Robert and Maisie have one child, Gillie (4). Both parents work full time, and their AGI in 2020 was $194,375. During the year, they paid $8,140 in childcare expenses for Gillie. Robert's employer has decided to offer a daycare flexible spending account (FSA) option for 2021. What would you recommend, and why? I n the end, either option is a good choice because they both reduce their tax. They can claim $5,000 on the FSA and then claim the remaining $3,140 against the Child and Dependent Care Credit. Therefore, Robert should open the FSA. Because their marginal tax rate + FICA tax is more than the Child and Dependent Care Credit percentage they would receive, the FSA is a better option. Robert should not open the FSA; since he would only be able to fund up to $5,000, it wouldn't cover all their expenses.

Ava and her husband, Leo, file a joint return and are in the 24% tax bracket in 2019. Ava’s employer offers a child and dependent care reimbursement plan that allows up to $5,000 of qualifying expenses to be reimbursed in exchange for a $5,000 reduction in the employee’s salary (Ava’s salary is $75,000). Because Ava and Leo have two minor children requiring child care that costs $5,800 each year, Ava is wondering if she should sign up for the program instead of taking advantage of the credit for child and dependent care expenses. Analyze the effect of the two alternatives. How would your answer differ if Ava’s salary was $30,000, their AGI was $25,000, and their marginal tax rate was 10%?

In 2020, Amanda and Jaxon Stuart have a daughter who is 1 year old. The Stuarts are full-time students and they are both 23 years old. Their only sources of income are gains from stock they held for three years before selling and wages from part-time jobs.What is their earned income credit in the following alternative scenarios if they file jointly? Use Exhibit 8-10. (Leave no answer blank. Enter zero if applicable.)   a. Their AGI is $15,000, consisting of $5,000 of capital gains and $10,000 of wages.

Suppose you are28 and married. You and your spouse file for income taxes jointly. You are in the 25% tax bracket. You are considering a few personal investment issues. If your employer provides the following matching schedule on your contribution to the 401 (k): 100% matching for the first 3% of your salary and then 50% matching for the next 2% of your salary. You plan to work for the current employer for 3-7 years before you start your own business. Which one of the following seems to be the best investment strategy?  a.Invest all your income inside your regular taxable investment account. b.First, contribute 5% of your salary to your 401 (k), then invest the rest in your IRAs and Roth IRA account, finally invest the remaining money, if any, in your regular taxable investment account. c.Contribute 5% of your salary to your 401 (k), and then invest all the rest money in your regular taxable investment account. d.First, fully fund your IRA and Roth IRA account, then fund your401 (k),…