Chapter 1
An Introduction to Tax

SOLUTIONS MANUAL

Discussion Questions

(1) [LO1] Jessica’s friend Zachary once stated that he couldn’t understand why someone would take a tax course. Why is this a rather naïve view?

Taxes are a part of everyday life and have a financial effect on many of the major personal decisions that individuals face (e.g., investment decisions, evaluating alternative job offers, saving for education expenses, gift or estate planning, etc.).

(2) [LO1] What are some aspects of business that require knowledge of taxation? What are some aspects of personal finance that require knowledge of taxation?

Taxes play an important role in fundamental business decisions such as the following:
What organizational form should a business use?
Where should the business locate?
How should business acquisitions be structured?
How should the business compensate employees?
What is the appropriate mix of debt and equity for the business?
Should the business rent or own its equipment and property?
How should the business distribute profits to its owners?
One must consider all transaction costs (including taxes) to evaluate the merits of a transaction.

Common personal financial decisions that taxes influence include: choosing investments, retirement planning, choosing to rent or buy a home, evaluating alternative job offers, saving for education expenses, and doing gift or estate planning.

(3) [LO1] Describe some ways in which taxes affect the political process in the United States.

U.S. presidential candidates often distinguish themselves from their opponents based upon their tax rhetoric. Likewise, the major political parties generally have very diverse views of the appropriate way to tax the public. Determining who is taxed, what is taxed, and how much is taxed are difficult questions. Voters must have a basic understanding of taxes to evaluate the merits of alternative tax proposals offered by opposing political candidates and their political parties.

(4) [LO2] Courtney recently received a speeding ticket on her way to the university. Her fine was $200. Is this considered a tax? Why or why not?

The $200 speeding ticket is not considered a tax. Instead, it is considered a fine or penalty. Taxes differ from fines and penalties because taxes are not intended to punish or prevent illegal behavior.

(5) [LO2] Marlon and Latoya recently started building a house. They had to pay $300 to the county government for a building permit. Is the $300 payment a tax? Why or why not?

The building permit is not considered a tax because $300 payment is directly linked to a benefit that they received (i.e., the ability to build a house).

(6) [LO2] The city of Birmingham recently enacted a 1 percent surcharge on hotel rooms that will help pay for the city’s new stadium. Is this a tax? Why or why not?

The 1 percent surcharge is a tax. The 1 percent surcharge is an earmarked tax – i.e., collected for a specific purpose. The surcharge is considered a tax because the tax payments made by taxpayers do not directly relate to the specific benefit received by the taxpayers.

(7) [LO2] As noted in Example 1-2, tolls, parking meter fees, and annual licensing fees are not considered taxes. Can you identify other fees that are similar?

There are several possible answers to this question. Some common examples include entrance fees to national parks, tag fees paid to local/state government for automobiles, boats, etc.

(8) [LO2] If the general objective of our tax system is to raise revenue, why does the income tax allow deductions for charitable contributions and retirement plan contributions?

In addition to the general objective of raising revenue, Congress uses the federal tax system to encourage certain behavior and discourage other behavior. The charitable contribution deduction is intended to encourage taxpayers to support the initiatives of