Question

Leigh sued an overzealous bill collector and received the following settlement:

Damage to her automobile that the collector attempted to repossess: $3,300
Physical damage to her arm caused by the collector: $15,000
Loss of income while her arm was healing: $6,000
Punitive damages 80,000

a. What effect does the settlement have on Leigh's Gross income?
b. Assume that Leigh also collected $25,000 of damages for slander to her personal reputation caused by the bill collector misrepresenting the facts to Leigh's employer and other creditors. Is this $25,000 included in Leigh's gross inome? Explain.

Answer 1

Answer and Explanation:

a.

The punitive damages of $80,000 should be involved in the gross income of leigh. The amounts like $15,000 and $6,000 should not be included as this is a physical personal injury except the $3,300 that for the damaged as this amount is untaxable also here the capital is recovered because it decreased the basis by $3,300

b. The $25,000 should be included in the gross income of leigh as it does not occur from the physical personal injury