$1.$ Cheryl incurred $$8,700$ of medical expenses in November $2022.$ On December $5,$ the clinic where she was treated mailed her the insurance claim form it had prepared for her with a suggestion that she sign and return the form immediately to receive her reimbursement from the insurance company by December $31.$ What tax issues should Cheryl consider in deciding whether to sign and return the form in December $2022$ or January $2023?$

$2.$ Michaela owns a principal residence in Georgia, a townhouse in San Francisco, and a yacht in Cape Cod. All of the properties have mortgages on which Michaela pays interest. What are the limitations on Michaela$$s mortgage interest deduction? What strategy should Michaela consider to maximize her mortgage interest deduction?

$3.$ Mason Gregg$$s car was destroyed by a flood that occurred in a Federally declared disaster area. Unfortunately, his insurance had lapsed two days before he incurred the loss. Mason uses his car for both business and personal use. Mason, who is self$-$employed, does not have adequate savings to replace the car and must borrow money to purchase a new car. He is considering using his credit card, at a $12\%$ interest rate, to obtain funds for the purchase. Margaret, his wife, would prefer to sell some of their stock in Bluebird, Inc., to raise funds to purchase the new car. Mason does not want to sell the stock because it has declined in value since they purchased it and he is convinced that its price will increase in the next two years. Mason has suggested that they obtain conventional financing for the purchase from their bank, which charges $7\%$ interest on car loans. Identify the tax issues and planning considerations related to each of the three alternatives for Mason and Margaret.