Final answer:
Nicolas' economic income does not exceed his gross income for tax purposes. The $20,000 loss in stock value is unrealized and does not impact his gross income for tax purposes, which remains at $45,000 (his salary). The statement is 2) false.
Step-by-step explanation:
Whether Nicolas' economic income for the year exceeded his gross income for tax purposes can be analyzed by understanding the basic concepts of taxation and income measurement. Nicolas experienced a decrease in his stock value by $20,000, however, this loss is not realized for tax purposes because he did not sell the stock. His salary was $45,000 and after withholding $11,000 in taxes, his after-tax earnings were $34,000. From this, he managed to save $10,000 and spent the remaining $24,000 on living expenses.
Based on the information provided, Nicolas' economic income includes the salary he earned minus the taxes withheld, and it does not account for the decrease in stock value since it was an unrealized loss. Similarly, for tax purposes, the gross income would typically include only the income that is subject to tax, namely his $45,000 salary before taxes, not deduction for the decrease in stock value as it wasn't realized, nor the savings or living expenses. The statement that Nicolas' economic income exceeds his gross income for tax purposes is False. His economic income for personal accounting would be his after-tax salary plus any unrealized gains or losses, while his gross income for tax purposes would only include realized income, such as his salary before taxes.