Answer:
John should include $1,600 as rental income on his Year 4 tax return as a result of the $2,000 payment.
Explanation:
As a cash-basis taxpayer, John's taxable income is based on the actual cash receipts and payments made in the accounting period. Â The refundable part of the rent should not be included as rental income since it is a security deposit that would be returned at the end of the lease period. Â If John were an accrual-basis taxpayer, the rental income to be included would have been only $800 representing income for Year 4.