Special Webinar Question: Income Tax Fundamentals and Calculations

Posted by Adam Scherer, CFP®, MS

May 14, 2020

This question is a part of BIF's Special Webinar series which was created to help students affected by the July 2020 CFP® Exam postponement to September 2020.


Taxable income is determined by deducting which of the following from Adjusted Gross Income (AGI)?

  1. Standard Deduction
  2. Itemized Deductions
  3. Exclusions
  4. The greater of the Standard Deduction or Itemized Deductions

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Correct answer: D. The greater of the Standard Deduction or Itemized Deductions.


Instructor insight:

The Individual Tax Formula is as follows:

1) Gross Income

      minus

2) Exclusions & Pretax items

      minus

3) Adjustments to Income

      equals

4) ADJUSTED GROSS INCOME (AGI)

      minus

5) Standard Deduction or Itemized Deductions

      equals

6) Taxable Income

      minus

7) Credits

      plus

8) Other Liabilities

      equals

9) Refund or Liability


CFP® Exam insight:

Implement a ‘deductive’ approach in your tax planning studies by starting at the high-level (e.g. the Individual Tax Formula) and begin to incorporate more detail and nuance as you progress. This will help you to frame concepts within the broader architecture of the tax flow. Ultimately, this approach will lead you to a more comprehensive understanding of taxes in personal financial planning.

 

Topics: Practice Questions