Question

In December 2019, Todd, a cash basis taxpayer, paid $1,200 fire insurance for the calendar year 2020 on a building he held for rental income. Todd deducted the $1,200 insurance premiums on his 2019tax return. He had $150,000 of taxable income that year. On June 30, 2020, he sold the building and, as a result, received a $500 refund on his fire insurance premiums. As a result of the above:
a. Todd should amend his 2019 return and claim $500 less insurance expense.
b. Todd should include the $500 in 2020 gross income in accordance with the claim of right doctrine.
c. Todd should add the $500 to his sales proceeds from the building.
d. Todd should include the $500 in 2020 gross income in accordance with the tax benefit rule.
e. None of these choices are correct.

Answer 1

Answer:

D) Todd should include the $500 in 2020 gross income in accordance with the tax benefit rule.

Explanation:

Since Todd is a cash basis taxpayer, he included the $1,500 insurance premium in his 2019 tax return. Cash basis taxpayer report revenues or expenses when the cash is received or paid, not when the service is provided.

Since he received a $500 refund in 2020, he should include it in his 2020 tax return. As a cash basis taxpayer, any money received is considered income.