University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Bryan School of Business and Economics
Department of Accounting and Finance
ACC 420: Federal Tax Concepts - Syllabus for SPRING 2016
T / R 9:30AM - 10:45AM in Bryan 105
Instructor
Office Location
*Office Hours
Office Phone
Email
Tutoring Hours
Last updated
Dr. Jenna Meints, Safe Zone Ally
Bryan 339
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12:30PM – 1:30PM; or, by appointment.
*Anticipated changes posted to Canvas and/or announced in class.
E-mail notice encouraged in case of unexpected, last minute changes.
My TA will hold open office hours and open times on other dates. See
schedule at the end of this syllabus. Updates will be announced asap.
336-334-5647 during office hours; Can set up a time to talk at other times
jmmeints@uncg.edu (do not use Canvas e-mail address)
TBD. In Bryan 335 or as specified in Bryan 105.
January 7, 2016
Prerequisite
ACC 318, Intermediate Accounting I, or equivalent, with a grade of C or better
Course Description
The goal of this course is for you to be able to recognize and to analyze issues that carry tax
implications for individual taxpayers. This course will cover technical details of various tax laws.
You will utilize tax research resources. You will prepare at least one individual federal income
tax return with tax software. You will present tax information to your class colleagues.
Course Objectives
By the end of the course, you should be able to identify the tax reporting implications of the
following issues.
1. Filing status, standard deduction, personal exemptions, dependency exemptions, filing
the return, tax rates, tax rate tables/schedules, and tax rate computation.
2. Definition of gross income, year of inclusion, income sources, items specifically included
in gross income.
3. Items specifically excluded from Gross Income.
4. Classification of deductible expenses, timing of expense recognition, and disallowance
possibilities.
5. Personal casualty gains and losses, personal thefts.
6. MACRS depreciation, ACRS, amortization, and concepts relating to depreciation.
7. Transportation expenses, moving expenses, education expenses, entertainment and meal
expenses, other employee expenses, self-employed expenses, retirement plan
contributions, accountability of the reimbursement plan, and the 2% floor on certain
itemized deductions.
8. General classification of expenses, medical expenses, taxes, interest, charitable
contributions, and miscellaneous itemized deductions.
Spring 2016 ACC 420 Syllabus for Meints, page 1
9. Tax policy considerations, individual tax credits, specific business-related tax credits,
other tax credits, and tax payments.
10. Passive, Active, and Portfolio Income.
11. Determination of gains or losses, basis considerations, concepts of nontaxable exchanges,
like-kind exchanges, involuntary conversions, personal residence sale, and other
nonrecognition provisions.
12. Rationale behind separate reporting of capital gains and losses, capital assets,
sales/exchanges, capital gains and losses tax treatment.
13. Individual AMT.
14. Current topics and issues.
In addition, you should be able to …
1. …utilize tax software to complete tax returns.
2. …utilize tax research resources.
3. …identify tax issues in the media.
4. …prepare and deliver an oral presentation.
Textbook and Required Course Materials
TEXTBOOK: Prentice Hall's Federal Taxation 2016 Comprehensive. By Thomas R. Pope,
Timothy J. Rupert, Kenneth E. Anderson. Published by Prentice Hall. Copyright © 2016.
Published Date: Apr 6, 2015. ISBN-10: 0-13-410437-4. ISBN-13: 978-0-13-410437-9.
SOFTWARE: H&R Block Premium (Home, not Business) 2015 Edition (for all taxpayers). Or,
the Cengage Learning Tax Media Pack available in the UNCG Bookstore (for students).
INTERACTIVE CLASSROOM TOOL: i>clicker2: ISBN: 1429280476.
Bring a calculator, your i>clicker2, and any relevant handouts from Canvas and/or from me with
you to each class. If you miss a class, then it is your responsibility to get materials and
information from another student. You are encouraged to bring your textbook to class.
Course Website
https://canvas.uncg.edu
Canvas and Technology
For those who are not familiar with or have issues with Canvas, please empower yourself
with resources provided by UNCG. For technology concerns and issues, contact 6-TECH: (336)
256-TECH (8324) or 6tech@uncg.edu. Plan ahead; anticipate last minute technology glitches.
