
to a percentage of the cost of employment-related child and
dependent care expenses, up to a stated maximum amount.
Child support payments
Payments for child support do not constitute alimony, and are,
therefore, not included in gross income by the recipient or
deducted as alimony by the payor.
Child tax credit
A direct reduction in tax liability granted for each qualifying
child under age 17. The child tax credit is phased out based on
the level of modified adjusted gross income.
Closely held corporation
A corporation, the stock ownership of which is not widely dis-
persed. Instead, a few shareholders are in control of corporate
policy and are in a position to benefit personally from such policy.
Community property
Community property is all property, other than separate property,
owned by a married couple. The income from community prop-
erty is generally split equally between husband and wife. The
classification of property as community property is important in
determining the separate taxable income of married taxpayers.
Deferred compensation
Compensation which will be taxed when received or upon the
removal of certain restrictions and not when earned. An example
would be contributions by an employer to a qualified pension or
profit-sharing plan on behalf of an employee. Such contributions
will not be taxed to the employee until the funds are made avail-
able or distributed to the employee (e.g., upon retirement). See
Qualified pension or profit-sharing plan.
Depreciation
The write-off for tax purposes of the cost or other basis of a tan-
gible asset over its estimated useful life or recovery period as
specified in ACRS or MACRS tables.
Direct charge-off metho d
A method of accounting for bad debts whereby a deduction is
permitted only when an account becomes partially or completely
worthless. See Reserve for bad debts.
Earned income
Income from personal services as distinguished from income gen-
erated by property.
Earned income credit
The earned income credit is a refundable credit available to qual-
ifying individuals with income below certain levels.
Education expenses
Employees may deduct education expenses if such items are
incurred either (1) to maintain or improve existing job-related skills
or (2) to meet the express requirements of the employer or the
requirements imposed by law to retain employment status. Such
expenses are not deductible if the education is required to meet
the minimum educational requirements for the taxpayer’s job or
the education qualifies the individual for a new trade or business.
Educational Savings Accoun ts
Taxpayers may contribute a specified amount for themselves, a
spouse, a child, or a grandchild. The contributions are nondeduc-
tible, but earnings may be accumulated and distributed tax free
if used to pay post-secondary education expenses. Contributions
cannot be made after the beneficiary reaches 18.
Entertainment expenses
Such expenses are deductible only if they are directly related to or
associated with a trade or business. Various restrictions and docu-
mentation requirements have been imposed upon the deductibil-
ity of entertainment expenses to prevent abuses by taxpayers.
Exemptions
An exemption is a deduction allowed individual taxpayers in
arriving at taxable income. There are two basic types of exemp-
tions, the personal exemption, available for the taxpayer and his
or her spouse, and the dependency exemption, available for
qualified dependents of the taxpayer.
Fair mark et value
The amount at which property would change hands between a
willing buyer and a willing seller, neither being under any com-
pulsion to buy or sell, and both having reasonable knowledge of
the relevant facts.
First-in, first-out (FIFO)
An accounting method for determining the cost of inventories.
Under this method, the cost of inventory on hand is deemed to
be the cost of the most recently acquired units.
Foreign tax credit or deduction
Both individual taxpayers and corporations may claim a foreign
tax credit on income earned and subject to tax in a foreign coun-
try or U.S. possession. As an alternative to the credit, a deduction
may be taken for the foreign taxes paid.
Gift
A transfer of property for less than adequate consideration. Gifts
usually occur in a personal setting (such as between members of
the same family).
Goodwill
The ability of a business to generate income in excess of a nor-
mal rate on assets due to superior managerial skills, market posi-
tion, new product technology, etc. In the purchase of a business,
goodwill is the difference between the purchase price and the
value of the net assets. Goodwill is an intangible asset which pos-
sesses an indefinite life; however, it is amortized over 15 years
for federal income tax purposes.
Glossary of Tax Terms G-3
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