Answer:
Total deduction for the year = $48,956
Explanation:
You can deduct investigation expenses but only for new business that is in the same industry as your current business. In this case, Henrietta incurred in $42,500 expenses trying to expand her hotel business. Total deduction for the current year = $42,500.
If the investigation expenses are not related to your current business, e.g. restaurants, then you can capitalize the costs and amortize them only if you actually carried out the expansion.
You can deduct up to $5,000 during the first year but this amount decreases by $1 for every dollar above $50,000. Total immediate deduction = $4,400. The remaining $46,200 must be amortized over 180 months. Amortization per month = $46,200 / 180 = $257
Total amortization for year 1 = 8 months x $257 = $2,056
Total deduction for the year = $42,500 + $4,400 + $2,056 = $48,956