book without the valuable suggestions, keen insights,
and constructive criticisms of the list of reviewers below. Each professor listed here contributed in substantive ways
to the organization of chapters, coverage of topics, and the use of pedagogy. We are grateful to them for taking the
time to read chapters or attend reviewer conferences, focus groups, and symposia in support of the development for
the book:
Previous Edition Reviewers Cynthia Bird, Tidewater Community College
Donna Abelli, Mount Ida College Lisa Blum, University of Louisville
Joseph Assalone, Rowan College at Gloucester County Rick Blumenfeld, Sierra College
Valeriya Avdeev, William Paterson University Cindy Bortman Boggess, Babson College
Robyn Barrett, St. Louis Community College Cathalene Bowler, University of Northern Iowa
Kevin Baugess, ICDC College Justin Breidenbach, Ohio Wesleyan University
Christopher Becker, Coastal Carolina University Suzon Bridges, Houston Community College
Jeanne Bedell, Keiser University Stephen Bukowy, UNC Pembroke
Marcia Behrens, Nichols College Esther Bunn, Stephen F. Austin State University
Michael Belleman, St. Clair County Community College Holly Caldwell, Bridgewater College
David Berman, Community College of Philadelphia James Campbell, Thomas College
Tim Biggart, Berry College Alisa Carini, UCSD Extension

xviii
Ronald Carter, Patrick Henry Community College Kerry Inger, Auburn University
Cynthia Caruso, Endicott College Paul Johnson, MGCCC–JD Campus
Paul Caselton, University of Illinois Springfield Athena Jones, University of Maryland University College
Christine Cheng, Louisiana State University Andrew Junikiewicz, Temple University
Amy Chataginer, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Susan Jurney, University of Arkansas Fayetteville
Machiavelli Chao, University of California, Irvine Sandra Kemper, Regis University
Max Chao, University of California, Irvine Jon Kerr, Baruch College–CUNY
Lisa Church, Rhode Island College Lara Kessler, Grand Valley State University
Marilyn Ciolino, Delgado Community College Janice Klimek, University of Central Missouri
Wayne Clark, Southwest Baptist University Pamela Knight, Columbus Technical College
Ann Cohen, University at Buffalo, SUNY Satoshi Kojima, East Los Angeles College
Sharon Cox, University of Illinois–Urbana-Champaign Dawn Konicek, Idaho State University
Terry Crain, University of Oklahoma–Norman Jack Lachman, Brooklyn College
Roger Crane, Indiana University East Brandon Lanciloti, Freed-Hardeman University
Brad Cripe, Northern Illinois University Stacie Laplante, University of Wisconsin–Madison
Richard Cummings, University of Wisconsin–Whitewater Suzanne Laudadio, Durham Tech
Joshua Cutler, University of Houston Stephanie Lewis, Ohio State University–Columbus
William Dams, Lenoir Community College Troy Lewis, Brigham Young University
Nichole Dauenhauer, Lakeland Community College Teresa Lightner, University of North Texas
Susan Snow Davis, Green River College Robert Lin, California State University–East Bay
Jim Desimpelare, University of Michigan–Ann Arbor Chris Loiselle, Cornerstone University
Julie Dilling, Moraine Park Technical College Bruce Lubich, Penn State–Harrisburg
Steve Dombrock, Carroll University Michael Malmfeldt, Shenandoah University
John Dorocak, California State University–San Berdinado Kate Mantzke, Northern Illinois University
Amy Dunbar, University of Connecticut–Storrs Robert Martin, Kennesaw State University
John Eagan, Morehouse College Anthony Masino, East Tennessee State University
Reed Easton, Seton Hall University Paul Mason, Baylor University
Elizabeth Ekmekjian, William Paterson University Lisa McKinney, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Ann Esarco, Columbia College Columbia Lois McWhorter, Somerset Community College
Frank Faber, St. Joseph’s College Allison McLeod, University of North Texas
Michael Fagan, Raritan Valley Community College Janet Meade, University of Houston
Frank Farina, Catawba College Michele Meckfessel, University of Missouri–St. Louis
Andrew Finley, Claremont McKenna Frank Messina, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Tim Fogarty, Case Western Reserve University R Miedaner, Lee University
Mimi Ford, Middle Georgia State University Ken Milani, University of Notre Dame
Wilhelmina Ford, Middle Georgia State University Karen Morris, Northeast Iowa Community College
George Frankel, SFSU Stephanie Morris, Mercer University
Lawrence Friedken, Penn State University Michelle Moshier, University at Albany
Stephen Gara, Drake University Leslie Mostow, University of Maryland, College Park
Robert Gary, University of New Mexico James Motter, IUPUI Indianapolis
Greg Geisler, University of Missouri–St. Louis Jackie Myers, Sinclair Community College
Earl Godfrey, Gardner Webb University Michael Nee, Cape Cod Community College
Thomas Godwin, Purdue University Liz Ott, Casper College
David Golub, Northeastern University Edwin Pagan, Passaic County Community College
Marina Grau, Houston Community College Jeff Paterson, Florida State University
Brian Greenstein, University of Delaware Ronald Pearson, Bay College
Patrick Griffin, Lewis University Martina Peng, Franklin University
Lillian Grose, University of Holy Cross James Pierson, Franklin University
Rosie Hagen, Virginia Western Community College Sonja Pippin, University of Nevada–Reno
Marcye Hampton, University of Central Florida Anthony Pochesci, Rutgers University
Cass Hausserman, Portland State University Joshua Racca, University of Alabama
Rebecca Helms, Ivy Tech Community College Francisco Rangel, Riverside City College
Melanie Hicks, Liberty University Pauline Ash Ray, Thomas University
Mary Ann Hofmann, Appalachian State University Luke Richardson, University of South Florida
Robert Joseph Holdren, Muskingum University Rodney Ridenour, Montana State University Northern
Bambi Hora, University of Central Oklahoma John Robertson, Arkansas State University
Carol Hughes, Asheville Buncombe Technical Community Susan Robinson, Georgia Southwestern State University
College Morgan Rockett, Moberly Area Community College
Helen Hurwitz, Saint Louis University Miles Romney, Michigan State University
Rik Ichiho, Dixie State University Ananth Seetharaman, Saint Louis University

xix
Alisa Shapiro, Raritan Valley Community College Ronald Unger, Temple University
Deanna Sharpe, University of Missouri Natasha Ware, Southeastern University
Wayne Shaw, Southern Methodist University Luke Watson, University of Florida
Sonia Singh, University of Florida Sarah Webber, University of Dayton
Lucia Smeal, Georgia State University Cassandra Weitzenkamp, Peru State College
Pamela Smith, University of Texas at San Antonio Marvin Williams, University of Houston—Downtown
Adam Spoolstra, Johnson County Community College Chris Woehrle, American College
Jason Stanfield, Ball State University Jennifer Wright, Drexel University
Joe Standridge, Sonoma State Massood Yahya-Zadeh, George Mason University
George Starbuck, McMurry University James Yang, Montclair State University
James Stekelberg, University of Arizona Scott Yetmar, Cleveland State University
Terrie Stolte, Columbus State Community College Charlie Yuan, Elizabeth City State University
Kenton Swift, University of Montana Xiaoli Yuan, Elizabeth City State University
Erin Towery, The University of Georgia Mingjun Zhou, DePaul University

Acknowledgments
We would like to thank the many talented people who made valuable contributions to the creation of this ninth edition.
William A. Padley of Madison Area Technical College, Deanna Sharpe of the University of Missouri–Columbia, and
Troy Lewis of Brigham Young University checked the page proofs and solutions manual for accuracy; we greatly appre-
ciate the hours they spent checking tax forms and double-checking our calculations throughout the book. Teressa F
­ arough,
Troy Lewis of Brigham Young University, and Deanna Sharpe of the University of Missouri–Columbia accuracy-checked
the test bank. Thank you to Troy Lewis, Michele Meckfessel of University of Missouri at St. Louis, and Shannon Book-
out of Columbus State Community College for your contributions to the Smartbook revision for this edition. Special
thanks to Troy Lewis of Brigham Young University for his sharp eye and valuable feedback throughout the revision
process. Thanks as well to Colton Gigot from Agate Publishing for managing the supplement process. Finally, William
A. Padley of Madison Area Technical College, Deanna Sharpe of the University of Missouri–Columbia, and Vivian
Paige of Old Dominion University greatly contributed to the accuracy of McGraw-Hill’s Connect for the 2018 edition.
We also appreciate the expert attention given to this project by the staff at McGraw-Hill Education, especially Tim
Vertovec, Managing Director; Kathleen Klehr, Executive Brand Manager; Danielle Andries, Product Developer; Erin
Quinones, Product Developer; Lori Koetters, Brian Nacik, and Jill Eccher, Content Project Managers; Matt Backhaus,
Designer; Natalie King, Marketing Director; Cheryl Osgood, Marketing Manager; and Sue Culbertson, Senior Buyer.

xx
Changes in Taxation of Individuals
and Business Entities, 2018 Edition
For the 2018 edition of McGraw-Hill’s Taxation of Individuals and Business Entities, many changes
were made in response to feedback from reviewers and focus group participants:
∙ All tax forms have been updated for the latest Chapter 5
­available tax form as of January 2017. In addition, ∙ Updated for 2017 amounts for Flexible Spending
chapter content throughout the text has been ­Account contributions.
­updated to reflect tax law changes through ∙ Added discussion of new exclusion for awards and prize
­January 2017.
money for Team USA Olympic and Paralympic athletes.
∙ Revised discussion of foreign-earned income exclusion
Other notable changes in the 2018 edition include: and updated for 2017 exclusion amounts.
∙ Updated for annual gift tax exclusion and unified tax
Chapter 1 credit for 2017.
∙ Updated tax rates for 2017. ∙ Updated U.S. Series EE Bond interest income exclusion
∙ Updated Social Security Wage base for 2017. for 2017.
∙ Updated Unified Tax Credit for 2017. ∙ Updated tax forms from 2015 to 2016 forms.
∙ Updated Taxes in the Real World: Republicans vs.
Democrats. Chapter 6
∙ Updated Taxes in the Real World: Affordable Care ∙ Updated mileage rate for 2017 moving expense
Act amount for 2017. deduction.
∙ Updated Taxes in the Real World: National Debt for ∙ Updated phase-out for interest on qualified education
current debt limit. loan for 2017.
∙ Updated Exhibit 1-4 for 2015 Federal revenues by ∙ Updated pending expiration date for qualified educa-
source from Treasury. tion expense deduction.
∙ Updated Exhibit 1-5 for 2015 State revenues by ∙ Updated mileage rate for medical expense itemized
source from U.S. Census. deduction for 2017.
∙ Updated standard business mileage rate for 2017.
Chapter 2 ∙ Updated thresholds for the itemized deduction and
∙ Updated gross income thresholds by filing status personal exemption phase-outs for 2017.
for 2017. ∙ Updated standard deduction and personal exemption
∙ Revised discussion of primary authorities and IRS amounts for 2017.
Publications and tax forms. ∙ Updated tax forms from 2015 to 2016 forms.
∙ Updated penalty amounts for failure to file a tax re- Chapter 7
turn and willful understatement of tax.
∙ Updated tax rates for 2017.
∙ Updated tax forms from 2015 to 2016 forms.
Chapter 3
∙ Updated tax rates for 2017. Chapter 8
∙ Updated Exhibit 3-3 for new tax rates. ∙ Updated tax rate schedules for 2017.
∙ Updated AMT discussion for medical expense
Chapter 4 adjustment.
∙ Updated personal exemption amounts for 2017. ∙ Updated AMT exemption and AMT tax rate schedule
∙ Updated standard deduction amounts for 2017. for 2017.
∙ Updated tax rates for 2017. ∙ Revised Self-Employment Tax discussion.
∙ Updated tax forms from 2015 to 2016 forms. ∙ Updated Social Security Tax wage base and Self-­
∙ Clarified discussion of who is a qualifying person Employment Tax base for 2017.
for head of household filing status for divorced ∙ Updated Lifetime Learning Credit phase-out for 2017.
­parents by editing footnote to Exhibit 4-9 and ∙ Updated Earned Income Credit amounts for 2017.
­Appendix B. ∙ Updated tax forms from 2015 to 2016 forms.