Spring 2016 ACC 420 Syllabus for Meints, page 2
Course Grading
Your final course grade will be determined as follows:
Group Work (4 at 1.5% each)
Exam 1
Exam 2
Exam 3
Tax Return 1
Presentation
i-Clicker responses to presentations
Class Participation
Tax Return 2
Total Possible
6%
Four class sessions
18% Tues Feb 9 – in class
18% Tues Mar 1 – in class
18% Thurs Mar 31 – in class
15% Weds, Apr 13 by 12PM
15% As assigned; Topic Reservations due Mar 25 by 12P
5%
All presentation dates
5%
Every class; Including Intro
1%- 2% extra credit added to final grade; 04/11 by 12P
100% (102% with XC)
Rough grading distribution
A / A- , 93% / 90%; B+ / B / B- , 88% / 83% / 80%; C+ / C / C- , 78% / 73% / 70%; D , 65%
Participation
Each student must send me an e-mail by the beginning of class time on the second class date. At
a minimum, please tell me your name, your year in your program, any experience with or interest
in governmental and/or not-for-profit organizations, and something unique that will help me get
to know you a bit. Each student must also attach a picture of oneself to the introduction e-mail as
a jpg or pic file. If a student is not comfortable sharing a picture of oneself (which is only for my
private files), then I ask that the respective student send me a picture of anything that means
something to the student.
Class attendance and Participation (10 pts) – All SLOs.
The full number of points will be awarded when students miss no more than two classes (and
complete make-up work for the classes that they missed, if necessary) and make active and
thoughtful contributions to several class discussions and other learning activities. These
contributions should demonstrate that the student is critically engaged with course content, class
material, and/or current issues in taxation. Fewer points will be awarded when absences and
contributions do not meet these criteria, at the discretion of the instructor. Being on time for class
is important and is a sign of respect for the learning environment. Being late and/or leaving early
may result in the loss of class participation points.
If a student is late for three classes, then that student automatically will receive a course
grade of F. The student will not be allowed to attend any consequent class sessions. If a student
is absent for three class periods, regardless of reason or planning, then the same procedure will
apply.
Homework and In-class Exercises
There is no graded homework required for this course. That said, during some class periods we
will do (ungraded) in-class exercises together that illustrate various parts of the federal income
tax law. These exercises will be technical, textbook-related problem sets as well as questions that
are meant to solidify your understanding of broad tax issues. The exercises will be posted to
Canvas ahead of each relevant class time for you to print out, if you so choose. I will not provide
Spring 2016 ACC 420 Syllabus for Meints, page 3
physical handouts in class, nor will I circulate or post the solutions to the in-class exercises after
class. It is your responsibility to be present and attentive for each class and/or to contact a
classmate who can provide you with the information and materials that you missed. Your quizzes
and exams will be based in large part on the concepts and topics covered in these exercises.
Exam Policies
You must take each exam to pass this course. Makeup exams are not allowed. Exams are multiple
choice, closed book, proctored, and no notes are allowed. Each exam will list taxpayer scenarios
in which you need to identify the issues that carry tax implications. You will be given a description
of several events in the life of a Taxpayer. You must then indicate which events carry which tax
implications. For example, a tax issue that carries tax implications is the possible taxation of some
social security benefits received by certain taxpayers, or the ability of a taxpayer to claim one’s
daughter as a qualifying child and thus claim a dependency exemption.
Other multiple choice questions will test facts, concepts, ideas, and issues that have
been covered in the course textbook, class discussions, and all materials referenced in class.
Exam 2 will focus on coverage from classes only after Exam 1. This said, the system of
individual taxation builds upon itself in complexity. You will need to master the basics
covered by Exam 1 to master the content tested on Exam 2. Likewise, Exam 3 will focus
on content since Exam 2. You will need to use skills learned prior to Exam 2 to be
successful on Exam 3.
All exams should be completed on your own. If your cell phone makes any noise
during an Exam, then your Exam will be collected at that time and you will leave the
testing area. You will not be allowed to continue working on the Exam. Once exams have
been distributed, you may not leave the classroom at any time before submitting your
exam. If you leave the classroom, then your testing time ends at that point regardless of
the amount of the test that you actually have finished then.
