COURSE DESCRIPTION                                     

This course includes basic instruction in the tax laws as currently implemented by the Internal Revenue Service, providing a working knowledge of preparing taxes for individuals. Emphasis on federal income tax law; individual income, exclusions, deductions, credits, gains, etc.; and incorporating these concepts into individual tax filing requirements.

Prerequisites: Before enrolling in ACNT 1331, you must have completed ACCT 2301 or ACNT 1403 with a C or better grade. Basic computer skills utilizing internet, word processing, spreadsheet (Excel), and presentation (Power Point) software are recommended for all accounting courses. If you have any questions, consult with an accounting advisor.

INSTRUCTIONAL METHODOLOGY

Students will work independently by reading each chapter, watching the virtual classroom lecture videos, and completing assignments in Connect. Taxation has a conceptual side and an applied side. The course is designed to help the student understand income tax concepts and apply them to various comprehensive tax simulations.

This is a distance education course which is different than traditional face-to-face learning. Students will need to manage their time and study skills in order to be a successful online student. Students are responsible for completing the course requirements.

All students will use Blackboard learning management system for assignment instructions, as well as accessing assignments, exams, and collaboration. Students that are new to distance education should review the ACC Distance Education General Information at https://online.austincc.edu/faq/.

Blackboard: You will access all course content through Blackboard. If you have not previously taken a course utilizing Blackboard, you will find a link to the login procedures on the Blackboard login page: http://acconline.austincc.edu. Otherwise, the login username and password you previously used will still work.  You must have an activated ACC eID number to log into blackboard. For information on how to activate your ACC eID please refer to http://www.austincc.edu/acceid/. 

Lab Activities: Lab assignments will be completed online. Assignments will consist of a combination of Tax Returns, Research Assignments, Data Analytics, and CPA exam prep work. 

Homework:  Homework will be completed using McGraw-Hill Connect. Information about Connect will be provided in the blackboard course. All students are expected to complete homework when assigned.  Please arrange your outside commitments and personal situation to allow you to devote the necessary time to be successful in this class.

Chapter Quizzes:  Chapter quizzes will be given online and will be multiple-choice questions.

Exams:  All exams must be proctored. Exams will be completed using Blackboard Respondus Monitor or Proctorio. Exams will be a combination of multiple-choice and workout problems. More information about how to complete exams will be provided in Blackboard. If you must miss an exam, please contact me BEFORE the end of the testing window. Make-up exams will be given at my discretion. Failure to notify the instructor will result in a zero (“0”).

Extra Credit: A maximum of 15 extra credit points may be earned during the semester. There will be no curve for overall course grade or for any exams. Extra credit can be earned by completing the LearnSmart activity for each chapter. Each LS activity is worth 1 point and it must be completed by the exam date that covers that chapter. In addition, extra credit can be earned by attending various school accounting functions. Information about these functions will be posted on the Blackboard site.

Missed or Late Work: Late homework, quizzes, and labs will be accepted up until the last day of the exam covering that material (Exam 1 materials deadline—TBA, Exam 2 materials deadline—TBA, and Exam 3 materials deadline—TBA). There will be no penalty for late assignments. Once the late assignment is past the exam deadline, it will not be accepted (NO EXCEPTIONS).

Where to go if you have questions: My preferred contact method is email. If you would like to contact me virtually, please sign up for a time slot to meet in our virtual classroom in BlackBoard.  If you cannot meet during my office hours, we can schedule an appointment for a more convenient time.  Regardless of how you contact me, you will receive a reply from me within 48 hours (during the weekdays) and by Monday at 5:00 pm (for questions posed on the weekend). I usually do not answer email questions on weekends after 3pm on Fridays.

IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS THAT ARE NOT PERSONAL IN NATURE OR SPECIFIC TO YOUR GRADES, ETC., PLEASE POST TO THE DISCUSSION BOARD IN BLACKBOARD.  This way, other students may be able to answer your question faster or others may also benefit from your question. Examples of using the discussion board include questions regarding deadlines, clarification regarding instructions and/or class expectations. Occasionally, I may use the Discussion Board to post non-urgent information or items that do not necessarily warrant an announcement in Blackboard.  We could also have a discussion regarding topics beyond the scope of the class.  Students are welcome and encouraged to answer questions on the Discussion Board, but please refrain from blurting out exact answers or posting screenshots that give away a portion of the project.