xxi
Chapter 9 ∙ In the discussion about combined limit for qualifying
∙ Updated standard business mileage rate for 2017. debt, the use of average method and chronological
∙ Updated tax forms from 2015 to 2016. method of determining deductible interest expense
has been changed to the “simple” and “exact” meth-
Chapter 10 ods of determining deductible interest expense, re-
spectively. This is consistent with the terminology
∙ Updated tax rates for 2017.
provided in the regulations.
∙ Updated tax forms from 2015 to 2016 forms.
∙ Updated Taxes in the Real World (“Double Take on
∙ Updated §179 amounts for inflation adjustments.
Home-Related Interest Deductions”) to reflect the
∙ Updated examples and end of chapter problems for fact that the IRS has now acquiesced to the Voss 12th
2017 §179 amounts. Circuit case. Consequently, the finding in Voss should
∙ Clarified luxury car (§280F) depreciation limit apply to taxpayers anywhere in the country.
calculation. ∙ Updated Example 14-14 dealing with the IRS method
versus Tax Court method of allocating rent expense
Chapter 11 to reflect non-leap year in 2017.
∙ Updated tax rates for 2017. ∙ Clarified discussion of losses from nonresidential
∙ Updated tax forms from 2015 to 2016 forms. rental property.
∙ Clarified related-party holding period rules. ∙ Updated tax forms from 2015 to 2016.
∙ Clarified like-kind exchange debt offset rules. ∙ Clarified that taxpayer’s personal use of an office
­disqualifies the taxpayer from claiming a home
Chapter 12 ­office deduction in Example 14-17.
∙ Updated qualified transportation fringe amounts ∙ Updated settlement statement in Appendix A.
for 2017. ∙ Clarified language in Discussion Question 2.
∙ Updated tax forms from 2015 to 2016.
∙ Updated Exhibits 12-2 through 12-4 and 12-8 for Chapter 15
2016 proxy statements. ∙ In Exhibit 15-3, changed “Nontaxable” to “Tax de-
∙ Updated Taxes in the Real World for 2016 proxy ferred” when discussing the tax consequences of con-
statement information. tributing appreciated property to the various entities.
∙ Updated URL in Taxes in the Real World titled
Chapter 13 ­Comparing Entities Selected.
∙ Increased salary for Dave Allan in storyline. ∙ Shortened the fact pattern in problem 73. The relevant
∙ Updated inflation adjusted limits for defined benefit facts have not changed.
plans, defined contribution plans, and individually Chapter 16
managed plans.
∙ Updated the discussion on stock option compensation.
∙ Updated Exhibit 13-6 to reflect most recent proxy
∙ Revised Taxes in the Real World for Facebook stock
statement for Coca-Cola Company.
options.
∙ Updated AGI phase-out thresholds for deductible
∙ Updated the compliance section for new year-end filing.
contributions to traditional IRAs and contributions to
Roth IRAs. Chapter 17
∙ Updated Saver’s credit information. ∙ Updated the Taxes in the Real World saga of
∙ Clarified language in Discussion Question 33. Weatherford.
∙ Clarified language in Problem 50 part e. ∙ Updated the material to incorporate the new FASB
rules on disclosures of deferred tax assets and
Chapter 14 liabilities.
∙ Clarified that the terms “dwelling unit” and “home” ∙ Updated the Microsoft uncertain tax benefit footnote
are used interchangebly. disclosure.
∙ Updated discussion of government’s list of expendi- ∙ Updated the FASB’s projects involving accounting
tures from 2015–2024 to 2016–2025. for income taxes.
∙ Updated URL in footnote 4.
∙ Inserted new footnote 7 indicating that the IRS Chapter 18
­recently ruled that a couple’s need to move because ∙ Edited key facts summary of earnings and profits
of a birth of a second child was an unforeseen (E&P) calculation.
­circumstance (LTR 201628002). ∙ Edited discussion of effect of distributions on E&P.

xxii
∙ Streamlined and edited discussion of effect of Chapter 22
­noncash property distributions and the effect of ∙ Revised discussion of the family member rules for pur-
these distributions on taxable income and E&P. poses of the S corporation qualification requirements.
∙ Clarified examples of effect of distributions on ∙ Revised discussion of the excess passive investment
E&P. income rules.
∙ Updated Social Security Tax wage base for 2017.
Chapter 19
∙ Updated tax forms from 2015 to 2016 forms.
∙ Clarified facts in Example 19-25.
∙ Clarified facts in Comprehensive Problems 19-58 Chapter 23
and 19-59. ∙ Updated Exhibit 23-4.
∙ Updated Taxes in the Real World for sourcing receipts.
Chapter 20 ∙ Updated Taxes in the Real World for apportionment.
∙ Added new Taxes in the Real World box in passive
losses discussion. Chapter 24
∙ Clarified the definition of material participant for ∙ Updated the discussion on the OECD base erosion
passive loss purposes. and profit-shifting project.
∙ Clarified new partnership tax return due date. ∙ Updated the proposals for international tax reform.
∙ Clarified the connection between 704(b) capital ∙ Updated the discussion on inversions.
­accounts and partnership agreements.
Chapter 25
Chapter 21 ∙ Clarified computation for unified credit.
∙ Clarified the explanation of disproportionate distribu- ∙ Updated exemption equivalent for inflation adjust-
tions to be more consistent with the §751(b) proposed ment made for 2016.
regulations. ∙ Revised terminology used for unified credit, which is
∙ Clarified the problem illustrating disproportionate now referred to as the “applicable credit.”
distributions to be more consistent with the §751(b) ∙ Updated tax forms for 2016.
proposed regulations. ∙ Revised discount factors for changes in the regulations.
∙ Clarified the explanation of special basis adjustments ∙ Revised ethics problem to focus on what constitutes
applicable to distributions. an intent to make a gift.

As We Go to Press
The 2018 Edition is current through February 21, 2017. You can visit the
Connect Library for updates that occur after this date.

xxiii
Table of Contents

1 An Introduction to Tax Tax Law Sources 2-9


Legislative Sources: Congress and the
Who Cares about Taxes and Why? 1-2 Constitution 2-11
What Qualifies as a Tax? 1-4 Internal Revenue Code 2-11
How to Calculate a Tax 1-5 The Legislative Process for Tax Laws 2-12
Different Ways to Measure Tax Rates 1-5 Basic Organization of the Code 2-13
Tax Treaties 2-14
Tax Rate Structures 1-9
Judicial Sources: The Courts 2-14
Proportional Tax Rate Structure 1-9
Administrative Sources: The U.S. Treasury 2-15
Progressive Tax Rate Structure 1-9
Regulations, Revenue Rulings, and Revenue
Regressive Tax Rate Structure 1-10
Procedures 2-15
Types of Taxes 1-11 Letter Rulings 2-16
Federal Taxes 1-11
Tax Research 2-17
Income Tax 1-12
Step 1: Understand Facts 2-17
Employment and Unemployment Taxes 1-12
Step 2: Identify Issues 2-17
Excise Taxes 1-13
Step 3: Locate Relevant Authorities 2-18
Transfer Taxes 1-13
Step 4: Analyze Tax Authorities 2-19
State and Local Taxes 1-14
Step 5: Document and Communicate the
Income Taxes 1-14 Results 2-21
Sales and Use Taxes 1-14 Facts 2-21
Property Taxes 1-15 Issues 2-21
Excise Taxes 1-15 Authorities 2-22
Implicit Taxes 1-16 Conclusion 2-22
Evaluating Alternative Tax Systems 1-17 Analysis 2-22
Sufficiency 1-18 Client Letters 2-22
Static versus Dynamic Forecasting 1-18 Research Question and Limitations 2-22
Income versus Substitution Effects 1-19 Facts 2-22
Equity 1-20 Analysis 2-22
Horizontal versus Vertical Equity 1-21 Closing 2-22
Certainty 1-22 Tax Professional Responsibilities 2-23
Convenience 1-22
Taxpayer and Tax Practitioner Penalties 2-26
Economy 1-22
Conclusion 2-28
Evaluating Tax Systems—The Trade-Off 1-23
Conclusion 1-23
3 Tax Planning Strategies and Related
Limitations
2 Tax Compliance, the IRS, and Tax
Basic Tax Planning Overview 3-2
Authorities
Timing Strategies 3-2
Taxpayer Filing Requirements 2-2
Present Value of Money 3-3
Tax Return Due Date and Extensions 2-3
The Timing Strategy When Tax Rates Are
Statute of Limitations 2-3 Constant 3-4
IRS Audit Selection 2-4 The Timing Strategy When Tax Rates
Types of Audits 2-5 Change 3-7
After the Audit 2-6 Limitations to Timing Strategies 3-10