On any exam, if you do not receive credit for a question for which you have valid
supporting evidence/logic for your response, then you may e-mail me a brief description
of what you answered and why. I will read this description and determine whether you
will be awarded credit for the question. You are fully empowered to think critically and
form logical, reasonable conclusions from respectable resources provided for the class.
Tax Return Project
Toward the middle of the semester, you will be given information about two
taxpayer scenarios. You will be required to utilize the most recent edition of H&R Block
Premium edition home software for Individuals to complete the first of these tax returns.
The second return can be done with the same software for up to 2% of extra credit added
directly to your final course grade. You must complete these tax returns on your own.
I will provide a light introduction to the software in class as well as cover tips for
preparing the return. It is critical that you attend this class to get that information. If you
miss the class, then plan in advance to have a colleague take excruciatingly detailed notes
for you. I will not cover the tips again with any student after that class session.
I expect you largely to navigate this software on your own. You will be prompted
by the software program to answer a series of questions and input information from the
scenarios that you will be given. Any prompt that you encounter for which you have no
information given in the scenario means that the issue being brought up by that prompt is
Spring 2016 ACC 420 Syllabus for Meints, page 4
not relevant for your taxpayer’s return. Learning new software feels awkward and uncomfortable
at first. This is the classic learning curve of any new technology that you encounter in life. I
encourage you to push through the initial discomfort. You may be surprised at how quickly it all
starts to “make sense” if you just keep working through the software’s natural progression of
questions and prompts.
I expect that you will have questions about the tax scenario itself and completing the
respective tax return with the H&R Block software. It is up to you to plan in advance to meet
with my teaching assistant about those questions. I suggest that you write down a list of
questions that arise for you from initially reading through the problem, and then go talk with my
teaching assistant about those questions during the assistant’s open tutoring hours. I suggest that
you then attempt the entire tax return with H&R software. I cannot underemphasize the fact that
you need to attempt the entire tax return before going to the TA for help. The software prompts
you for various information at various points in the process. You will not know where to report
everything unless you work through the entire process of creating a return with the software.
I suggest that you then budget time for a second short meeting with my assistant after
completing the full return with the H&R software so that you and that assistant can clear up any
small issues that may arise for you with the software. You almost undoubtedly will have small
technical questions. These will be frustrating. I apologize for this. Every software package has
bugs and blips. I suggest that if you are stuck on one or two items for the tax return, then simply
complete the rest of the return and have the assistant help you with that one (or two) item(s). No
single item is worth you spending hours on it.
I cannot overemphasize the fact that this is not a Night Before It Is Due project. Plan
ahead. You have the information necessary to acquire the tax return software on Day One of
class. There is no reason that you cannot become familiar with it before receiving the specific
taxpayer information for this assignment. Keep in mind that if you wait until the last minute to
bring your questions to my assistant, then you most likely will be competing with many other
students for those minutes. Again, plan ahead and start the project well before it is due.
By Wednesday, April 13 at 12PM, you should turn in a physical copy of IRS Form
1040 pages one and two, and any relevant Schedules A-E for the required tax return. These must
be produced with the most recent edition of H&R Block Premium edition home software for
Individuals required for the course. You must also e-mail me a PDF file of all Forms, Schedules,
and Worksheets by the same time. You should put your completed tax return in the manila
envelope (provided for you in class). Seal the envelope. Sign across the seal, such that opening
the envelope would break through your signature. Turn this in to me or slide this under my office
door by the deadline. Early submissions are fine. Late returns will not be accepted. Extra credit
returns are due at the same time and in the same manner as the regular tax returns.
Please note that I have gone out of my way to make my teaching assistant available to
only ACC 420 students throughout the semester. Take advantage of this wonderful resource,
especially with respect to the tax return.
Tax Topic Presentation
See grading rubric later in this syllabus for specific guidance about expectations.
See presentation schedule posted to Canvas by February for specific date assignments.
You will be required to make an oral presentation on a tax topic of your choice. There is
a detailed grading rubric for this presentation at the end of this syllabus, as well as a more
Spring 2016 ACC 420 Syllabus for Meints, page 5
detailed description of relevant deadlines and actions of which one needs to be aware.
