New York Private Investigator Licensing Exam
Practice Test 70 Questions And Correct
Answers.
Which form is used to file an individual income tax return?
Answer: Form 1040
Rationale: Form 1040 is the standard U.S. individual return used by all taxpayers.
What is the 2024 filing deadline for most taxpayers?
Answer: April 15, 2025
Rationale: Returns are due the 15th day of the 4th month after year-end.
Which document reports wages and tax withheld?
Answer: Form W-2
Rationale: Employers must provide it to employees by Jan 31.
Which income is not taxable?
Answer: Child support received
Rationale: It’s a personal payment, not income under IRC §71.
What form reports interest income?
Answer: Form 1099-INT
Rationale: Issued by banks when interest > $10.
Who must file a tax return?
Answer: Anyone with gross income above their filing-status threshold
Rationale: Thresholds vary by status and age.
Which filing status usually gives the lowest tax rate?
Answer: Married Filing Jointly
Rationale: Highest standard deduction and most favorable brackets.
Which filing status applies to a widow(er) with dependent children within 2
years of a spouse’s death?
, Answer: Qualifying Surviving Spouse
Rationale: Allows continued use of MFJ rates temporarily.
What does AGI stand for?
Answer: Adjusted Gross Income
Rationale: Total income minus “above-the-line” adjustments.
1 Which of the following is NOT “earned income”?
Answer: Interest from savings
Rationale: Earned income requires active work (wages, self-employment).
DEPENDENTS & FILING STATUSES (11 – 20)
1 Which test is NOT part of qualifying-child rules?
Answer: Income test
Rationale: A QC does not have an income limit; qualifying relatives do.
1 A parent provides 60% support for a college student age 20 living away for
school. Dependent?
Answer: Yes, qualifying child
Rationale: Under 24, full-time student, meets residency and support tests.
1 Which dependent type may qualify a taxpayer for Head of Household?
Answer: Qualifying child or qualifying relative who lives with the taxpayer
Rationale: Dependent must occupy home > half year.
1 How long must a dependent live with the taxpayer to meet the residency
test?
Answer: More than half the year
Rationale: Per IRS Publication 501.
1 Which form do divorced parents use to release a dependency claim?
Answer: Form 8332
Rationale: Custodial parent releases the exemption to noncustodial.
1 A single parent with a 5-year-old child qualifies for which filing status?
Answer: Head of Household
Rationale: Provides home > half year for dependent child.
Practice Test 70 Questions And Correct
Answers.
Which form is used to file an individual income tax return?
Answer: Form 1040
Rationale: Form 1040 is the standard U.S. individual return used by all taxpayers.
What is the 2024 filing deadline for most taxpayers?
Answer: April 15, 2025
Rationale: Returns are due the 15th day of the 4th month after year-end.
Which document reports wages and tax withheld?
Answer: Form W-2
Rationale: Employers must provide it to employees by Jan 31.
Which income is not taxable?
Answer: Child support received
Rationale: It’s a personal payment, not income under IRC §71.
What form reports interest income?
Answer: Form 1099-INT
Rationale: Issued by banks when interest > $10.
Who must file a tax return?
Answer: Anyone with gross income above their filing-status threshold
Rationale: Thresholds vary by status and age.
Which filing status usually gives the lowest tax rate?
Answer: Married Filing Jointly
Rationale: Highest standard deduction and most favorable brackets.
Which filing status applies to a widow(er) with dependent children within 2
years of a spouse’s death?
, Answer: Qualifying Surviving Spouse
Rationale: Allows continued use of MFJ rates temporarily.
What does AGI stand for?
Answer: Adjusted Gross Income
Rationale: Total income minus “above-the-line” adjustments.
1 Which of the following is NOT “earned income”?
Answer: Interest from savings
Rationale: Earned income requires active work (wages, self-employment).
DEPENDENTS & FILING STATUSES (11 – 20)
1 Which test is NOT part of qualifying-child rules?
Answer: Income test
Rationale: A QC does not have an income limit; qualifying relatives do.
1 A parent provides 60% support for a college student age 20 living away for
school. Dependent?
Answer: Yes, qualifying child
Rationale: Under 24, full-time student, meets residency and support tests.
1 Which dependent type may qualify a taxpayer for Head of Household?
Answer: Qualifying child or qualifying relative who lives with the taxpayer
Rationale: Dependent must occupy home > half year.
1 How long must a dependent live with the taxpayer to meet the residency
test?
Answer: More than half the year
Rationale: Per IRS Publication 501.
1 Which form do divorced parents use to release a dependency claim?
Answer: Form 8332
Rationale: Custodial parent releases the exemption to noncustodial.
1 A single parent with a 5-year-old child qualifies for which filing status?
Answer: Head of Household
Rationale: Provides home > half year for dependent child.
