A taxpayer owned 1,000 shares of common stock in Barlo Corporation, which manufactures automobile parts. The taxpayer’s cost basis in the stock was $82,700. Last week, Barlo declared bankruptcy, and its board of directors issued a news release that Barlo common stock should be considered worthless. Determine the character of the S82,700 loss if the taxpayer is

a. An individual who purchased the stock as an investment.
b. A corporation that purchased the stock as an investment.
c. Barlo's parent corporation that owned 96 percent of Barlo's outstanding common stock.