Question

Wanda owns and operates a restaurant on the north side of Cleveland. She is considering opening a second restaurant on the south side of town and incurs $13,600 of investigation expenses. In July of the current year, Wanda decides not to open a second restaurant. How much of the investigation expenses can Wanda deduct in the current year?

Answer 1

Answer:

$5,000

Explanation:

Taxpayers can claim deduction on start up cost incurred by them to start an organization. Investigation cost is one such start up cost that can be claimed as deduction. In the first year lesser of following two conditions is claimed as deduction

1. $5,000

2. Original cost incurred.

In this case, investigation cost incurred by Wanda is $13,600 which is more than $5,000, she can claim deduction of $5,000 in the first year or current year. Rest of the amount is spread across 180 months starting from the month when operations begin.