xxiv
Table of Contents xxv

Income-Shifting Strategies 3-11 5 Gross Income and Exclusions


Transactions between Family Members and
Limitations 3-11 Realization and Recognition of Income 5-2
What Is Included in Gross Income? 5-2
Transactions between Owners and Their
Businesses and Limitations 3-12 Economic Benefit 5-3
Income Shifting across Jurisdictions and Realization Principle 5-3
Limitations 3-15 Recognition 5-4
Conversion Strategies 3-16 Other Income Concepts 5-4
Limitations of Conversion Strategies 3-19 Form of Receipt 5-4
Return of Capital Principle 5-4
Additional Limitations to Tax Planning Strategies:
Judicial Doctrines 3-19 Recovery of Amounts Previously
Deducted 5-5
Tax Avoidance versus Tax Evasion 3-20
When Do Taxpayers Recognize Income? 5-6
Conclusion 3-21 Accounting Methods 5-6
Constructive Receipt 5-7
Claim of Right 5-7
4 Individual Income Tax Overview, Who Recognizes the Income? 5-8
Exemptions, and Filing Status Assignment of Income 5-8
The Individual Income Tax Formula 4-2 Community Property Systems 5-8
Gross Income 4-2 Types of Income 5-9
Character of Income 4-5 Income from Services 5-10
Deductions 4-7 Income from Property 5-10
For AGI Deductions 4-7 Annuities 5-11
From AGI Deductions 4-8 Property Dispositions 5-13
Income Tax Calculation 4-10 Other Sources of Gross Income 5-14
Other Taxes 4-10 Income from Flow-Through Entities 5-14
Tax Credits 4-11 Alimony 5-14
Tax Prepayments 4-11 Prizes, Awards, and Gambling
Winnings 5-16
Personal and Dependency Exemptions 4-12
Social Security Benefits 5-17
Dependency Requirements 4-12
Imputed Income 5-19
Qualifying Child 4-12
Discharge of Indebtedness 5-20
Qualifying Relative 4-15
Exclusion Provisions 5-21
Filing Status 4-19
Common Exclusions 5-21
Married Filing Jointly and Married Filing
Municipal Interest 5-21
Separately 4-19
Gains on the Sale of Personal
Qualifying Widow or Widower (Surviving
Residence 5-22
Spouse) 4-20
Fringe Benefits 5-23
Single 4-21
Education-Related Exclusions 5-25
Head of Household 4-21
Scholarships 5-25
Married Individuals Treated as Unmarried
Other Educational Subsidies 5-25
(Abandoned Spouse) 4-23
U.S. Series EE Bonds 5-26
Summary of Income Tax Formula 4-24
Exclusions That Mitigate Double Taxation 5-26
Conclusion 4-27 Gifts and Inheritances 5-26
Appendix A: Dependency Exemption Flowchart Life Insurance Proceeds 5-27
(Part I and Part II) 4-27 Foreign-Earned Income 5-28
Appendix B: Qualifying Person for Head of Sickness and Injury-Related Exclusions 5-29
Household Filing Status Flowchart 4-29 Workers’ Compensation 5-29
Appendix C: Determination of Filing Status Payments Associated with Personal
Flowchart 4-30 Injury 5-29
xxvi Table of Contents

Health Care Reimbursement 5-30 Miscellaneous Itemized Deductions Subject to


Disability Insurance 5-30 AGI Floor 6-26
Deferral Provisions 5-31 Employee Business Expenses 6-26
Income Summary 5-31 Investment Expenses 6-28
Tax Preparation Fees 6-29
Conclusion 5-32
Hobby Losses 6-29
Appendix: 2016 Social Security Worksheet from
Limitation on Miscellaneous Itemized
Form 1040 5-33
Deductions (2 Percent of AGI Floor) 6-31
Miscellaneous Itemized Deductions Not Subject
6 Individual Deductions to AGI Floor 6-31
Phase-Out of Itemized Deductions 6-32
Deductions for AGI 6-2
Summary of Itemized Deductions 6-32
Deductions Directly Related to Business
Activities 6-2 The Standard Deduction and Exemptions 6-34
Trade or Business Expenses 6-4 Standard Deduction 6-34
Rental and Royalty Expenses 6-5 Bunching Itemized Deductions 6-36
Losses 6-6 Deduction for Personal and Dependency
Exemptions 6-36
Flow-Through Entities 6-6
Taxable Income Summary 6-37
Deductions Indirectly Related to Business
Activities 6-6 Conclusion 6-38
Moving Expenses 6-6 Appendix A: Calculation of Itemized Deduction
Health Insurance Deduction by Self- Phase-Out for 2017 6-38
Employed Taxpayers 6-8 Appendix B: Personal Exemption Phase-Out
Self-Employment Tax Deduction 6-9 Computation for 2017 6-39
Penalty for Early Withdrawal of
Savings 6-9 7 Investments
Deductions Subsidizing Specific
Investments Overview 7-2
Activities 6-9
Deduction for Interest on Qualified Education Portfolio Income: Interest and Dividends 7-2
Loans 6-10 Interest 7-3
Deduction for Qualified Education Corporate and U.S. Treasury Bonds 7-3
Expenses 6-11 U.S. Savings Bonds 7-4
Summary: Deductions for AGI 6-12 Dividends 7-6
Deductions from AGI: Itemized Portfolio Income: Capital Gains and Losses 7-7
Deductions 6-13 Types of Capital Gains and Losses 7-10
Medical Expenses 6-13 25 Percent Gains 7-10
Transportation and Travel for Medical 28 Percent Gains 7-10
Purposes 6-15 Netting Process for Gains and Losses 7-12
Hospitals and Long-Term Care Calculating Tax Liability on Net Capital
Facilities 6-15 Gains 7-16
Medical Expense Deduction Limitations on Capital Losses 7-21
Limitation 6-15
Losses on the Sale of Personal-Use
Taxes 6-16 Assets 7-21
Interest 6-17 Capital Losses on Sales to Related
Charitable Contributions 6-18 Parties 7-22
Contributions of Money 6-19 Wash Sales 7-22
Contributions of Property Other Than Balancing Tax Planning Strategies for Capital
Money 6-20 Assets with Other Goals 7-23
Charitable Contribution Deduction Portfolio Income Summary 7-25
Limitations 6-21
Portfolio Investment Expenses 7-25
Casualty and Theft Losses on Personal-Use
Assets 6-23 Investment Expenses 7-25
Tax Loss from Casualties 6-24 Investment Interest Expense 7-26
Casualty Loss Deduction Floor Net Investment Income 7-27
Limitations 6-24 Net Investment Income Tax 7-29
Table of Contents xxvii

Passive Activity Income and Losses 7-29 Filing Requirements 8-38


Passive Activity Definition 7-30 Late Filing Penalty 8-38
Income and Loss Categories 7-31 Late Payment Penalty 8-39
Rental Real Estate Exception to the Passive Tax Summary 8-39
Activity Loss Rules 7-33
Conclusion 8-41
Net Investment Income Tax on Net Passive
Income 7-34
Conclusion 7-34 9 Business Income, Deductions,
and Accounting Methods
8 Individual Income Tax Computation Business Gross Income 9-2
and Tax Credits Business Deductions 9-2
Ordinary and Necessary 9-3
Regular Federal Income Tax Computation 8-2
Reasonable in Amount 9-4
Tax Rate Schedules 8-2
Marriage Penalty or Benefit 8-3 Limitations on Business Deductions 9-5
Exceptions to the Basic Tax Computation 8-3 Expenditures against Public Policy 9-5
Preferential Tax Rates for Capital Gains and Political Contributions and Lobbying Costs 9-5
Dividends 8-4 Capital Expenditures 9-6
Net Investment Income Tax 8-5 Expenses Associated with the Production of Tax-
Kiddie Tax 8-6 Exempt Income 9-6
Personal Expenditures 9-7
Alternative Minimum Tax 8-8
Mixed-Motive Expenditures 9-8
Alternative Minimum Tax Formula 8-9
Meals and Entertainment 9-8
Alternative Minimum Taxable Income
(AMTI) 8-9 Travel and Transportation 9-9
AMT Exemption 8-12 Property Use 9-11
Tentative Minimum Tax and AMT Record Keeping and Other
Computation 8-13 Requirements 9-11
General AMT Planning Specific Business Deductions 9-12
Strategies 8-14 Domestic Production Activities Deduction 9-12
Employment and Self-Employment Losses on Dispositions of Business
Taxes 8-14 Property 9-13
Employee FICA Taxes Payable 8-15 Business Casualty Losses 9-14
Self-Employment Taxes 8-17 Accounting Periods 9-15
Employee vs. Self-Employed (Independent Accounting Methods 9-16
Contractor) 8-22 Financial and Tax Accounting Methods 9-17
Employee vs. Independent Contractor Overall Accounting Method 9-17
Comparison 8-22
Cash Method 9-17
Tax Credits 8-24 Accrual Method 9-18
Nonrefundable Personal Credits 8-25 Accrual Income 9-19
Child Tax Credit 8-25 All-Events Test for Income 9-19
Child and Dependent Care Credit 8-26 Taxation of Advance Payments of Income
Education Credits 8-28 (Unearned Income) 9-19
Refundable Personal Credits 8-31 Unearned Service Revenue 9-20
Earned Income Credit 8-31 Advance Payment for Goods 9-20
Other Refundable Personal Credits 8-32 Inventories 9-21
Business Tax Credits 8-33 Uniform Capitalization 9-21
Foreign Tax Credit 8-33 Inventory Cost-Flow Methods 9-22
Tax Credit Summary 8-34 Accrual Deductions 9-24
Credit Application Sequence 8-34 All-Events Test for Deductions 9-24
Taxpayer Prepayments and Filing Economic Performance 9-24
Requirements 8-35 Bad Debt Expense 9-27
Prepayments 8-36 Limitations on Accruals to Related
Underpayment Penalties 8-36 Parties 9-28
xxviii Table of Contents

