Federal Income Tax    Accounting 431    Fall 2006

Henry B. Brock, CPA, MBA                Office:  Bldg. 94 room 261

Telephone:    909-869-2369                  Email:    hbbrock@csupomona.edu

Web Page:  http://www.csupomona.edu/~hbbrock

Office Hours:   TTh 1:30 - 3:00 PM

Text:    Concepts In Federal Taxation 2007 Edition by Murphy & Higgins

Course Objectives:

1.  Identify the concepts, principles, and doctrines of the federal tax law.

2.  Learn to research, read, and analyze the tax law.

3.  Know the responsibilities of tax practice which includes the ethical implications.

4.  Prepare research papers and business communications which meet the legal and ethical   requirements of tax practice.

5.  Sharpen critical thinking skills in addressing client situations.

6.  Learn a framework for tax planning.

Determination of Grade:

Exams:  One mid-term and one final exam.  There are no make-up exams unless there is an extraordinary circumstance that must be documented. Each exam is 100 points.

Participation:  It is expected that students will attend all classes and be prepared to discuss the subject matter assigned. Leaving early or coming in late will count as an absence.  Participation includes attendance, assignments, and speaking in class during the discussion. The problems assigned will be taken up on the date they are due. Participation is 50 points.

Written assignments:  All assignments submitted must by word processed and have a cover sheet with the student’s name, class time, and the name of the assignment.  Hand written work or work without a cover page will not be graded or read. Work turned in late will be reduced by 5 points each day including weekends.  Your assignment will be graded based the appropriateness of your answer, following directions, grammar and spelling, and documentation.  There are two written assignments: Tax Research (individual work) and Tax Planning (group project).  See requirements on web page. Each assignment is 100 points.

There is a total of 450.  A = 418 - 450; B = 369 - 417;  C = 324 - 368;  D = 270 - 323; below 270 is an F.

 

 

Cell Phones:  If you leave your cell phone on for an emergency, you must inform your professor prior to the beginning of class.  All other ringing of cell phones is prohibited.

Grade appeals:  You may appeal your grade on any written assignment or exam within one week of the time you are given your exam (assignment) or it was available to you.  All appeals must be word processed and include the reason for the appeal and any sources that support your appeal.  The assignment or exam will be re-graded taking into consideration your appeal and returned to you.

Written Assignment Requirements: All assignments submitted must by word processed and have a cover sheet with the student’s name, class time, and the name of the assignment.  Hand written work or work without a cover page will not be graded or read. Work turned in late will be reduced by 5 points each day including weekends.  Your assignment will be graded based the appropriateness of your answer, following directions, grammar and spelling, and documentation.  There are two written assignments: Tax Research (individual work) and Tax Planning (group project).  See requirements on web page. Each assignment is 100 points. There is an example of a tax research case on the library web page http://opac.library.csupomona.edu/search/p.  You will be given the data to complete the tax planning project.

The University has strict guidelines for Academic Integrity in the University Catalog.  All forms of violating academic integrity will be reported to Judicial Affairs.

In all your written assignments you must not take credit for another's work.  The definition in the catalog is as follows:

"Plagiarism is intentionally or knowingly presenting words, ideas or work of others as one’s own work. Plagiarism includes copying homework, copying lab reports, copying computer programs, using a work or portion of a work written or created by another but not crediting the source, using one’s own work completed in a previous class for credit in another class without permission, paraphrasing another’s work without giving credit, and borrowing or using ideas without giving credit." University Catalog (p.49)

 

 

 

 


 


 

Schedule of Assignments

Date

Topic

Assignments

9/21

Introduction

 

9/26

Chapter one - Federal Income Taxation - An Overview

Problems: 43,44,51,53,54,56,57,59,61,64,65

9/28

Chapter two - Income Tax Concepts

Problems: 22,26,28,30,31,33,35,38,39,42,49,50,58

10/3

Chapter two

Issues: End of chapter

10/5

Chapter three - Income Sources

Problems: 30,33,35,38,40,42,46,50,52,58,66,69,79

10/10

Chapter three 

Issues: End of chapter

10/12

Chapter four - Income Exclusions

Problems: 21,24,27,32,33,41,43,46,49,54,55,60,64

10/17

Chapter four

Issues: End of chapter

10/19

Mid-term Exam  - Chapters 1 - 4

 

10/24

Chapter five - Introduction to Business Expenses

Problems: 27,29,34,37,39,41,43,47,50,53,55,59,66,69 Tax Research Due.

 

10/26

Chapter five

Issues: End of chapter

10/31

Chapter six - Business Expenses

Problems: 27,29,33,35,38,43,47,50,57,70,77

11/2

Chapter six

Issues: End of chapter

11/7

Chapter seven - Losses - Deductions and Limitations

Problems: 17,21,24,31,33,37,43,46,51,57,63,68,72

11/9

Chapter seven

 

Issues: End of chapter

Tax Return Due.

11/14

Chapter eight - Taxation on Individuals

Problems: 30,33,34,38,40,42,45,48,53,57,63,65,69,76

11/16

Chapter eight

Issues: End of chapter

11/21

Discuss Tax Planning Case

Tax Planning Case Due

11/28

Video

 

11/30

Review

 

12/5

Final 1:40 pm