Joe carter owns 15 apartment buildings. During the year, Joe
replaced the carpeting in many of the apartments because the costs associated
with replacing the carpeting are relatively small in comparison with the gross
rents, Joe is considering expensing the costs are repairs and maintenance.

– Discuss
the key factors that should be considered when determining whether an item
should be expensed.

– Speculate
how Joe Carter arrived at his decision to expense the carpets replaced in the
apartments.

– Explain
whether or not you agree with his decision.

Business Expense or Start-Up Expense?

Mark works as a writer for a local newspaper. Ten years ago
he wrote a book about gardening. The book was a moderate success, and he ended
up making about $15,000 from sales of the book. During the current year, mark
had $20,000 of expenses in correction with writing a book dealing with soccer.
The expenses were for travel, meals, lodging, and research. Mark is considering
expensing these items in the current year as trade and business expenses rather
than capitalizing and amortizing them as startup expenses.

– Evaluate
the appropriateness of Mark’f s plan.

– Discuss
any future consequences to Mark related to the tax treatment of the expenses.