Please go to the Discussion Board in BlackBoard and subscribe to the Forum: General Questions.  By subscribing, you will be emailed when anyone posts to the Discussion Board.  You also have the option of posting anonymously.  I find this encourages students to post when they would not otherwise.  I do expect discussions to be respectful.  If anonymity is abused, that privilege will be revoked.  Accessing the information from the Discussion Board is expected for the course.

Where to go if you have complaints: You may review the complaint and grievance policy online: http://www.austincc.edu/handbook/policies2.php. Please attempt to resolve the complaint immediately with me directly. If the complaint cannot be resolved, then my immediate supervisor is the Accounting Faculty Department Chair, Dr. Larry Stephens.

GRADING SYSTEM

Basis for Grading:

You must have a C or better to take ACNT 1347, Taxation for Partnership and Corporations or ACNT 1393, Special Topics in Taxation.

REQUIRED TEXTBOOK/MATERIALS

McGraw-Hill’s Taxation of Individuals and Business Entities 2023 Edition, 14e, (with Connect 18-month Printed Access Code).  Spilker/Ayers/Barrick/Lewis/Robinson/Weaver/Worsham. 

Your Connect access has been included in your tuition payment for the course.  There is no code necessary to register for Connect with the First Day Access Program.  If you are asked for payment or a code when registering for Connect through Blackboard, please notify your instructor immediately and select the “Courtesy Access” option.  If you would like a loose-leaf, print version of the textbook (Connect comes with the full e-book), they are available for around $27.00 at the ACC Bookstore.

Student Registration Instructions:  https://vimeo.com/281883800

Computer hardware and software requirements: This course will utilize Blackboard. This course requires that you have high-speed internet access. You must be able to view audio and video files in flash. Your computer will need to have a sound-card or speakers. You must have access to Adobe Reader. You must have access to Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. During the semester you may also use the following software: ProConnect Tax Online. Instructions about how to access this FREE software will be provided in Blackboard.

ACC provides Microsoft Office365 at no charge to students. Office365 is a line of subscription software and services offered by Microsoft. The suite includes applications such as Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and other Microsoft Office applications and services. For information on how to access Office365 visit https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/education/products/office

STUDENT TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT

Technology support services: Austin Community College provides free, secure drive-up WiFi to students and employees in the parking lots of all campus locations. WiFi can be accessed seven days a week, 7 am to 11 pm. Additional details are available at https://www.austincc.edu/sts.

Students who do not have the necessary technology to complete their ACC courses can request to borrow devices from Student Technology Services. Available devices include iPads, webcams, headsets, calculators, etc. Students must be registered for a credit course, Adult Education, or Continuing Education course to be eligible. For more information, including how to request a device, visit http://www.austincc.edu/sts.

Student Technology Services offers phone, live-chat, and email-based technical support for students and can provide support on topics such as password resets, accessing or using Blackboard, access to technology, etc. To view hours of operation and ways to request support, visit http://www.austincc.edu/sts.

COURSE RATIONALE/OBJECTIVES

Course Rationale: The goals and objectives of this course prepare students for (1) completing degree requirements; (2) obtaining or improving job skills; (3) qualifying for a business or accounting job; (4) working as an entrepreneur; (5) fulfilling personal goals; and/or (6) understanding individual income tax returns and the federal income tax law.

Course Objectives:

1. Identify the determinants of taxable income and the statutory exclusions that are permitted,
2. Become familiar with the deduction component of the basic tax model,
3. Learn various other components that relate to the theme of tax liability determination,
4. Understand the purposes of the Federal tax law and the legislative, administrative, and judicial sources of Federal tax law, and
5. Research and report on assigned tax questions.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

See https://sites.google.com/a/austincc.edu/prof-nobles/home/acnt-1331/acnt-1331-learning-objectives

SCANS (Secretary’s Commission on achieving necessary skills): Please go to http://www.austincc.edu/mgmt/scans.php for complete definitions and explanation of SCANS.  Many of the SCANS listed on this site apply to this course including manages money, participates as a member of a team, serves clients/customers, acquires and evaluates information, organizes and maintains information, uses computers to process information, applies technology to task, arithmetic, mathematics, decision making, problem solving, and reasoning.