Final answer:
The maximum amount of business interest expense that can be deducted this year under the business interest limitation for Renee's proprietorship can be calculated by using the business interest expense limitation rule. This rule limits the deductibility of business interest expense to 30% of the adjusted taxable income of the business.
Step-by-step explanation:
The maximum amount of business interest expense that could be deducted this year under the business interest limitation can be calculated by using the business interest expense limitation rule. According to this rule, deductibility of business interest expense is limited to 30% of the adjusted taxable income of the business. The adjusted taxable income is the taxable income of the business with certain adjustments, including adding back the business interest expense, depreciation, and amortization. In this case, to determine the maximum business interest expense deduction, we need to calculate the adjusted taxable income of Renee's proprietorship.
Step 1: Calculate Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (EBITDA)
EBITDA = Revenue - Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) - Sales Commissions Paid - Depreciation
EBITDA = $85 million - $48.5 million - $6.4 million - $12.7 million = $17.4 million
Step 2: Calculate Adjusted Taxable Income
Adjusted Taxable Income = EBITDA + Business Interest Income - Business Interest Expense
Adjusted Taxable Income = $17.4 million + $5 million - Business Interest Expense
Step 3: Calculate Maximum Business Interest Expense Deduction
Maximum Business Interest Expense Deduction = 30% of Adjusted Taxable Income
Max Business Interest Expense Deduction = 0.3 * Adjusted Taxable Income
Now that we have calculated the EBITDA and can determine the maximum business interest expense deduction for Renee's proprietorship.