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Hugh, a self-employed individual, paid the following amounts during the year:

Real estate tax on Iowa residence $3,800
State income tax 1,700
Real estate taxes on land in Puerto Rico (held as an investment) 1,100
Gift tax paid on gift to daughter 1,200
State sales taxes 1,750
State occupational license fee 300
Property tax on value of his automobile (used 100% for business) 475

What is the maximum amount Hugh can claim as taxes in itemizing deductions from AGI?

User Tim Malone
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1 Answer

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Final answer:

Hugh can itemize and deduct a total of $7,375 for the taxes paid, including real estate tax, state income tax, property taxes on investment land, state occupational license fee, and property tax on a business automobile. Gift tax and state sales tax (since state income tax is claimed) are not deductible.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question pertains to the maximum amount Hugh can claim as taxes for itemizing deductions from Adjusted Gross Income (AGI). Among the expenses listed, Hugh can include the real estate tax on his Iowa residence, the state income tax, real estate taxes on land in Puerto Rico, state sales taxes, the state occupational license fee, and the property tax on his automobile used for business. However, the gift tax paid is not deductible as a personal tax.

The maximum amount Hugh can claim is calculated as follows:

  • Real estate tax on Iowa residence: $3,800
  • State income tax: $1,700
  • Real estate taxes on investment land in Puerto Rico: $1,100
  • State sales taxes: $1,750 (Note: Hugh can choose either state income tax or state sales tax, but not both. He would likely choose the higher amount, so in this case, the state income tax would be used.)
  • State occupational license fee: $300
  • Property tax on business automobile: $475

Summing the deductible taxes (excluding state sales taxes since state income tax is higher), the total is $7,375.

User Koedlt
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