Brandon, an individual, began business four years ago and has sold §1231 assets with $5,000 of losses within the last 5 years. Brandon owned each of the assets for several years. In the current year, Brandon sold the following business assets:
Assuming Brandon's marginal ordinary income tax rate is 35 percent, what effect do the gains and losses have on Brandon's tax liability?
A. $25,000 ordinary income, $8,750 tax liability.
B. $25,000 §1231 gain and $3,750 tax liability.
C. $13,000 §1231 gain, $12,000 ordinary income, and $6,150 tax liability.
D. $12,000 §1231 gain, $13,000 ordinary income, and $6,350 tax liability.
E. None of these.
Answer: C. $13,000 §1231 gain, $12,000 ordinary income, and $6,150 tax liability.