Final answer:
In scenario a, Sheryl's tax liability would be $0 as her income falls below the standard deduction amount for dependents. In scenarios b and c, her tax liability would also be $0 since her income is still below the standard deduction amount. In scenario d, her tax liability on qualified dividends would be $0 as they are taxed at a lower rate.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine Sheryl's tax liability for the year in each of the given scenarios, we need to calculate her taxable income and then use the appropriate tax rates.
a. In scenario a, Sheryl received $7,000 from a part-time job, which is her only source of income. Since she is 16 years old, she is subject to the dependent filing status. Her tax liability would be $0 because her income falls below the standard deduction amount for dependents.
b. In scenario b, Sheryl received $7,000 of interest income from corporate bonds, which is her only source of income. Again, as a 16-year-old dependent, her tax liability would be $0 since her income is below the standard deduction amount.
c. In scenario c, Sheryl received $7,000 of interest income from corporate bonds, which is her only source of income. However, she is now 20 years old and a full-time student. As a non-dependent, her tax liability would be $0 because her income falls below the standard deduction amount.
d. In scenario d, Sheryl received $7,000 of qualified dividend income, which is her only source of income. As a 16-year-old dependent, her tax liability on qualified dividends would be $0 because qualified dividends are taxed at a lower rate.