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Daily Challenge — September 9, 2026

tax accounting · tax formula

Marguerite Hollingsworth is a single orthopedic surgeon based in Scottsdale, Arizona, who earns a substantial salary from a large regional hospital system while also operating a part-time sports medicine consulting practice that generated $92,700 in net self-employment income. She received ordinary dividends of $5,300 (of which $3,700 are qualified) from a diversified brokerage portfolio, a $650 interest payment from a high-yield savings account, and realized a $5,500 long-term capital gain from selling appreciated shares of a biotechnology ETF. Her above-the-line deductions of $14,400 consist entirely of deductible self-employment tax, and she itemizes deductions totaling $38,750, which include mortgage interest on her Scottsdale condo, state and local taxes capped at $10,000, and charitable contributions to a medical research foundation.

Correct Answers

A G I

$375,250.00

gross Income

$389,650.00

tax Liability

$86,309.75

taxable Income

$336,500.00

refund Or Due Amount

$50,049.75

refund Or Due Direction

Balance Due

Step-by-Step Solution

TAX FORMULA — Marguerite Hollingsworth (SINGLE)

GROSS INCOME
  Wages:                  $285,500.00
  Interest Income:        $650.00
  Ordinary Dividends:     $5,300.00
  Business Income:        $92,700.00
  Capital Gain:           $5,500.00
  = Gross Income:         $389,650.00

  − Above-Line Deductions: $14,400.00
  = AGI:                  $375,250.00

DEDUCTIONS
  Standard Deduction (single): $14,600.00
  Itemized Deductions:    $38,750.00
  Deduction Used:         $38,750.00 (itemized)
  = Taxable Income:       $336,500.00

TAX CALCULATION
  Ordinary Taxable Income: $327,300.00
  Ordinary Tax:            $84,929.75
  LTCG + Qualified Div:   $9,200.00
  LTCG Tax:               $1,380.00
  − Credits:              $0.00
  = Tax Liability:        $86,309.75

  − Taxes Withheld:       $36,260.00
  = Tax Due:             $50,049.75