A 67-year-old taxpayer retires this year and receives the first payment on an annuity that was purchased several years ago. The taxpayer’s investment in the annuity is $94,500, and the annuity pays $1,000 per month for the remainder of the taxpayer’s life. Based on IRS mortality tables, the taxpayer is expected to live another 20 years. If the taxpayer receives $4,000 in annuity payments in the current year, the nontaxable portion calculated using the simplified method is:
a. $0
b. $1,500
c. $1,800
d. $4,000
e. None of the above