CPA-Regulation Exam Questions & Answers
CPA Regulation • AICPA
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Sample CPA-Regulation Questions
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Tom and Joan Moore, both CPAs, filed a joint 1994 federal income tax return showing $70,000 in taxable income. During 1994, Tom's daughter Laura, age 16, resided with Tom. Laura had no income of her own and was Tom's dependent.
Determine the amount of income or loss, if any that should be included on page one of the Moores' 1994 Form 1040.
The Moores received a $500 security deposit on their rental property in 1994. They are required to return the amount to the tenant.
'A' is correct. $0. The security deposit is not taxable income because the Moores are required to return it when the tenant leaves. If the deposit is applied to damages in a later tax year, the portion the Moores retain would be income to them in the year they retain the deposit, and the money they spend to repair the damage would be a deduction to them.
Which payment(s) is(are) included in a recipient's gross income?
I . Payment to a graduate assistant for a part-time teaching assignment at a university. Teaching is not a requirement toward obtaining the degree.
II . A grant to a Ph.D. candidate for his participation in a university-sponsored research project for the benefit of the university.
Choice 'c' is correct.
Tom and Joan Moore, both CPAs, filed a joint 1994 federal income tax return showing $70,000 in taxable income. During 1994, Tom's daughter Laura, age 16, resided with Tom. Laura had no income of her own and was Tom's dependent.
Determine the amount of income or loss, if any that should be included on page one of the Moores' 1994 Form 1040.
The Moores received $8,400 in gross receipts from their rental property during 1994. The expenses for the residential rental property were:

'I' is correct. $2,500. Rental activity net income is reported on page one; the gross income ($8,400) is fully reportable; and all deductions listed (total = $5,900) are fully deductible for a net of $2,500.
Tom and Joan Moore, both CPAs, filed a joint 1994 federal income tax return showing $70,000 in taxable income. During 1994, Tom's daughter Laura, age 16, resided with Tom. Laura had no income of her own and was Tom's dependent.
Determine the amount of income or loss, if any that should be included on page one of the Moores' 1994 Form 1040.
In 1992, Joan received an acre of land as an inter-vivos gift from her grandfather. At the time of the gift, the land had a fair market value of $50,000. The grandfather's adjusted basis was $60,000. Joan sold the land in 1994 to an unrelated third party for $56,000.
'A' is correct. $0. Property received by gift has two bases: one for computing gain and another for computing loss. Joan's basis for gain is the grandfather's adjusted basis ($60,000). Using this basis for gain, Joan has a loss of: $56,000 - $60,000 = ($4,000 loss). Joan's basis for loss is the fair market value of the property on the date of the gift ($50,000). Using this basis for loss, Joan has a gain of: $56,000 - $50,000 = $6,000 gain. In this unusual situation, Joan has neither a gain nor a loss, although the transaction must be reported.
Hall, a divorced person and custodian of her 12-year old child, filed her 1990 federal income tax return as head of a household. She submitted the following information to the CPA who prepared her 1990 return:
* The divorce agreement, executed in 1983, provides for Hall to receive $3,000 per month, of which $600 is designated as child support. After the child reaches 18, the monthly payments are to be reduced to $2,400 and are to continue until remarriage or death. However, for the year 1990, Hall received a total of only $5,000 from her former husband. Hall paid an attorney $2,000 in 1990 in a suit to collect the alimony owed.
* In June 1990, Hall's mother gifted her 100 shares of a listed stock. The donor's basis for this stock, which she bought in 1970, was $4,000, and market value on the date of the gift was $3,000. Hall sold this stock in July 1990 for $3,500. The donor paid no gift tax.
* During 1990, Hall spent a total of $1,000 for state lottery tickets. Her lottery winnings in 1990 totaled $200.
* Hall earned a salary of $25,000 in 1990. Hall was not covered by any type of retirement plan, but contributed $2,000 to an IRA in 1990.
* In 1990, Hall sold an antique that she bought in 1980 to display in her home. Hall paid $800 for the antique and sold it for $1,400, using the proceeds to pay a court-ordered judgment.
* Hall paid the following expenses in 1990 pertaining to the home that she owns: realty taxes, $3,400; mortgage interest, $7,000; casualty insurance, $490; assessment by city for construction of a sewer system, $910; interest of $1,000 on a personal, unsecured bank loan, the proceeds of which were used for home improvements. Hall does not rent out any portion of the home.
What amount should be reported in Hall's 1990 return as alimony income?
Choice 'd' is correct. None of the payments received should be considered alimony income. Hall would only claim alimony income if total receipts from her former spouse exceeded $7,200 (the required child support).
Rule: In the event of payments consisting of both child support and alimony, child support obligations will be satisfied first.

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