The balance sheet value of a firm's inventory is $60,000. Suppose that the firm purchases supplies at a cost of $3,500 and adds them to inventory. A day later, the market value of the recently purchased supplies changes to $1,000. Assuming no other changes to inventory, and using the historical cost method, what is the final balance sheet value of inventory?
Note: Students with prior accounting experience should not apply the monthly "lower of cost or market" adjustment. This is a day-to-day fluctuation.

You are chairman of the board of a successful technology firm. there is a nominal federal corporate tax rate of 35 percent, yet the effective tax rate of the typical corporation is about 12.6%. your firm has been clever with use of transfer pricing and keeping money abroad and has barely paid any taxes over the last 5 years; during this same time period, profits were $28 billion. one member of the board feels that it is un-american to use various accounting strategies in order to avoid paying taxes. others feel that these are legal loopholes and corporations have a fiduciary responsibility to minimize taxes. one board member quoted what the ceo of exxon once said: “i’m not a u.s. company and i don’t make decisions based on what’s good for the u.s.” what are the alternatives? what are your recommendations? why do you recommend this course of action?

The master manufacturing company has just announced a tender offer for its own common stock. master is offering to buy up to 100% of the company's stock at $20 per share contingent on at least 64% of the outstanding shares being tendered. after the announcement of the offer, the stock closed on the nyse up 2.50 at $18.75. a customer has 100 shares of master stock in his cash account. the customer tells you that he wishes to "cash out" his position. you should recommend that the customer:

Which of the following is true concerning the 5/5 lapse rule? a) the 5/5 lapse rule deems that a taxable gift has been made where a power to withdraw in excess of $5,000 or five percent of the trust assets is lapsed by the powerholder. b) the 5/5 lapse rule only comes into play with a single beneficiary trust. c) amounts that lapse under the 5/5 lapse rule qualify for the annual exclusion. d) gifts over the 5/5 lapse rule do not have to be disclosed on a gift tax return.