I have completed the problem at below but am not too satisfied with my rationales. I'd like to have some guidence here in order to get the correct answers. Would you please help. Thanks much!
David K. Gibbs, age 37 and his wife Barbara, age 33, have two children Chris and Ellen, ages 4 and 12. David is employed as an engineer for an oil company, and his wife recently completed a degree in accounting and will begin working for a public accounting firm next year. David has compiled the following information for his 2018 tax return.
For the current year, David received a salary of $170,000. His employer withheld Federal income taxes of $9,000 and the appropriate amount of FICA taxes.
At the annual Christmas party, he received a card indicating that he would receive a bonus of $3,000 for his good work during the year. The bonus check was placed in his mailbox at work on December 30. Since David was out of town for the holidays, he did not pick up the bonus check until January 2.
David and Barbara sold a bond issued by AM&T Inc. on May 30, 2018 for $9,700. Of the $9,700 proceeds, $700 represented the interest accrued to the date of the sale. The Gibbs had purchased the bond (issued at par value of $10,000 on March 1, 2012 for $10,000.
The couple has a $500 U.S. Savings Bond, which they purchased for $300 and gave their daughter two years ago. The proper election was made to report the interest income from the bond annually. The bond’s redemption value increased $30 this year.
David was an instant winner in the state lottery and won $50.
The Gibbs sold 100 shares of stock in JB Corporation for $10,000 on May 1, 2018. They purchased the stock on Jun 01, 2009 for $14,000.
The couple’s itemized deductions were medical expenses of $7,468, interest on their home mortgage of $8,500, state income taxes of $3,750, property taxes on their home of $5,000, and charitable contributions of $2,000.
a. Determine their gross income and adjusted gross income. For partial credit, list each item of income separately.
b. Determine whether they itemize or tax the standard deduction. Support your decision with numerical calculations (in other words, compare their itemized deductions to the standard deduction).
c. Determine their taxable income.
d. Determine their income tax before taking any tax credits.
e. Determine any tax credits.
f. Determine their refund or tax due.