You can choose a broad or narrow topic. I highly suggest choosing a topic that has *not*
been covered at all in class. The point of this assignment is for you to present a tax issue
for which you have some passion, personal interest, and/or a strong opinion. This project
is structured to be flexible, open-ended, individualized, creative, original, and engaging.
Some questions that may direct your thinking about a topic may include… What
aspects of the tax law seem unfair to you? Who benefits and who loses from certain
provisions? How have certain tax law cases been decided in the favor of a party? How do
certain aspects of the tax administration system and its enforcement function (well or
not)? What frustrates you and/or what seems to make sense to you about certain
individual tax laws? Which human behaviors are taxed as sins and which human
behaviors are rewarded as good? Who determines these societal rights and wrongs? Who
defines what you can and cannot do with income? (How) Is a rent on profits in the best
interest of society / a party? What tax issues and events have been highlighted in the
media? What are some recent tax-related scandals?
Each of you has the option to present a topic on your own or with one other
classmate. If you decide to present with someone else, then each student in that group
needs to e-mail me confirmation of the partner by the beginning of class start time on
Tuesday, January 19.
Students who decide to present in pairs will be responsible for twelve minutes of
content, four Tax Court cases, four media sources, ten total sources, two factual i-clicker
questions and one opinion i-clicker question. Individual presenters will be responsible for
six minutes of content, two Tax Court cases, two media sources, five total sources, two
factual i-clicker questions and one opinion i-clicker question.
The deadlines and processes remain the same for both duos and individuals. If
you decide to present with a classmate, be careful of the partner you choose. It is up to
you to ensure that you two work together effectively, fairly, and timely.
Tax Presentation Deadlines
Summary of Dates:
(1) March 25 by 12PM: Topic due via e-mail with short descriptions of each Tax Court case and
each media source that you plan to use. Include weblinks for media sources.
(2) Three nights before presentation: Complete presentation file is due via e-mail.
(3) 8AM on your presentation date: Final presentation file(s) reflecting relevant feedback due
via e-mail.
(1) You must clear your topic with me by March 25 at noon. This is the most time
consuming process of this project. I encourage early submissions. When you identify
your topic and clear it with me, you should be able to tell me what two Tax Court cases
you plan to use, including an overview of each. You must also identify what media
coverage you plan to use. In essence, you must do the research for your presentation
before you can lock in a topic. You are encouraged to check in with me during that
planning process to see if your topic will be possible before you do the extensive research
leading up to your final topic selection. For example, send me an e-mail long before the
topic deadline and before spending much time researching a topic asking me if someone
Spring 2016 ACC 420 Syllabus for Meints, page 6
else already claimed three topics of interest to you. List at least three topics of interest. I will
respond about which ones are available. First come, first serve.)
(2) You must e-mail me a complete version of whatever presentation files you plan to use
in your class presentation by 11:59PM three nights before you are scheduled to present. I
encourage early submissions. This includes i-clicker questions that you plan to ask and all
appropriate citations. The file *must* be submitted complete and on time for you to receive
feedback from me. I will review your work and then send you detailed feedback, with time for
you to make any respective changes before presenting to the class.
(3) You must e-mail me the final version of any electronic files that you plan to use in
your presentation by 8AM on the day of your presentation. Files sent (or not sent) after 8AM on
your presentation date will be ignored.
Presentations lasting 45 seconds more or less than allowed time will automatically be
docked a certain percentage based on the length of the actual presentation. Students are allowed
to ask questions throughout your presentation, which count toward the content minute limit.
Afterward, there will be an additional two minute Q&A period that is allowed, ungraded, and
separate from the content minute limit.
You then are required to present three i-clicker questions to the class. Two questions
should test the students on something(s) that you covered in your presentation. The other
question should poll the students about their opinion or behavior related (or not) to something in
your presentation.
Please keep in mind that no late assignments are accepted in this course. Thus, if you
miss even one deadline of the three deadlines for the tax presentation, then you miss out
on the opportunity to present altogether and you miss out on all credit for the
presentation. No exceptions. To make sure that expectations are abundantly clear to each
student, I have outlined key deadlines for each presentation date in the day-to-day
schedule located here.
Spring 2016 ACC 420 Syllabus for Meints, page 7
Extra Resources
(1) Past Homework Assignments and Keys are posted to Canvas.