Comparison of Accrual and Cash Property Converted from Personal Use to


Methods 9-29 Business Use 11-3
Adopting an Accounting Method 9-30 Realized Gain or Loss on Disposition 11-5
Changing Accounting Methods 9-33 Recognized Gain or Loss on Disposition 11-6
Tax Consequences of Changing Accounting Character of Gain or Loss 11-6
Methods 9-33
Ordinary Assets 11-7
Conclusion 9-34 Capital Assets 11-7
§1231 Assets 11-8
10 Property Acquisition and Cost Depreciation Recapture 11-9
Recovery
§1245 Property 11-10
Cost Recovery and Basis for Cost Recovery 10-2 Scenario 1: Gain Created Solely through Cost
Basis for Cost Recovery 10-3 Recovery Deductions 11-11
Depreciation 10-6 Scenario 2: Gain Due to Both Cost
Personal Property Depreciation 10-7 Recovery Deductions and Asset
Appreciation 11-11
Depreciation Method 10-7
Scenario 3: Asset Sold at a Loss 11-12
Depreciation Recovery Period 10-8
Depreciation Conventions 10-9 §1250 Depreciation Recapture for Real
Property 11-13
Calculating Depreciation for Personal
Property 10-9 Other Provisions Affecting the Rate at Which Gains
Applying the Half-Year Convention 10-10 Are Taxed 11-14
Applying the Mid-Quarter Convention 10-13 Unrecaptured §1250 Gain for Individuals 11-14
Real Property 10-16 Characterizing Gains on the Sale of Depreciable
Property to Related Persons 11-16
Applicable Method 10-17
Applicable Convention 10-17 Calculating Net §1231 Gains or Losses 11-16
Depreciation Tables 10-17 §1231 Look-Back Rule 11-18
Special Rules Relating to Cost Recovery 10-18 Gain or Loss Summary 11-20
Immediate Expensing 10-18 Nonrecognition Transactions 11-20
Listed Property 10-24 Like-Kind Exchanges 11-20
Luxury Automobiles 10-26 Definition of Like-Kind Property 11-24
Depreciation for the Alternative Minimum Real Property 11-24
Tax 10-29 Personal Property 11-24
Depreciation Summary 10-29
Property Ineligible for Like-Kind
Amortization 10-31 Treatment 11-25
Section 197 Intangibles 10-31 Property Use 11-25
Organizational Expenditures and Start-Up Timing Requirements for a Like-Kind
Costs 10-32 Exchange 11-25
Research and Experimentation Tax Consequences When Like-Kind Property Is
Expenditures 10-35 Exchanged Solely for Like-Kind
Patents and Copyrights 10-35 Property 11-27
Amortizable Intangible Asset Summary 10-36 Tax Consequences of Transfers Involving Like-
Depletion 10-37 Kind and Non-Like-Kind Property
(Boot) 11-27
Conclusion 10-39
Reporting Like-Kind Exchanges 11-29
Appendix: MACRS Tables 10-40 Involuntary Conversions 11-29
Installment Sales 11-32
11 Property Dispositions Gains Ineligible for Installment
Dispositions 11-2 Reporting 11-34
Amount Realized 11-2 Other Nonrecognition Provisions 11-34
Determination of Adjusted Basis 11-3 Related-Person Loss Disallowance
Gifts 11-3 Rules 11-35
Inherited Property 11-3 Conclusion 11-36
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"You did not take it?" the governess interposed hastily.

"Oh, no!" A painful blush rose to Margaret's cheeks as she remembered that her mother
had not declined the same offer. "Mrs. Lute said total abstinence from all intoxicants is the
only thing for some people," she added.

"She is quite right," was the grave response.

There was silence for a few minutes. Miss Conway was asking herself what was the reason
of her pupil's evident confusion, and Margaret was hoping she would not be questioned as
to its cause.

"I have been a teetotaler all my life," Miss Conway proceeded presently. "My father had a
great horror of drink because his own father had been a drunkard, and he had suffered
much on that account. It is sad to think that there is scarcely a family that does not
possess at least one member given over to the vice of drinking to excess. Oh, Margaret!
Mr. Fowler was right when he laid down the rule that no intoxicants should be brought into
his house."

"I am sure he was right," Margaret agreed heartily, "though everyone does not think so.
Mother calls it a fad—"

"Did your mother—" The governess hesitated momentarily, scarcely knowing how to put
the question which trembled on her lips. "Perhaps you will think I have no right to ask
you," she continued hastily, "but, believe me, Margaret, it is no idle curiosity which
prompts me. Did your mother have any wine at Mrs. Lute's yesterday?"

Margaret nodded gravely, observing her companion anxiously in order to read by her
countenance what she thought. She was prepared to see her exhibit surprise, and perhaps
disapproval, but Miss Conway appeared absolutely frightened, and her very lips turned
white. She made no remark in response however, but when she kissed her pupil ere they
separated for the night, there was marked tenderness in her manner and in her voice as
she said, "God bless you, dear Margaret. You look tired out yourself. Try to have a good
night's rest."

The little girl was very sleepy, so, almost as soon as her head was on the pillow, she was in
the land of dreams. But such unhappy, disturbing dreams they were. She imagined her
mother was very ill, and that her father could not be sent for, because no one knew his
address, and that she was in terrible grief and perplexity. At length, frightened and shaking
in every limb, she awoke, and sprang out of bed with a shriek. The conviction was strong
upon her that something was wrong with her mother, and she felt compelled to go and
ascertain what was amiss. Lighting a candle, she took it up and hurried to Mrs. Fowler's
room. A sigh of deep thankfulness escaped her lips as she found everything quiet there.
Softly she stole to the bedside and saw her mother lying asleep, one hand beneath her
cheek, her fair hair strewn over the pillow. Margaret thought how pretty she looked, and
carefully shaded the candle with her hand as she gazed at the sleeper with love and
admiration in her glance; but it would have taken more than the feeble rays of the candle
to awaken Mrs. Fowler from that deep, dreamless sleep.

Margaret would have liked to have kissed her mother's flushed cheek, but feared to disturb
her; so she contented herself with pressing her lips to the soft, white hand which lay
outside the counterpane, then stole back to her own room as quietly as she had left it, and
after putting out the candle crept back to bed. She felt she could rest with an easy mind
now, and was no longer disturbed by distressing dreams.
The following day Mrs. Fowler did not go far. She appeared depressed and out of sorts until
after tea-time, when her drooping spirits revived, and she spent the evening under the
lilac tree with Miss Conway, whilst the children played croquet on the lawn. Suddenly she
remembered that a letter she had written to her husband had not been posted, and
suggested that Margaret and Gerald might take it to the post-office.

"I'm afraid it's too late to catch to-night's post," she said regretfully, "but never mind. Your
father will not be anxious, as he heard this morning. Still, you may as well post it. Dear
me, what could have made me so forgetful!"

So Margaret and Gerald hurried off to the post-office, which was only two doors from the
village inn, from which it was divided by Samuel Moyle's shop.

After posting the letter, they went into the shop to purchase some sweets, and whilst they
were there, Josiah Petherick came out of the "Crab and Cockle," much the worse for drink,
and staggered past on his way home.

Mrs. Moyle, a rosy-cheeked dame, so stout that she appeared to be almost as thick as she
was long, went to the door to stare after Josiah, whilst her husband, who was attending to
the requirements of his customers, shook his head gravely and prophesied that "such a
drunken beast," as he called him, "would come to a bad end," adding, with a touch of real
feeling, "Ah, I'm sorry for that poor motherless maid of his!"

Margaret returned to Greystone very sad at heart, full of the lame girl's trouble, and
informed her mother and Miss Conway of the state Josiah was in; whilst Gerald, who had
been more amused than disgusted, began to imitate the drunken man's rambling walk, a
proceeding which his governess promptly put a stop to by grasping him forcibly by the
shoulder and making him stand still.

"For shame!" she cried with unusual severity in her tone. "How can you make fun of the
unhappy man? Poor wretch! Never make a joke of a drunkard again."

"Well, I won't," Gerald returned. "I meant no harm. Please let me go, Miss Conway. I
promise you I won't do it again."

"No, I do not think you meant any harm," the governess admitted. "You acted
thoughtlessly, I know. But you must never laugh at what is wrong—remember that."

"Isn't it terrible for poor Salome, mother?" Margaret said sadly.

"Very," Mrs. Fowler replied. "It would be better for her if she had no father at all."

"Oh, mother!" Margaret cried in shocked tones. "Do you mean that?"

"Yes, I do. What can her father be, but a perpetual shame and trouble to her?"

"But she loves him so dearly."

"I don't know how she can!" Mrs. Fowler exclaimed vehemently. "But, there, don't let us
talk of Josiah any more. Of course, the letter was too late for to-night's post?"

"Oh, yes. But I posted it all the same. I wonder when father will be home."

"Not till the end of the week, I expect. It's getting chilly; we will go in." And rising, Mrs.
Fowler moved towards the house, the others following.
Margaret's thoughts were all of Salome during the remainder of the evening. And before
she went to rest, she prayed earnestly that God would give His help and protection to the
lame girl, and reward her patience and love in His own good time.

"Drink is an awful thing," was her last waking thought that night, as she crept into her
little, white-curtained bed, and laid her head down on the soft pillow. "I only wish poor
Salome's father could be brought to see what an awful thing it is."

CHAPTER IX.
The Blow Falls.

IT was nearly noon, and quietude reigned over Yelton. The fishermen were all at sea,
whilst their wives were busy with their domestic duties within doors, and the children were
at school. The village looked actually deserted as Margaret Fowler walked soberly by the
"Crab and Cockle." Not a living soul was in sight, and there was no one in Silas Moyle's
shop, not even behind the counter, where Mrs. Moyle was generally to be found. Margaret
strolled on to Josiah Petherick's cottage, and there was Salome seated in the porch,
knitting rapidly whilst she sang to herself in a low, soft undertone. The lame girl's face lit
up with a bright smile of pleasure at sight of Margaret, and she turned to reach the
crutches by her side.

"Oh, please don't get up!" Margaret cried quickly. "I'll sit down in the porch with you for a
little while, if I may. How nice it is here!"

"Yes. Isn't it a beautiful day, miss? Such a fine breeze! All the fishing boats are out. Father
was off at daybreak this morning. I got up to give him his breakfast; so that's how it is my
work's finished so early."

"What are you making?" Margaret asked, noticing the thick, navy-blue fingering which
Salome was knitting.

"A jersey for father, miss. He'll want a new one against the winter."

"What! Do you mean to say you knit your father's jerseys? How clever of you!"

The lame girl smiled and blushed as she responded, "Mother taught me to knit when I was
a very little girl, but it was not until after her death that I learnt to make father's jerseys.
Mrs. Moyle taught me the way."

"Mrs. Moyle? The baker's wife, do you mean?"

"Yes, miss; she's always most kind to me."

"She looks good-natured," Margaret remarked. "Mother is not very well," she proceeded to
explain, "so she is lying in bed this morning, and Gerald is at his lessons with Miss Conway,
so I thought I would look you up, Salome."

"I am very glad to see you, miss. But I am sorry to hear Mrs. Fowler is ill."
"She is not ill exactly—at least, I hope not. She complained of a bad headache, so Ross
advised her to remain in bed and rest. It worries me if she's not well, now father's away."

"Then Mr. Fowler is not back yet, miss?"

"No. We expected him to stay away only a few days, but his business is keeping him longer
than he thought it would, so he will not be at home till next week. It is so dull without
him."

"I daresay it is, miss."

"Before he went, he told me he left mother in my charge, and that's why I'm so anxious
about her. You know, she was very, very ill before we came here. I never saw her for
weeks then, and—oh, it was a terrible time!"

"It must have been," Salome said sympathetically.

"How bright you look to-day!" Margaret exclaimed presently, after observing her
companion in silence for several minutes.

