Charlie was hired by Ajax this year as a corporate executive and a member of the board of directors. During the current year, Charlie received the following payments or benefits paid on his behalf.
Salary payments ............................................................................ $ 92,000
Contributions to qualified pension plan ................................................. 10,200
Qualified health insurance premiums .................................................... 8,400
Year-end bonus .............................................................................. 15,000
Annual director's fee ........................................................................ 10,000
Group-term life insurance premiums (face=$40,000) ................................. 750
Whole life insurance premiums (face=$100,000) ...................................... 1,420
Disability insurance premiums (no special elections) ................................. 4,350
a. Charlie uses the cash method and calendar year for tax purposes. Calculate Charlie's gross income for the current year.
b. Suppose that Ajax agrees to pay Charlie an additional $100,000 once Charlie completes five years of employment. Will this agreement alter Charlie's gross income this year relative to your part (a) answer? Explain.
c. Suppose that in exchange for his promise to remain with the firm for the next four years, Ajax paid Charlie four years of director's fees in advance. Will this arrangement alter Charlie's gross income this year relative to your part (a) answer? Explain.
d. Assume that in lieu of a year-end bonus Ajax transferred 500 shares of Bell stock to Charlie as compensation. Further assume that the stock was listed at $35 per share and Charlie would sell the shares by year-end, at which time he expected the price to be $37 per share. Will this arrangement alter Charlie's gross income this year relative to your part (a) answer? Explain.
e. Suppose that in lieu of a year-end bonus Ajax made Charlie's house payments (a total of $23,000). Will this arrangement alter Charlie's gross income this year relative to your part (a) answer? Explain.