Final answer:
Elk's taxable income is calculated by subtracting operating expenses and net capital loss from operating income, resulting in a taxable income of $73,000.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question revolves around calculating the taxable income of Elk, a C corporation. Considering the provided information, Elk has operating income of $370,000 and operating expenses of $290,000, resulting in a net operating income of $80,000 ($370,000 - $290,000). Additionally, Elk has a long-term capital gain of $10,000 and a short-term capital loss of $17,000.
The capital gain and loss will offset each other, and the remaining net capital loss of $7,000 ($17,000 - $10,000) can be deducted from the net operating income, ultimately reducing Elk's taxable income. Therefore, Elk's taxable income can be calculated as follows: $80,000 (net operating income) - $7,000 (net capital loss) = $73,000.