"I feel bright," the lame girl acknowledged with a smile, "for I know father'll come home
sober by-and-by, when the fishing boats return, and that's enough to make one happy."

"How brave you are, Salome!" And Margaret wondered if she had Salome's trouble,
whether she would ever be happy for a day or even an hour.

The other shook her head. She did not think she was brave at all, but she took the
sunshine of her life gratefully, and tried not to remember the hours of gloom.

"I wish I could knit," said Margaret, as she watched the lame girl's busy fingers.

"Why don't you learn, miss? Then you might knit your father's socks."

"Do you think I could?"

"Oh, yes, with a little practice. Would you—would you like me to teach you?" Salome asked
somewhat diffidently.

"Oh, I should be so much obliged to you if you would! Oh, thank you! I'll buy some wool
and knitting needles the very next time we drive to N—. But I'm afraid you'll find me a
very stupid pupil."

"I can't believe that, miss. Besides, knitting is quite easy—of course it takes time to learn
to knit fast. You can get knitting needles and wool at Mrs. Moyle's shop; she keeps a very
good supply."

"Does she? That's capital! Oh Salome, whatever has happened to that rose-bush by the
gate? Why, it's smashed off close to the ground! What a pity!"

"Yes," was the response, spoken in a low, pained tone.

"How did it happen?" Margaret asked concernedly, noticing the tears had sprung into her
companion's brown eyes.

"Father did it."

"Oh! Not on purpose?"


"No, no! He—he fell over it. He was sorry—afterwards; but I'm so grieved, because mother
planted that rose-bush herself not long before she died, and now it is quite ruined."

"Oh, I am sorry!" Margaret cried.

"It was an accident; but—but it wouldn't have happened, if he'd been sober. He's as upset
about it as I am now—he is indeed. He valued that rose-bush for mother's sake."

"Salome, why don't you try to persuade your father to take the pledge?" Margaret inquired
very seriously.

"I've tried heaps and heaps of times."

"And he won't?"

"No. Father says he hates teetotalers. I can't think he does really, though. Only, he likes
drink, and he won't give it up."

"It's very selfish of him. He ought to consider you. But, there, I won't run out against him,
for I know you're very fond of him. Perhaps, he'll be different some day."

"I pray every night that God will make him a sober man. He used to be so steady when
mother was living. Mr. Amyatt will tell you the same. It seems so dreadful that her death
should have changed him so. It was the trouble, I suppose, and having no one to speak to
at home but me that drove him to the 'Crab and Cockle' first along; then he grew to like
the drink, and now he can't bear the thought of going without it. Did you know Mr. Fowler
spoke to father about it, miss?"

"No; did he?"

"Yes, he did indeed. They had an argument, and I fancy from father's manner that he was
impressed by what Mr. Fowler said."

Long the little girls talked, until Margaret declared she really must go, or she would be late
for dinner. She hurried back to Greystone, to find that her mother was not up yet. On the
landing, at the top of the stairs, she met Ross, who had that minute come from Mrs.
Fowler's bedroom door.

"Is mother's head no better?" Margaret inquired concernedly.

"I'm afraid not," Ross answered. She looked somewhat perturbed, the little girl thought.
"I've not seen the mistress since breakfast-time, miss," she proceeded hurriedly, "for she
said she wished to be undisturbed, and now she has locked her door."

"Locked her door!" Margaret echoed in utter astonishment.

"Yes, and she won't open it, miss. I was going to ask Miss Conway what I should do—"

Not waiting to hear the conclusion of the sentence, Margaret ran to her mother's bedroom
door and tried to open it. The handle turned, but the door remained closed. She rapped
sharply with her knuckles and listened; then, receiving no answer, knocked again.

"Who there?"

It was her mother's voice that asked the question; but something in its tone fell
discordantly upon the ears of the listeners and did not lessen their uneasiness.
"It is I—Margaret. Let me in, mother dear."

"You can't come in; go away."

"But, mother, I want to know how you are. Is your head better?"

"Yes—no."

"Please let me in. Why have you locked the door?"

"I wish—to be alone."

At that moment Miss Conway appeared upon the scene. She turned white as death when
the situation was explained to her, and begged Margaret to go away, and let her try to
persuade Mrs. Fowler to unlock the door.

"No, no," cried the little girl. "Something must be amiss with mother, or she would never
act so strangely. Mother, mother, let me in," and she knocked at the door louder than
before.

There were sounds inside the room of some one moving about, then the door was opened,
and Mrs. Fowler, clad in a dressing-gown, with her hair streaming over her shoulders,
appeared in the doorway.

"What do you all want—coming here—disturbing me?" she questioned irritably; then she
lurched forward, and would have fallen on her face, if Miss Conway had not sprung to her
assistance and caught her.

"Oh, she has fainted!" Margaret cried, terribly frightened and distressed.

With the help of Ross, who was looking pale and scared, the governess succeeded in
dragging Mrs. Fowler across the room, and laying her upon the bed; and then turned to
her little pupil and told her to shut and lock the door. Wondering greatly, Margaret obeyed.
Returning to the bedside, she looked from one to the other of her companions in mingled
astonishment and reproach, for neither was making the least attempt to bring Mrs. Fowler
back to consciousness. The tears were streaming down Miss Conway's cheeks, and Ross
was murmuring—"I never guessed it. No, I never guessed it."

"Oh, can't you do anything?" Margaret cried distractedly. "Oh, she is very ill!" And she bent
over her mother, then suddenly drew back. Mrs. Fowler's cheeks were unusually flushed;
she was breathing heavily, and upon her lips hung the smell of spirit. Margaret experienced
a sensation as though an icy hand had gripped her heart. She looked inquiringly at Miss
Conway, who avoided her glance, then her eyes travelled slowly around the room. On the
dressing-table was a nearly empty brandy bottle, and by its side a glass.

With an exceedingly bitter cry, Margaret realised the truth. Her mother was not ill—that is,
not in the way she had supposed—but intoxicated. The blow had fallen, and everything
was now plain to her.

As in a dream, she heard Ross whispering to Miss Conway that she had never suspected
her mistress of this, that she had never had such a shock in her life before, and listened to
Miss Conway's answer that she herself would remain with Mrs. Fowler, and that the
servants must be told she was ill. Then, the governess put her arms around her pupil and
kissed her, begging her to be a brave girl. And all the while, Margaret was experiencing a
strange feeling of unreality, as though she was living through a horrible nightmare. She
watched Miss Conway fling the windows open wide, and place a blanket carefully over her
mother's unconscious form, and the conviction grew upon her, that though the governess
was deeply grieved, she was not surprised and shocked as she herself was and poor Ross
who looked almost scared to death.

Suddenly the governess pointed to the brandy bottle and appealed to the maid.

"Did you supply her with that?" she questioned sternly.

"No, miss, on my word of honour, I did not," Ross replied earnestly. "I never knew she had
it; she must have kept it under lock and key."

There was absolute truth in the girl's voice; and Miss Conway looked puzzled.

"I can't make it out—how she obtained it, I mean," she said at last. "Ross, I think you had
better leave your mistress to me for the present. I rely upon you not to speak of this
downstairs. And Margaret—" the governess's voice softened to the tenderest pity—"will
you take care of Gerald for the rest of the day? Tell him his mother is very poorly, and that
he may have a half-holiday. You could take him down to the beach this afternoon. God help
you to bear this trouble, poor child!"

Margaret made no response. Ringing in her ears were words her father had spoken to her
when they had been discussing Salome's trouble. "We cannot tell how much our patience
and love may be tried, nor what trials and troubles the future may hold for us. We can only
pray that God will strengthen us in our time of need."

Had her father anticipated this hour for her? She could not tell, but she thought it more
than likely.

Meanwhile, Miss Conway was leading her to the door, begging her to put a brave face on
matters, and to go down to dinner without her.

"I feel my duty is here, my dear," she said impressively. "If any one questions you about
your mother, you can truly say she is ill. Oh, Margaret, pray for her; she is greatly to be
pitied!" And so saying, the governess opened the door and pushed her little pupil gently
outside.

For a few minutes Margaret stood perfectly still. Then the sound of Gerald's voice in the
hall below reminded her that she must, as Miss Conway had said, put a brave face on
matters. So she went downstairs and delighted her brother by promising to take him down
to the beach. She was conscious that the burden of a great sorrow was upon her, and she
felt bowed down with an intolerable weight of shame. But she devoted herself assiduously
to Gerald for the remainder of the day; and it was not until nearly nine o'clock, when her
charge was in bed and asleep, that she dared give way to her grief. Then, in the privacy of
her own room, she flung herself upon the bed and wept as though her heart would break.

CHAPTER X.
Mr. Fowler's Return.
"MARGARET! Oh, my dear little girl! Do not grieve so terribly. You will make yourself ill, if
you go on like this."

Margaret tried to stifle her sobs at the sound of the kind, pitying voice, and turned a
swollen, tear-stained countenance towards Miss Conway, who had come in search of her.
She longed to ask for her mother, but for the present, she was incapable of speech. Her
governess, however, read aright her questioning eyes, and said reassuringly, "Your mother
is better, my dear. She regained consciousness some time ago, since when she has had a
cup of tea, and is now asleep. Ross is with her at present."

Miss Conway drew a chair to the bedside and sat down, then she took one of her little
pupil's hands and pressed it softly. "I have sent for your father," she continued; "after—
after what has happened I considered it was my duty to do so. I did not think there was
any necessity to alarm him by a telegram though, so I wrote by to-night's post and—
explained. He will get my letter in the morning, and probably return home at once. So,
dear Margaret, if all's well, he will doubtless be here to-morrow evening."

The little girl was glad to hear this; but at the same time, she dreaded meeting her father
with this new knowledge concerning her mother weighing on her mind. Her sobs had
ceased now, and she could speak collectedly.

"Miss Conway, do you think Ross has told the other servants?" she asked anxiously.

"I am sure she has not, nor do I believe she will. Ross is a thoroughly good girl, and most
sincerely attached to your mother. At first, I confess, I suspected her of having procured
that—that poison, but I was quite wrong! Mrs. Fowler bought the brandy herself, the
afternoon we drove to N— with her. Do you remember we drove on whilst she went into a
grocer's shop? She obtained it there. Oh, it is a shame that grocers should be allowed
licences for supplying intoxicating liquors! Poor soul, she has been telling me how sorely
she was tempted! Oh, Margaret, this all comes of Mrs. Lute's offering her that glass of
wine! She had not touched a stimulant since her illness till then, and had almost lost her
craving for drink. That glass of wine, however, was too much for her, and she felt she must
have more. I need not dwell on the result."

"Oh, Miss Conway, how shameful, how degrading!" Margaret cried passionately. "Oh, to
think that mother should be like that! Oh, no wonder father wished us all to be
teetotalers!"

