Research Problem 3. John and Janet Baker are husband and wife and maintain a household in which the following persons live: Calvin and Florence Carter and Darin, Andrea, and Morgan Baker.
• Calvin and Florence are Janet's parents, who are retired. During the year, they receive $19,000 in nontaxable funds (e.g., disability income, interest on municipal bonds, and Social Security benefits). Of this amount, $8,000 is spent equally between them for clothing, transportation, and recreation (e.g., vacation) and the balance of $11,000 is invested in tax-exempt securities. Janet paid $1,000 for her mother's dental work and paid the $1,200 premium on an insurance policy her father owned on his own life. Calvin also had medical expenses, but he insisted on paying for them with his own funds.
• Darin is the Bakers' 18-year-old son who is not a student but operates a pool-cleaning service on a part-time basis. During the year, he earns $14,000 from the business, which he places in a savings account for later college expenses.
• Andrea is the Bakers' 19-year-old daughter who does not work or go to school. Tired of the inconvenience of borrowing and sharing the family car, during the year, she purchased a Camaro for $21,000. Andrea used funds from a savings account she had established several years ago with an inheritance from her paternal grandfather.
• Morgan is the Bakers' 23-year-old daughter. To attend graduate school at a local university, she applied for and obtained a student loan of $20,000. She uses the full amount to pay her college tuition.
The Bakers' fair rental value of their residence, including utilities, is $14,000, while their total food expense for the household is $10,500.
1. How many dependency exemptions will the Bakers be entitled to claim for the year? Explain your answer.
2. From a planning standpoint, how might the Bakers have improved the tax result? o Partial list of research aids: o Reg. §§ 1.152–1(a) and –1(c). o Your Federal Income Tax (IRS Pub. 17), Ch. 3.

The Bakers are able to claim two dependents, one personal and one spouse exemption. The two dependents are Darin and Florence because neither used their money to provide for themselves. Darin put his money he earned from his part time job into a savings account for college later on. Thus his parents paid for his food, shelter, and other necessities. Florence spent around 4,000 on clothes but Janet paid 1,000 for the dental work. This would make Florence a dependent for Janet only if Calvin and Florence weren’t filing together and owed taxes. If they were expecting a refund, Janet can still claim her. Calvin paid for his own medical expenses so he cannot be a dependent.
Since more used student loans to pay for tuition, this makes her supporting herself. She cannot be claimed. Andrea purchased a car with her inheritance. This shows that she provide a large amount of support for herself. She cannot be claimed as a dependent.