Bad Debt Expense
Response to the following problem:
Mickey is self-employed. In 2013, Mickey loaned a business associate $10,000 so that the associate could stay in business. Mickey's business would suffer if his associate went out of business. In 2014, the business associate filed for bankruptcy and Mickey was told that he might not receive more than $1,000 back from the loan. In 2015, Mickey receives $800 from the bankruptcy court. Discuss the tax consequences of the loan to Mickey, including the amount and year in which he can take a bad debt deduction.