She covered her flaming face with her hands and shuddered. "How long—how long have
you known this—about mother?" she inquired hesitatingly.

"Many months. Since—oh, long before her illness."

"Was that illness—"

"Caused by drink? Yes. Oh, my dear, I see you guess it all. Your father hoped you would
never know. He trusted that the complete change from life in town to the quietude of the
country, where Mrs. Fowler would meet comparatively few people of her own class, and
where he believed she would be free from temptation, would ultimately cure her of the
fatal habit she had acquired of drinking to excess, and I believe that would have been the
happy result, if you had not unfortunately met Mrs. Lute. Little does Mrs. Lute—good, kind
creature that she is—dream of the mischief she has wrought. Your poor mother is full of
grief and remorse now; and oh, so shocked that you should have seen her to-day. She
knows I have written to Mr. Fowler, and you can imagine how she is dreading his return;
yet she knows he will not be hard upon her. He loves her too well for that!"
Margaret felt at that moment that her affection for her mother was being swallowed up by
a sickening sensation of disgust. She had always loved her very dearly; and had been so
pleased and happy when people had admired her for her beauty and winning ways. Even
when Mrs. Fowler had openly shown her preference for Gerald of her two children, the little
girl, though often hurt, had never evinced any jealousy or resentment. She had accepted
the fact that Gerald was her mother's favourite, and had loved her none the less on that
account. But now, her love was being tried very severely.

The remembrance of Mrs. Fowler as she had last seen her, lying on the bed with flushed
cheeks, breathing stertorously, was absolutely revolting to her. She had many times asked
herself how Salome could continue to love her drunken father; now, she asked herself, was
it possible that she could continue to love her drunken mother? Oh, the horror of the
thought that one so gentle and refined should be on a par with Josiah Petherick, fellow-
victim to a disgraceful, degrading sin!

Perhaps Miss Conway guessed some of the thoughts which were passing through her
companion's mind, for she watched her anxiously, and presently remarked, "I daresay, you
can faintly imagine how your poor mother is feeling now. She had hoped to keep the secret
of her weakness and sin from your knowledge. Your father, too, will be terribly troubled
when he hears you have learnt the truth; but I do not doubt, dear child, that God in His
wisdom has ordered all for the best. You will understand now, as you never did before,
how much Mrs. Fowler needs all your love and devotion. You can help her, if you will, to
the restoration of that self-respect which, once lost, is so hard to regain. You can show her,
by loving her as unfalteringly as Salome loves her erring father, that she can rise above
this habit which has done so much to ruin her health, and happiness, and earn everyone's
respect and her own as well!"

Miss Conway paused, and there was a solemn silence which Margaret at length broke by
saying with a sob, "I do love mother, I do indeed."

"I am sure of it. Mrs. Fowler is a very sweet, lovable woman!"

"Yes," Margaret agreed. "See what a lot of friends she had in town, and how popular she
was! She was always going about—"

"Yes, dear, I know," the governess interposed, "and that was how it was she commenced
taking stimulants. She used to get tired with her constant gaieties, and then she would
take a glass of wine, or some other intoxicant, to revive her, until she grew to like
stimulants, and took more and more. The craving increased, and she drank to the injury of
her health, yet no outsiders guessed it. Then she had nervous attacks, followed at last by
a serious illness. The doctors told your father she was killing herself, and immeasurably
horrified, he took the only course he saw could save his wife—became a teetotaler himself,
and insisted that his household should follow suit. Mrs. Fowler knew he was acting wisely,
and for her sake, but she would not admit it. However, she found total abstinence from all
intoxicants was restoring her to health, and had made up her mind never to touch a
stimulant again when temptation was put in her way, and she fell. God grant she may
prove stronger in the future. Now, my dear, tell me, have you had any supper?"

"No," Margaret replied, "I am not in the least hungry."

"Oh, that's nonsense! You must eat whether you are hungry or not. Come with me."

Margaret demurred at first, but her governess overruled all her objections. And after she
had bathed her tear-stained face, the two went downstairs and had supper together. Miss
Conway did not leave her pupil again until she saw her comfortably tucked up in bed for
the night; then she kissed her, bade her try to sleep well, and left her to herself.

And Margaret did sleep well, absolutely worn out with excitement and grief, whilst the
governess spent the night in Mrs. Fowler's room. At daybreak, Ross came to take Miss
Conway's place, and found her mistress sleeping tranquilly.

"She looks more like herself, miss, doesn't she?" she whispered gladly.

"Yes," Miss Conway answered; "I should let her sleep as long as she will."

She did not say what a harrowing time she had endured during that night watch, or how
Mrs. Fowler had implored her to give her a stimulant, and had declared she would die
without it. But she went away quietly to her own room, and before she lay down to rest,
prayed earnestly to Almighty God for the unhappy woman, whom she pitied from the
depths of her heart.

SHE WENT TO THE FRONT DOOR TO MEET MR. FOWLER.

Early in the morning, a telegram arrived from Mr. Fowler saying he would be at home that
night, and ordering the carriage to be sent to N— to meet him at the railway station. The
governess made no secret of the fact that she had written to inform him of his wife's
illness, and as Ross kept her own counsel, the other servants supposed their mistress to
be suffering from one of the hysterical, nervous attacks to which she had been subject on
her arrival at Greystone.

It was nearly eight o'clock before Mr. Fowler reached home. Margaret, who had spent most
of the day on the beach with her brother, shrank sensitively from the thought of meeting
her father. When she heard the carriage wheels nearing the house, she longed to run away
and hide, but she knew it would never do to act in such a cowardly fashion as that.
Appearances must be kept up, at any rate before the servants, so she went to the front
door with Gerald to meet Mr. Fowler, and returned his loving kiss as quietly and
composedly as though her heart was not beating almost to suffocation.

As she had anticipated, he immediately went upstairs to his wife's room, and it was not
until much later, that she found herself with him alone. Then, after Gerald had gone to
bed, he joined her in the garden, and strolled up and down the lawn by her side, his arm
around her shoulders. For some minutes he did not speak, and she could not see the
expression of his face, for there was no moon, and the stars gave but little light.

At last he said gravely, "Life is very hard, sometimes, Margaret."

"Yes," she agreed, adding with a little sob: "Oh, father, you left her in my care, but I did
not know, and if I had, it would not have made any difference."

"No, no; I understand. She has told me everything herself."

"Oh, father, it is shocking! Think of the disgrace. Oh, you can't imagine how dreadful I feel
about it!"

"I think I can," he replied sadly. "My poor child, I had hoped to have been allowed to keep
this trouble from you, but God willed it otherwise. Have you seen your mother to-day?"

"No, father. She said she did not wish to see me."

"Ah, poor thing, she is ashamed to face you! If I were you, when you meet, I would not
revert to—to her illness at all."

"I will not."

"I shall try and persuade Mrs. Lute to come and spend a few days with us, in order to
cheer us all up."

"Oh, father, Mrs. Lute was the cause of all this trouble."

"I am aware of it; but her intention in offering your mother wine was an excellent one, she
had no idea of working mischief. I shall simply explain to her that this is a teetotal
household, and she is not the woman I take her to be if, after that, she refuses an
invitation to visit us."

"Did you finish your business in London, father?" Margaret questioned.

"Not quite. It must stand over for a few weeks. I shall not leave home again for the
present."

Though he spoke so quietly, Margaret knew her father must be very sore at heart. She had
often wondered why her mother was more at her ease when not in her husband's
presence, and now she understood the reason. Mrs. Fowler was conscious that he was
always keeping a watch upon her, that he did not trust her, and dear though he was to her,
she stood in awe of him.

Until her illness in the spring, he had always allowed her, her own way. But his alarm for
her well-being once aroused, he had taken the reins of government into his own hands,
and had shown her plainly that he meant his will to be law. She had always been a
pleasure-seeking woman and fond of society; but, broken down in health, she had not
found life at Yelton so utterly unbearable as she had anticipated. Her husband had devoted
much of his time to her, and, thrown more in contact with her little daughter, she had
begun to take a deeper interest in her than she had done before.

She had always been pleased to notice her beauty, but of late, she had discovered that
Margaret possessed other and higher attractions—goodness and unselfishness—which she
could not but admire. She saw the little girl had inherited many of her father's excellent
qualities of mind and heart, and uneasily conscious of her own weakness of character, she
was delighted that it was so. Unfortunately there had never been the same sympathy of
feeling between Margaret and her mother as there had always been between the little girl
and her father.

Now, as she strolled by Mr. Fowler's side up and down the lawn, she slipped her hand
through his arm, whilst she leaned her head confidingly against his shoulder, as she said,
"Father, I'm so very glad you've come home."

CHAPTER XI.
Josiah at His Worst.

THE afternoon subsequent to her husband's return, Mrs. Fowler was sufficiently well to
come downstairs and lie on the sofa in the drawing-room. Margaret, who had gone back to
her usual routine of work with Miss Conway, saw little of her mother during the next few
days, and after Mr. Fowler drove to N— one morning, and brought Mrs. Lute home with
him, Mrs. Fowler spent most of her time with her friend, and avoided her little daughter's
society as much as possible.

Mrs. Lute, though she had been much astonished when Mr. Fowler had frankly explained to
her that his was now a teetotal household, was far too well-bred a woman to question him
concerning what his wife had called his "fad;" and though she had been accustomed all her
life to the sparing use of stimulants, she could very well do without them, and was
perfectly satisfied and happy at Greystone.

"So many people are teetotalers nowadays," she remarked pleasantly to Mr. Fowler on one
occasion when she had been several days beneath his roof, "so really you are quite in the
fashion."

"I wish I could think that," he replied, with rather a sad smile.

"Oh, one meets a great many people who are total abstainers!" she assured him. "Why,
Miss Conway tells me she has always been one. It seems drink has been the cause of a
great deal of trouble in her family. And your good Vicar here is a teetotaler too, so he
informed me yesterday. He argues truly that he cannot teach what he does not practise. I
was surprised to hear that even in this quiet little village drink is the curse of the place."

"I believe that is so. There are several notorious drunkards amongst the fishermen, and
one in whom we, as a family, are much interested, on his daughter's account, is likely to
join their ranks."

"You refer to that fine, strong man who took us out boating yesterday, I presume?"
"Yes; Josiah Petherick. He is a most reliable man when sober, but when he has been
drinking—which often happens now, I fear—he is a perfect brute. I have been hearing
many tales to his discredit lately, and this morning I was told on reliable authority in the
village, that he spends nearly all his earnings at the 'Crab and Cockle' now, and begrudges
the money for the household accounts. Last night, he went home more intoxicated than
usual—actually mad drunk—and smashed up some of the furniture in his cottage, after
which he turned his little daughter out-doors. The poor child was forced to beg a night's
lodging from Mrs. Moyle at the village shop, and to-day, all Yelton is talking about it."