(2) Past Textbook Resources and Powerpoints are posted to Canvas.
(3) Podcasts available through iTunes:
Tax Accounting:
(a) Novogradac Tax Credit Tuesday Podcast.
Novogradac & Company LLP’s audio broadcast offers an in-depth weekly look at tax credit
topics. A new podcast is posted by 1PM Pacific Time every Tuesday.
(b) Federal Tax Update Podcast
The Ohio Society of CPAs. A new podcast is posted every Monday.
(c) FICPA: Federal Tax Updates
The Florida Institute of CPAs. Podcasts posted one to three times per month.
(d) KPMG’s This Week in State Tax (TWIST)
A tool from KPMG’s State and Local Tax practice to help keep you up to date on the latest in
state and local tax. TWIST features a series of short podcasts hosted by our Washington National
professionals who will cover state and local tax developments dating from the previous week.
If interested, then International and General Accounting:
(a) Advice Worth Keeping
A podcast series featuring Stan Lepaek, Director of Global Research in KPMG’s Management
Consulting group, in conversation with subject matter experts, industry leaders, and eminent
researchers who are at the front line of efforts to drive evolutionary and revolutionary changes in
the way organizations are structured and operate globally.
(b) Accounting Best Practices with Steve Bragg
Discussions about accounting management, best practices, controls, throughput accounting, and
GAAP for the accountant, controller, or CFO.
(c) CPA Exam Preparation Podcast
(d) Deloitte IFRS
(e) Deloitte Global Insights
(f) International Accounting Standards Board: Developments in IFRS
(g) IFAC Accountancy Podcast – International Federation of Accountants
Spring 2016 ACC 420 Syllabus for Meints, page 8
The following presentation rubric is only representative of how presentation grades will be determined and what is expected of each
student. One does not necessarily need to meet all conditions specified in each box to earn that level of credit. Again, this is only a
guide for what one can expect and for what one should accomplish with one’s presentation.
The key things that matter for the presentation are (1) the creativity and (2) planning that go behind the student’s topic choice, (3)
meeting all deadlines with complete files at each step, (4) quality of legal research, (5) quality and quantity of respectable authoritative
research, (6) research on what is happening in the media, (7) appropriate legal citations, and (8) an appropriately MLA or APA
formatted Works Cited.
Topic Choice
(Critical)
Legal research
(~30%)
Media
coverage
(~15%)
Excellent
Average
Minimal
Has personal interest in the topic. States
an opinion about the tax matter.
Encourages students to think about the
tax issue from multiple perspectives.
Creative and original topic. Meets all
deadlines.
The topic is directly from the textbook
and/or has been covered in class, but
expands on and does not duplicate
class coverage. Has personal interest
in the topic. Meets all deadlines.
The topic is directly from the textbook
and/or has been covered in class. The
topic coverage is primarily what has
been covered during class time
already.
Includes coverage of at least two Tax
Court cases.
Includes coverage of at least two recent
and relevant events and activities
captured by the news media. These may
be journal articles, newspaper articles,
radio interviews, market coverage,
company publications, or similar valid
and reputable media sources. These may
not cover any part of your Tax Court
cases.
Includes coverage of one Tax Court
case decision and one legal case,
decision, or activity.
Includes coverage of one recent and
relevant event or activity captured by
the news media. This may be from
journal articles, newspaper articles,
radio interviews, market coverage,
company publications, or similar valid
and reputable media sources. These
may not cover any part of your Tax
Court cases.
Spring 2016 ACC 420 Syllabus for Meints, page 9
References two legal sources but does
not cite them appropriately nor
explain their merits. Perhaps little or
no legal research coverage.
References only historical events, Tax
Court case information, and/or no
media coverage.
Content (15%)
References,
Citations, and
Formatting
(25%)
Other factors
(15%)
Excellent
Good
Minimal
Information is complete, up to date,
valid, from respectable outlets, and
correct. At least 5 sources of information
are referenced.
Information is from respectable
outlets. One or two pieces may be out
of date with current practice and
events.
Most information is from respectable
outlets, but out of date, not relevant,
or otherwise not helpful.
