Municipal Bond Interest

Interest on municipal bonds is generally excluded from federal income tax when the bond is issued by: A state The District of Columbia A U.S. possession A political subdivision of any of the above The bond must finance a public purpose. Even when interest is excluded,...

Income Exclusions

Certain types of income are not taxable. These exclusions reduce gross income without requiring deductions. Many exclusions apply only when specific statutory conditions are met. Major Income Exclusions Municipal bond interest Interest from state and local government...

Reporting Gains and Losses

Gains and losses fall into two broad categories: ordinary and capital. The classification determines: Whether the gain/loss is recognized How it is taxed Which rate applies Capital gains generally receive more favorable tax treatment than ordinary gains. To analyze...

Disposition or Sale of Property

A disposition occurs when a taxpayer sells, exchanges, abandons, or otherwise transfers property. Gain or loss is generally: Amount realized includes selling price minus selling expenses such as commissions, advertising, legal fees, and seller‑paid loan charges....

Basis of Property

Basis represents a taxpayer’s investment in property for tax purposes. It determines gain or loss on disposition and affects deductions for depreciation, amortization, depletion, and casualty losses. When property is used partly for business or investment and partly...

Additional Income

Taxpayers report various types of income on Schedule 1 (Additional Income). These items may require separate forms, depending on the source. Farm, business, and rental income are also reported on Schedule 1 but are covered in other sections. Refund of State and Local...