A faint exclamation of dismay caused Mrs. Lute and Mr. Fowler, who had been conversing
in the garden, close outside the drawing-room window, to look around. They encountered
Mrs. Fowler's shocked gaze. Hearing them talking, she had come to the window and had
overheard all that had been said.

"Oh, Henry, that poor Salome!" she cried, her blue eyes full of tears. "Have you seen her
to-day?"

"No; but the Vicar has. Hearing what had happened, he went down to Petherick's cottage
the first thing this morning. Salome had just returned and was doing her utmost to put the
place to rights, and her father had gone out in his boat in a very humbled, repentant state
of mind, after having apologised to her for his abominable behaviour, and having promised
he would not act so madly again."

Mrs. Fowler sighed, whilst Mrs. Lute said gravely, "Let us hope he will keep his word."

"He will not, without he gives up the drink," Mr. Fowler rejoined, with conviction in his
tone. "No, he will go from bad to worse until, in one of his drunken frenzies, he will do
something he will never cease to regret—perhaps some injury to his child."

Mrs. Fowler sank into a chair looking pale and perturbed, whilst her husband and friend
drifted into another channel of conversation. The news she had heard about the Pethericks
had upset her, and when, a short while later, Margaret entered the room, the first question
she put to her was to ask if she had seen Salome that day.

"No, mother," the little girl answered. "Why?" she added, struck by the almost frightened
expression on Mrs. Fowler's face.

She listened in silence, her colour alternately coming and going, to all there was to tell,
then exclaimed "Oh, I am sorry! Poor Salome! And it rained heavily last night. Perhaps she
will come up to the church this evening to hear me practise the organ. Oh, I hope she will!
When are you coming to hear me play again, mother?"

"Oh, some time! Perhaps when Mrs. Lute has gone."

"Wouldn't Mrs. Lute come too?"

"Oh, I don't think you play well enough—" Mrs. Fowler paused abruptly, conscious of the
hurt look on her little daughter's countenance. She had avoided Margaret lately, and
Margaret had noticed the fact with acute pain. What had she done that her mother should
abstain from meeting her gaze? An insurmountable barrier seemed to have sprung up
between mother and child.

Margaret's heart was full of bitterness as she turned away and left the room. She had
endeavoured to show no feeling but that of love for her mother since her recent
indisposition, but it had been impossible for Mrs. Fowler not to remark a slight difference in
her manner, of which Margaret was unconscious herself. She thought she read reproach in
the little girl's eyes, and shrank sensitively from being alone with her. She was ashamed in
the presence of her own child.

Had Margaret grasped the truth of the situation, she would have judged her mother less
harshly; but failing to do so, she was deeply pained, and told herself that her mother liked
her less than ever. Upon Gerald, Mrs. Fowler lavished all her affection. She would listen to
his chatter untiringly, talking gaily in return; and, however much he teased her, she always
found excuses for him.

Miss Conway did not give Margaret a music lesson that evening, for Mrs. Fowler requested
her to accompany Mrs. Lute and herself for a walk, and to bring Gerald with her, so
Margaret went alone to the church.

She practised for an hour, then dismissed the boy who had blown the organ for her, and
was leaving the church when she caught sight of a small figure huddled up in a corner of a
pew near the west door. It was Salome.

"Is it you, Salome?" Margaret cried, hastening to her side, and laying her hand tenderly
upon her shoulder. The lame girl lifted her bowed head, and in the dim light, Margaret saw
she had been weeping, though there were no tears in her brown eyes now, and her lips
were curved in a smile.

"I've been asleep," she said. "I'm glad you didn't go without speaking to me, Miss
Margaret. I came in whilst you were practising, and I was tired. I—I had little rest last
night."

"I know—I've heard," Margaret returned hurriedly, as the other paused in confusion.

"Have you, miss? I'm glad of that, for now I shan't have to tell you, and I'd rather not talk
of it."

"Of course you would rather not."

"I was tired," Salome proceeded; "so tired and worn out, that I couldn't help crying. My
poor legs ached so—but oh! not so badly as my heart. The pain here—" clasping her hands
against her breast—"was almost more than I could bear. Then I fell asleep, and I was
dreaming when you awoke me."

"I hope it was a pleasant dream," Margaret said softly.

"Oh, very pleasant! I thought it was evening time—getting almost dark as it is now—and
service was going on in the church. I could hear father's voice singing with the choir. You
can't imagine what a deep, beautiful voice father has, Miss Margaret. I was listening to it
when you awoke me. But I'm glad you happened to catch sight of me, though you did
disturb my dream. Is anything wrong, miss?" And the lame girl's brown eyes peered
anxiously at her companion.

"I am not happy," Margaret confessed with a sigh.

"Mrs. Fowler is not ill again?" Salome questioned in concerned tones.

"No, no; she is perfectly well. We have an old friend visiting us, and that makes it pleasant
for mother."

"I saw a strange lady in church with you on Sunday, miss; and father took her out in his
boat with Mrs. Fowler. She treated him very handsomely, he said; but I wish she hadn't."
"Why?" Margaret asked in surprise.

"Because he spent the money she gave him in drink at the public-house, and that was the
beginning of the trouble last night. There, I didn't mean to talk of it, but, naturally, it's
uppermost in my mind."

"Of course it is. Did you—did you get wet last night?"

"Dripping to the skin," Salome admitted. "But Mrs. Moyle—God bless her!—took me in and
gave me dry clothes, and a bed too. But oh, I couldn't sleep for wondering what father was
up to at home. You can never be certain what a drunken body will not do. How selfish I
am, though, to talk so much of myself. Won't you tell me what troubles you, Miss
Margaret?"

"No, Salome, I can't," was the low response. "It's something I can never speak of."

"Then try not to think too much about it, miss," the lame girl advised. "If I were you, I'd
tell my trouble to God, and leave it to Him. That's what I do with mine."

"By your trouble, you mean your father?" Margaret inquired diffidently.

"Yes, miss. Do you remember saying to me that night you and I had been sitting in the
porch, and father had come home drunk—'May God help you, Salome'? I think you saw
God was the only One who could help me; and I want to remind you of those words of
yours, because maybe He's the only One who can help you too! Why, how dark it's getting
think, miss, we had better go."

She reached for her crutches as she spoke, and swung herself out of the pew into the
aisle. Margaret followed her silently through the west door into the churchyard. It was
nearly dark, for it was September now, and the evenings were shortening fast; but whilst
they lingered at the churchyard gate, the edge of the moon appeared in the eastern
horizon, and slowly sailed upwards into the cloudless sky, illuminating the old grey church,
surrounded with the graves of the quiet dead, and shedding its pale light on the little
village and the broad surface of the peaceful sea.

"How beautiful!" cried Margaret. "It is the harvest moon, so father said last night. But,
Salome, it is late for you to be out alone. Shall I walk part of the way home with you?"

"Oh, no, thank you, miss! I shall be perfectly safe. Besides, it's quite light now the moon
has risen. Good night, miss."

"Good night, Salome."

Margaret went back to Greystone in a very thoughtful frame of mind. She considered that
her friend was not half so depressed as she herself would have been under similar
circumstances, not reflecting that Salome's trouble had come upon her by slow degrees. It
had taken five years to change Josiah Petherick from a sober, God-fearing man into the
desperate drunkard who had turned his only child out-doors last night.

Meanwhile, Salome, as she swung herself down the hill, wondered what could be amiss
with Miss Margaret. She had grown deeply attached to the pretty, fair-haired girl, who had,
from the first time they had met, treated her with the greatest kindness and consideration.
She had given her several lessons in the art of knitting, and the lessons had given pleasure
to teacher and pupil alike; and both were much interested in the progression of the sock
which Margaret was rather laboriously making under the other's instructions.
The "Crab and Cockle" was lit up brightly as Salome passed by, and she sighed as she
heard the hoarse murmur of voices within, for she imagined her father to be there; but
great was her surprise on reaching home, to find him in the little yard at the back of the
cottage bathing his face at the pump. When he came into the kitchen, she noticed not only
that he was intoxicated, but that he had a cut on his cheek, and one eye was turning
black. She asked no questions, however, for she saw he was in one of his worst moods; so
she lit the lamp in silence, and proceeded to set the supper on the table. Presently, he
remarked that he had quarrelled with someone, and they had come to blows.

"'Twas Silas Moyle—" he was beginning, when, in her surprise, she interrupted him.

"Silas Moyle!" she echoed, for the baker was a steady, peace-loving man.

"Yes," he nodded; "the canting humbug!" He looked at her sullenly, even resentfully, she
thought; and she trembled with fear as she noticed his shaking hands and quivering lips.

Then he burst forth into a volley of oaths, and she gleaned that he was angry with her for
having sought refuge with the Moyles on the preceding night. He stormed against her,
against Silas and his wife, against everyone, in short, who had remonstrated with him that
day. Apparently, his neighbours had been telling him some plain home truths which had
not been pleasant hearing.

"Oh, father, don't say any more!" Salome pleaded in great distress. "Oh, please don't
swear so frightfully! What could I do? You turned me out of my home, and I did not know
where to go, except to Mrs. Moyle's. Oh, don't speak of her like that! It was out of pure
kindness she took me in. You would not have had me spend the night out of doors in that
lashing rain, would you? Oh, father, you are cruel indeed!"

The reproach in her sorrowful eyes enraged him beyond measure.

"You dare stand up for those who insult your father!" he shouted in a fury; and clutching
her by the shoulder, he shook her savagely, then flung her from him with some violence.
Losing her hold of her crutches, they fell to the ground; and staggering forward with a
frightened cry, she knocked her forehead against a corner of the mantelpiece, and the next
moment, lay white and unconscious at her father's feet.

CHAPTER XII.
A Brief Repentance.

IT was about half-past nine o'clock that same night, that the Vicar of Yelton opened the
Pethericks' garden gate, and stepping determinedly up the path, rapped at the door of the
cottage.

Returning from an evening's fishing an hour previously, he had been stopped in the village,
on his way home, by Silas Moyle, who had poured into his ears an excited tale about
Josiah, whom Silas had taken upon himself to remonstrate with upon his cruel conduct to
his daughter on the previous night, with the result that Josiah, inflamed with drink, had
struck him, and had received in return a black eye and an injured cheek.
"You know, sir, I'm a man of peace, and don't hold with brawling," Silas had said; "but I
own I lost my temper to-night. Josiah's a regular blackguard when he's drunk."