Tax Court cases are properly cited, per
Chapter C1. References slide conforms to
MLA or APA formatting. Properly cites
and references all sources (min = 5).
Some issues with references and
citations.
Clarity, organization, timing, logic,
length, i-clicker questions, general
effectiveness of presentation
information, and issues addressed
during feedback.
Spring 2016 ACC 420 Syllabus for Meints, page 10
Minimal proper references/citations.
Course Feedback
Informally, I welcome constructive criticism at any time about the course, specific assignments,
my role as your instructor, topical coverage, or about anything related to the classroom
environment and/or federal income taxation at the individual level. Your feedback would never
be held against you in my class. Likewise, it will not earn you any favorable treatment. (If you
are concerned about either possibility, then you may submit anonymous feedback to me. To do
so, write down (or type up) your constructive comments, put them in an envelope, and give that
envelope to the Department secretary in Bryan 383 to put in my mailbox. Your name is not
needed on those comments.) Formally, I will ask you for anonymous feedback at least once, near
mid-semester.
Students in Distress / Eustress
The most meaningful part of my job is having the opportunity to meet and to get to know each
student. Arguably, I learn more from each student who feels comfortable enough with me to
share parts of one’s life – class related or not – than a student learns in my classroom. I have
been teaching at UNCG since fall 2012. I have met many, many amazing people over the
semesters. I continue to be a big fan of each. I adore being able to cheer on (or listen to) students
long after our class time together. This connection, of course, is absolutely not necessary. Nor
will there be any special treatment for such.
Other resources that I encourage each of you to seek out if needed: student services
support, counseling, medical care, any adult you trust (including any faculty and/or staff), and
my teaching assistant. I will not know of your interactions with any of these resources, unless
you specifically tell me.
Academic Integrity
Frankly, you really do not want to go here. I do not want you to go here, either. It ends up being
a stressful, drawn-out, no fun process when academic dishonesty comes into play – for you and
for me. I have zero respect for an adult trying to take credit for something that one did not earn.
This is a character issue above all else. It makes me immensely sad when an academic class,
which in the scope of real problems in the world is NOT one of them, makes an adult act in
juvenile, flawed, and stupid ways. I have come to believe that one’s character is essentially stable
across settings. This means that if you make bad decisions about an academic class, then most
likely you are making bad decisions in many other areas of life as well. This will not get you
very far personally, professionally, or otherwise.
As a more formal addressment of this issue: You and I are expected to abide by the
UNCG Academic Integrity Policy as well as by the UNCG Codes of Conduct. I respect and
expect you to uphold the UNCG Honor Code that includes, among other things, that you
complete your own work on your own to the best of your ability. Cheating in my class results in
automatic failure of the course. I will report the incident to the Honor Court for full due
processing. This ends up being a lengthy and stressful process for both the student and the
instructor. Please visit the following link to remind yourself of the full Code.
http://bae.uncg.edu/assets/faculty_student_guidelines.pdf
Spring 2016 ACC 420 Syllabus for Meints, page 11
Policy on Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
Students with disabilities that affect their participation in the course must notify me if they wish
to have accommodations in instructional or examination format. I will work with the Office of
Disabilities and the student to make appropriate accommodations.
Cell Phone Policy
It is preferred that cell phones be turned off during class times. This said, I understand that each
student is juggling multiple responsibilities. If you need to keep your cell phone on during class,
then please put it in vibrate or silent mode. If you decide to text in class, then you will be
dismissed for the rest of the class period. I will adjust your participation grade accordingly.
E-mail, Phone, and Open Door Policy
What is at the same time good and bad is that my career continues to unfold in several directions
and in various places in and away from Greensboro. This means that my time on campus at
UNCG is extremely limited. You are welcome in my office during office hours and most any
time that my door is open. If you would like to talk with me telephonically, then you can send
me an e-mail with your phone number and I will call you.
Please keep in mind that I do my best to be available consistently by e-mail,
including over weekends and on holidays. This said, there may be periods of up to 48
hours when I am not able to respond to e-mail messages.
Because of the volume of e-mails that I receive throughout the semester, I highly
suggest that you send me just one message with multiple questions/issues at a time, if
possible, rather than sending me a series of e-mails in a short period of time -- each with
one issue. For example, if we cover chapter three in class, then first bring your questions
to that class session and ask them while we are all in class together. Most likely, someone
else will have the same question. Questions will (and should) benefit the class. If your
questions do not get answered in class, then send me one e-mail with all of your
questions.
