How and when is income taxable? To whom will it be taxable? This Nutshell summarizes the U.S. federal income tax law for individuals, defines income, and identifies the different types of deductions available to a taxpayer. The book explains statutory inclusions and exclusions from gross income, profit-related deductions, mixed deductions, personal deductions, other allowances, and the rules for determining taxable income. Sales and dispositions of property, taxation of capital gains and losses, and special tax rates are covered. The book also explores the policy and purposes of, and alternatives to, existing legal rules.