"It was foolish to remonstrate with a drunken man," Mr. Amyatt had answered. "Had you
spoken to him in his sober moments, your words might have had a very different effect.
Where is Josiah now?"

"Gone home, swearing vengeance against me, sir. My great fear is, that he'll do some
harm to poor Salome."

That had been the Vicar's fear, too. So, instead of going straight to the Vicarage as he had
intended, he had retraced his footsteps to the Pethericks' cottage, and now stood waiting
for admittance at the door.

As no one answered his knock, he rapped louder and listened. For a few moments there
was silence; then came the sound of heavy, dragging footsteps, and Josiah opened the
door and demanded hoarsely who was there.

"It is I, Petherick," the Vicar answered, stepping uninvited across the threshold.

"Where is your daughter?" he asked, fixing his eyes upon the fisherman, who stood staring
at him in a dazed fashion.

Receiving no reply, he turned into the kitchen, an exclamation of horror and dismay
breaking from his lips, as he caught sight of the small, slight figure of the lame girl lying
near the fireplace. Very tenderly, he lifted her and placed her in the one easy-chair in the
room, calling to Josiah to bring some water immediately.

"Water!" questioned Josiah stupidly. "What for? She's dead. She's been dead this half-hour
or more; but I haven't dared touch her. Salome, Salome! I've killed you, my poor maid!
Your own father's killed you, Salome;" and flinging himself on his knees at his daughter's
side, Josiah wept like a child.

"Don't be foolish, Petherick," Mr. Amyatt said sternly. He had been feeling Salome's pulse,
and had ascertained that it beat, though feebly. "She's not dead, but she has fainted.
Come, be a man. Pull yourself together, and fetch some water at once."

"Not dead," Josiah cried excitedly. "Are you sure? Then, God be thanked for that!" He rose
from his knees, and went into the yard, returning in a few seconds with a basin of water.

Very gently, the Vicar bathed Salome's white face until her eyelids flickered and a faint
colour stole to her lips. Josiah, sobered by fright, explained what had happened, not
sparing himself, but declaring he would not have injured a hair of his daughter's head, if he
could have helped it, for Mr. Amyatt must know how much he loved her.

"Tush, Petherick!" the Vicar responded impatiently, mingled pity and disgust in his tone.
"Don't talk to me of your love for Salome. A nice way you have of showing it. Last night,
you turned her out of doors in torrents of rain—"

"I was drunk," Josiah interposed hastily. "She riled me, she did, with her tears, and—"

"Having been drunk is no excuse," Mr. Amyatt interrupted in his turn. "Not content with
your scandalous conduct last night, you must continue your unmanly behaviour to-day and
knock Salome down, and—"
"No, no," said a weak voice at this point. It was Salome who spoke. She had regained
consciousness, and was sufficiently herself to understand what was going on. "No, no," she
repeated, "it was an accident. He did not mean to hurt me."

"I shook her, and—and pushed her," Josiah admitted, looking thoroughly ashamed of
himself. "I meant her no harm, sir, but I was rough, and—oh, Salome, can you ever forgive
me?" And the wretched man turned appealingly to the little figure in the easy-chair.

"Yes," was the faint response. "I—I don't think I'm much hurt."

"Are you in pain?" Mr. Amyatt asked gently.

"No, sir; but my forehead is very sore. I must have knocked it in falling."

"Yes, poor child, I see you did; there is a big bruise coming."

"I suppose I fainted?" she inquired, looking wistfully from the Vicar to her father, who was
regarding her in gloomy silence.

"Yes, that was it, you fainted," Mr. Amyatt replied. "But you are much better now; and
after a good night's rest, I have no doubt you will be almost yourself again."

Salome glanced at her crutches, which were lying on the ground. Mr. Amyatt picked them
up and placed them against her chair.

"Thank you, sir," she said gratefully, lifting her brown eyes shyly to his face, which
expressed so plainly his sympathy and concern. "I think I shall be all right now," she
added. "Thank you for being so kind."

"Does that mean you wish me to go?" he queried with a smile. "Well, I don't know that I
can do any good by remaining longer. Good night, my dear."

He took Salome's small, thin hand and pressed it reassuringly, then beckoned to her father
to follow him to the door.

"You must have someone in to see to that poor child to-night, Petherick," he said gravely.
"Can you call upon assistance from one of your neighbours?"

Josiah shook his head doubtfully.

"Then, shall I ask Mrs. Moyle to look in and help get Salome to bed?" the Vicar suggested.

A dull, shamed flush rose to the fisherman's face, and he began to stammer something
about not knowing whether Mrs. Moyle would come inside his doors, seeing he had
quarrelled with her husband only that evening; but the Vicar cut him short.

"I know all about that, Petherick. Silas Moyle told me the tale himself not an hour ago. I
heard it with great regret, for Silas is a sincere well-wisher of yours, and he and his wife
would do anything in the world for your little girl. You had better let me send Mrs. Moyle to
you—that is, if she will come; perhaps she will not. Shall I be the bearer of an apology
from you to Silas?"

"I'm sorry I hit him," Josiah acknowledged truthfully.

"Shall I tell him that?"


"If you please, sir. I admit, I deserved what he gave me. Oh, sir, I've had a fine fright this
night! I thought I'd killed Salome."

"You might have done so."

"Then I should have been a murderer," Josiah groaned. "I'm a bad lot, sir, that's what I
am."

He seemed perfectly sober now, so Mr. Amyatt spoke a few solemn words to him, imploring
him, for the sake of his little daughter, to give up the drink, and take the pledge. Josiah
declared he would think seriously about doing so, and went back to Salome, whilst the
Vicar hurried in search of Mrs. Moyle.

At first, that good woman, kind-hearted and fond of the lame girl though she was, said
nothing would make her enter the doors of one who had so insulted her husband as had
Josiah. But, on Silas adding his entreaties to the Vicar's, she gave in and betook herself to
the Pethericks' cottage, where, after having assisted Salome upstairs, and put her to bed,
she declared her intention of remaining for the night. She was not going to leave "that
poor motherless lamb," as she called Salome, "in the house alone with a maniac."

Josiah Petherick did not look much like a maniac, however, as he sat in the kitchen
listening to Mrs. Moyle's scathing remarks as she put away the supper things. He was in a
wonderfully subdued and repentant frame of mind, and sat with his elbows on the table
and his aching head resting in his hands. At last, he could bear his companion's home
thrusts no longer, and exclaimed, "Good gracious, woman, do you imagine I don't know
what a beast I am?"

"Well, if you do know it, why don't you turn over a new leaf?" she inquired. "I mind what a
steady young fellow you used to be. You're too easily led, that's what you are. Make up
your mind to give up the drink."

"I can't—not entirely; it's got too strong a hold on me," he confessed.

"That's the way of it. Well, you'll have to choose between drink and Salome—that's my
opinion—for you're killing her by slow degrees."

Josiah started; but Mrs. Moyle did not pursue the subject further. She told him he had
better go to bed, and make no noise to disturb his daughter. Accordingly, he took off his
boots and crept upstairs in his stockinged feet, whilst Mrs. Moyle, having put out the lamp,
and ascertained that the door of the cottage was securely fastened, returned to Salome,
whom she found sleeping peacefully.

The next day, Josiah put himself in the way of Silas Moyle, and actually apologised to him
for having struck. And Silas was magnanimous and forgave him, though it must be
admitted, he regarded the other's black eye and swelled cheek with a sense of satisfaction.
They were marks that would remain to remind Josiah of his ill conduct for some days to
come.

Salome was poorly for nearly a week, and the first occasion on which she showed herself
in the village, she was met on all sides by commiserating looks and words which showed
her plainly that everyone was quite aware that her father had been the cause of her
accident. The sympathy thus evinced towards her, though kindly offered, cut her to the
heart, and she returned home utterly miserable.

During the days which followed, Mr. Amyatt made several ineffectual attempts to induce
Josiah to take the pledge. No, Josiah said, there was no need for him to do that; but he
had made up his mind to turn over a new leaf, nevertheless, and the Vicar would see that
he could take his glass of beer like other men and be none the worse for it. The Vicar
shook his head at that, but Josiah was not to be moved, so the matter was, perforce,
dropped.

Margaret was the first of the inmates of Greystone to hear of Salome's accident. Mrs.
Moyle gave her full particulars of it one morning when she had an errand at the shop. And
before going home, she went to inquire for her lame friend, whom she found sitting in the
porch of the cottage with such a bright, hopeful expression on her pale countenance, that
she was surprised, and remarked upon it.

"Oh, I am ever so much better!" Salome assured her with a smile.

"Are you really?" Margaret asked anxiously. "You have a nasty bruise on your forehead."

"Oh, that's nothing, indeed, miss! Have you heard how it happened? They haven't made
you believe father did it on purpose, have they? He wouldn't hurt me for anything, if he
could help it. Oh, Miss Margaret, I do believe father means to be steadier for the future!"

"Is he going to be a teetotaler, then?" Margaret inquired eagerly.

"No—o," was the dubious reply, "I'm afraid not; but he says he won't take more beer than
is good for him. Oh, I know he has said that lots of times before, but I believe he really
means it now. Indeed, he has been quite different these last few days—more like what he
used to be when dear mother was alive."

This was quite true. Mrs. Moyle's words that he would have to choose between drink and
Salome had made a strong impression upon Josiah, and had caused him to notice how
much thinner and paler his little daughter had become of late. His conscience reproached
him on her account, for he knew that she was not very strong, and that she worked hard,
besides which, his unsteady habits were a constant trouble to her. In his repentance, he
felt capable of denying himself anything for her sake—except drink, and that, he solemnly
vowed he would take sparingly.

Seeing that Salome was so hopeful that her father meant to live a sober life for the future,
Margaret had not the heart to express the doubts which occupied her mind; but on her
return to Greystone, she saw, by Mr. Fowler's grave face when she explained the situation
to him, that he did not believe Josiah's repentance would be lasting, and trembled for the
safety and happiness of her little lame friend.

"Don't you think he means to keep his word, and not get intoxicated again?" she
questioned.

"Oh, yes!" Mr. Fowler replied, "I think he means all he says. But I feel sure, if he does not
give up drink altogether, it will soon have the mastery over him again. I believe he loves
Salome very dearly, but he loves drink even better than his little daughter, or he would be
willing to give it up for her sake. Poor Salome! I greatly fear she has more trouble in store
for her with that father of hers."

This proved to be the case. For before a fortnight had quite elapsed since Salome's
accident, Josiah was drinking heavily again, and spending his evenings at the "Crab and
Cockle," as he had done of old. His repentance had been of brief duration; and the lame
girl's face grew pinched, and her dark brown eyes larger and sadder, as her father
squandered more and more of his earnings at the village inn; whilst Silas Moyle grumbled

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