Question

Henrietta, the owner of a very successful hotel chain in the Southeast, is exploring the possibility of expanding the chain into a city in the Northeast. She incurs $74,000 of expenses associated with this investigation. Based on the regulatory environment for hotels in the city, she decides not to expand. During the year, she also investigates opening a restaurant that will be part of a national restaurant chain. Her expenses for this are $54,200. She proceeds with opening the restaurant, and it begins operations on May 1.

Determine the amount that Henrietta can deduct in the current year for investigating these two businesses.

In your computations, round the per-month amount to the nearest dollar and use rounded amount in subsequent computations.

a. The deductible amount of investigation expenses related to expansion of her hotel chain into another city: $ 74,000 (Correct)

b. The deductible amount of investigation expenses related to opening a restaurant: $ ?

Answer 1

1) Solution: $74,000

Working: Although Henrietta decides not to pursue the hotel chain expansion into another city, the investigation expenses of $74,000 would be deductible in the current year

2) Solution: $3,173

Working: As Henrietta is in the hotel business, all expenses of investigation associated with the hotel business would be deductible in the year incurred or paid. As was was not in the business of restaurant, thus is allowed to deduct only part of these investigation expenses. Of the $54,200, an amount of $800 [$5,000 - $4,200 (reduction for more than $50,000)] is allowed as immediately expensed. The balance of $53,400 ($54,200 - $800) will be amortized over a period of 180 months at the rate of $297 per month ($53,400 ÷ 180)

$800 + $297*8 months = $3,173