Question

In 2018, Faye, a cash-basis individual taxpayer, received an $8,000 bill for Cook County real estate taxes. Believing the amount to be over-stated by $1,000, Faye paid the full amount in 2018 but immediately started an appeal. In June 2019, the matter was settled and she received a $500 refund. Faye itemizes her deductions on her tax returns. Her total itemized deduction exceeded the standard deductions by $3000 in 2018 What would be her best course of action?

A. She should deduct the $8,000 in her 2018 federal income tax return and should report the $500 refund as income in her 2019 federal income tax return.
B. She should not deduct any real estate taxes on her 2018 federal tax return and should deduct $7,500 on her 2019 federal income tax return
C. She should deduct $7,000 on her 2018 federal income tax return and she does not need to include the $500 refund in her 2019 gross income
D. She cannot deduct any amount for the real estate tax on her 2018 income tax return, and should file an amended 2018 federal income tax return in 2019.

Answer 1

As a cash-basis individual taxpayer, Faye should:

A. She should deduct the $8,000 in her 2018 federal income tax return and should report the $500 refund as income in her 2019 federal income tax return.

Step-by-step explanation:

Itemized deductions are the expenses that can be subtracted from Faye's adjusted gross income (AGI) to reduce her tax bill. They are normally listed on Schedule A of Form 1040. Some of the itemized deductions are Home mortgage interest, Property, state, and local income taxes (like the $8,000 bill for Cook County real estate taxes), Investment interest expense, Medical expenses, Charitable contributions, and other miscellaneous deductions.