Question

Five years ago, Tom loaned his son John $20,000 to start a business. A note was executed with an interest rate of 8%, which is the Federal rate. The note required monthly payments of the interest with the $20,000 due at the end of ten years. John always made the interest payments until last year. During the current year, John notified his father that he was bankrupt and would not be able to repay the $20,000 or the accrued interest of $1,800. Tom is an accrual basis taxpayer whose only income is salary and interest income. The proper treatment for the nonpayment of the note is:a. No deduction.b. $3,000 deduction.c. $20,000 deduction.d. $21,800 deduction.e. None of the above.

Answer 1

Answer:

The answer is: B) $3,000 deduction

Explanation:

Tom can make only a $3,000 deduction this year since this loss qualifies as a capital loss. He doesn't have any capital gains to offset this loss. Therefore this year he is limited to make a $3,000 deduction against ordinary income and the remainder must be carried over to subsequent years.