Question

Hank, a calendar-year taxpayer, uses the cash method of accounting for his sole proprietorship. In late December, he performed $30,000 of legal services for a client. Hank typically requires his clients to pay his bills immediately upon receipt. Assume his marginal tax rate is 32 percent this year and will be 35 percent next year, and that he can earn an after-tax rate of return of 12 percent on his investments. Use Exhibit 3.1. a. What is the after-tax income if Hank sends his client the bill in December? b. What is the after-tax income if Hank sends his client the bill in January? (Do not round intermediate calculations. Round your answer to the nearest whole dollar amount.) c. Should Hank send his client the bill in December or January? December January d. What is the after-tax income if Hank expects his marginal tax rate to be 24 percent next year and sends his client the bill in January? (Do not round intermediate calculations. Round your answer to the nearest whole dollar amount.) e. Should Hank send his client the bill in December or January if he expects his marginal tax rate to be 32 percent this year and 24 percent next year? December January

Answer 1

Answer:

Hank

a. After-tax income if bill is sent in December

= $30,000 * 0.68 (1 - 0.32) = $20,400

Return on investment of $20,400 * 1.01% = $20,604

b. if bill is sent in January

= $30,000 * 0.65 (1 - 0.35) = $19,500

c. Hank should send the bill in December.

d. with marginal tax rate = 24% next year, after-tax income

= $30,000 * 0.76 (1 - 0.24) = $22,800

e. He should send his bill in January.

Explanation:

a) Data:

Value of legal services for a client = $30,000

Marginal tax rate = 32% this year and 35% or 24% next year

After-tax rate of return = 12%

b) The after-tax income represents the amount of Hank's revenue that remains after tax has been deducted or paid.  It is what belongs to Hank after the taxman has taken his cut.