Question

In December 2014, Todd, a cash basis taxpayer, paid $1,200 fire insurance for the calendar year 2015 on a building he held for rental income. Todd deducted the $1,200 insurance premiums on his 2014 tax return. He had $150,000 of taxable income that year. On June 30, 2015, 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 2014 return and claim $500 less insurance expense.
b. Todd should include the $500 in 2015 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 2015 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 2015 gross income in accordance with the tax benefit rule.

Explanation:

It should be noted that due to the fact that Todd is a cash basis taxpayer, he'll be able to deduct the one-year prepayment for insurance in the year that it was paid, 2014.

In this case, he deducted $1,200, then his net cost will be ($1200 - $500) = $700. In this case, Todd should then include the $500 refund in gross income for 2015 under the tax benefit rule.