Faculty Syllabus

Course Requirements

Instructional Methodology:

The course is designed to help the student understand income tax returns and the laws pertaining to income taxes for individuals, including sole proprietors.

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 and exams. Students that are new to distance education should review the ACC Distance Education General Information at https://online.austincc.edu/faq/.

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 and exams. Students that are new to distance education should review the ACC Distance Education General Information at https://online.austincc.edu/faq/.

Required Textbook/Materials:

FUNDAMENTALS OF TAXATION 2025

By CRUZ; EDITION:   EVERGREEN RELEASE

You must have the 2025 version and it needs to have the Connect Access Code. 

This course is part of ACC's "First Day Access” program. ACC has partnered with the bookstore and the publisher to provide you with digital course materials on the first day of class at a discounted rate.  The cost of the course materials will be included as an additional charge when you register.

If you participate in the "First Day Access" program, you will gain access to the eBook and Connect through my Blackboard site. You will use Connect for a variety of assignments including homework and labs. Connect is an integrated, online learning system that gives you 24/7 access to your study tools and required assignments.

If you acquire the eBook as part of your registration, you will have the option to buy a loose-leaf paper version of the book for an extra fee through the local Austin bookstores.

If you do not wish to participate in the program, you may "Opt Out". If you "Opt Out" of receiving and paying for your materials via this program, you will be responsible for obtaining those on your own. Instructions for “opting out” will be available on my Blackboard site.

Do not go to the publisher website to purchase this text or to join the trial period! You purchased both the eBook and Connect when you registered.

To recap, there are three options:

1. All Digital Access at the time of registration: E-book and Connect.
2. Digital Access with a Physical Textbook: Students who participate in the program will be eligible to purchase a low cost print upgrade in the ACC bookstore for an additional cost.
3. Independent purchase of textbook with Connect: If you have purchased a used textbook or have "Opted Out" of the program, you must still purchase an access code for Connect.

Computer hardware and software requirements: This course will utilize Blackboard.  Students must have access to a computer that has internet capabilities. You will also need to be able to access various internet web sites and online lecture material. You will also need to complete your homework using Connect, Microsoft Excel, Word, and ProConnect (or similar professional tax software). Instructions about how to access this FREE software will be provided in BlackBoard.

Students will use the BlackBoard learning management system for assignment instructions, etc.  Connect should be accessed through BlackBoard to avoid integration issues.

Competency 1:

Chapter 1: Introduction to Taxation, the Income Tax Formula, and Form 1040

Chapter 2: Expanded Tax Formula, Form 1040, and Basic Concepts

Chapter 3: Gross Income: Inclusions and Exclusions

Chapter 4: Adjustments for Adjusted Gross Income

Competency 2:

Chapter 5: Itemized Deductions

Chapter 6: Self-Employed Business Income
                  (Line 3 of Schedule 1 and Schedule C)

Chapter 7: Capital Gains and Other Sales of Property
                  (Schedule D and Form 4797)

Chapter 8: Rental Property, Royalties, and Income from Flow-Through Entities
                  (Line 5, Schedule 1, and Schedule E)

Competency 3:

Chapter 9: Tax Credits
                  (Form 1040, Lines 19, 20, 27-29, and 31, Schedule 3, Lines 1-13)

Chapter 11: Retirement and Other Tax-Deferred Plans and Annuities

Chapter 12: Special Property Transactions

SCANS is the Secretary’s Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills. Please go to http://irt.austincc.edu/ids/curriculum/scans.php for complete definitions and explanation of SCANS.  This list summarizes the SCANS competencies addressed in this particular course.

1. Student exhibits responsibility:  Exerts a high level of effort and perseverance toward goal attainment, works hard to become excellent at doing tasks by setting high standards, paying attention to details, working well and displaying a high level of concentration even when assigned an unpleasant task; and displays high standards of attendance, punctuality, enthusiasm, vitality and optimism in approaching and completing tasks. 
2. Student acquires information:   Identifies need for data, obtains them from existing sources or creates them, and evaluates their relevance and accuracy. Competently performing the tasks for acquiring data and evaluating information includes posing analytical questions to determine specific information needs, selecting possible information and evaluating its appropriateness, and determining when new information must be created.
3.  Student communicates information:  Selects and analyzes information and communicates the result to others using oral, written, graphic, pictorial, or multi-media methods. Competently performing the tasks of communicating and interpreting information to others includes determining information to be communicated, identifying the best methods to present information (i.e. overheads, handouts, etc.), and if necessary, converting to desired format and conveying information to others through a variety of means including oral presentation and written communication.

Course Objectives:

The core concepts are:

1.  Identify the determinants of taxable income and the statutory exclusions that are permitted.

2.  Become familiar with the deduction compoent of the basic tax model.

3.  Learn various other components that relate to the theme of tax liability determination.

4.  Become familiar with the flow of the tax determinants through the government tax forms.

5.  Apply the tax law to tax return preparation by hand as well as with software solutions.