Federal Tax Concepts

Course Description

Tax structure and tax principles. Accounting principles and procedures related to tax accounting. Application of tax and accounting principles to specific problems. Prerequisite: ACC 518.

Syllabus

Student Learning Outcomes, Goals, Objectives:

Students successfully completing this course will be able to:

  • Provide a basic knowledge of tax structure and the fundamental skills for decision making regarding tax compliance and planning at the individual taxpayer level.
  • Read and discuss the required assignments including the IRC and Regulations listed in the texts.
  • Prepare written solutions to problem and case assignments.
  • Review problems, cases, and related law.

Course Grading Information:

Activity/Performance Measure Percentage/Points
Midterm Exam 1 20%
Midterm Exam 2 20%
Final Exam (Comprehensive) 20%
Tax Research Projects (2 – 420; 3 - 602) 10%
Tax Return Projects (2 – 420; 3 - 602) 10%
Homework (5 points are for completing course eval) and attendance 20%

Graduate students: All grades below a C become an F due to university rules on graduate student grading.

Grading Scale

Percentage Letter Grade
93.0 – 100%A
90.0 – 92.9%A-
87.0 – 89.9%B+
83.0 – 86.9%B
80.0 – 82.9%B-
77.0 – 79.9%C+
73.0 – 76.9%C
Below 73%F

Attendance/Participation:

Homework (5 points are for completing course eval) and attendance count for 20% of the grade.

Course Materials Purchased by the Students:

  • Prentice Hall’s Federal Taxation 2026 Comprehensive With MyAccountingLab (required; homework and testing done through MAL system; access via First Day program in Canvas)
  • Tax Preparation software for 2024 returns (optional) - any basic Federal only package such as Turbo Tax, H&R Block At Home, or Tax Act

Scholarly Perspectives

This course engages diverse scholarly perspectives to develop critical thinking, analysis, and debate and inclusion of a reading does not imply endorsement.