I ask that if you are experiencing a personal, non-class related emergency, and
you decide to relay this to me via e-mail, then indicate such by including
“EMERGENCY” in your e-mail subject line. I give first priority to these messages.
Please be very careful with listing messages as emergencies. Almost always, nothing
related to the course constitutes an emergency.
Class Time and Environment
We have very limited time together for class sessions. I will respect you and your time. In return,
I expect you to do the same for me and for your fellow classmates. Please do not have side
conversations in class. Please do not pack up early. If you are distracting others in class, then I
will tell you to leave the classroom immediately and your participation grade will be adjusted
accordingly. If you do not want to come to class, then simply do not come. As in all of life,
spend your time on what matters to you. The one thing that I took away from my own college
advisor was this: “Time is the one thing that you can never get back.”
Spring 2016 ACC 420 Syllabus for Meints, page 12
Student Study Program through the Student Success Center
As a student in this course, you have the opportunity to participate in the Student Study
Program (SSP), which is one of the four programs housed in the Student Success Center located
in the McIver Building. SSP is designed to offer additional academic support for students
enrolled in historically challenging classes that have high drop, failure, and/or withdrawal rates.
The purpose of SSP is to offer students the opportunity to form collaborative study
groups of up to 4 of their peers. Students will be matched by the program coordinator with other
students in the same course and section. To sign up or to learn more about SSP, go to
http://success.uncg.edu/ssp/. If you have further questions, you may also contact the Coordinator
of the Student Study Program at ssp@uncg.edu.
Spring 2016 ACC 420 Syllabus for Meints, page 13
SCHEDULE OF CLASS TOPICS AND ASSIGNMENTS
(subject to change at instructor’s discretion)
DATE
TOPIC
CHAPTER
Tues Jan 12
Introduction to Class
Tax Research
NA
^C-1
ASSIGNMENT DUE
READ Syllabus
READ C-1
Thurs Jan 14
Essentials and History
^^I-1, I-11
READ I-1 and 11-1 - 11-10;
11-25, 11-26, 11-27. Intro DUE by 9AM to jmmeints@uncg.edu; not via Canvas.
*Tues Jan 19
Income Tax Formula
I-2
READ CH I-2
*Thurs Jan 21
Group Work – Income Tax Formula
Tues Jan 26
Gross Income Inclusions
I-3
READ CH I-3
*Thurs Jan 28
Gross Income Exclusions
I-4
READ CH I-4
Tues Feb 2
Group Work – Inclusions and Exclusions
*Thurs Feb 4
Group Work: Practice Exam 1
*Tues Feb 9
Exam 1: Chapters I-1, I-11, I-2, I-3, I-4.
Bring basic calculator (no graphing function; no phones), Red Scantron, and pencil.
*Thurs Feb 11
Tues Feb 16
Exam 1 Review.
Deductions and Losses
Losses and Bad Debts
I-6
I-8
READ CH I-6
READ CH I-8
Losses and Bad Debts
Itemized Deductions
I-8
I-7
READ CH I-7
Thurs Feb 18
Group Work: Losses and Itemized Deductions
Tues Feb 23
Employee Expenses
Thurs Feb 25
No Formal Class. Optional, Student-Led Review Session. Unfacilitated.
Tues Mar 1
Exam 2: Chapters I-6, I-7, I-8, I-9
Thurs Mar 3
Exam 2 Review.
I-9
READ CH I-9
H&R Block software and tax return tips.
Tues Mar 8 and Thurs Mar 10 – Spring break; NO CLASS, NO OFFICE HOURS
^^I = Individual Chapter; ^C = Corporation Chapter
Spring 2016 ACC 420 Syllabus for Meints, page 14
DATE
TOPIC
CHAPTER
ASSIGNMENT DUE
*Tues Mar 15 – No Class – Optional Tax Return Prep Time with TA in BRYAN 105
Thurs Mar 17
Tax credits and AMT
I-14
READ CH I-14
Tues Mar 22
Depreciation
I-10
READ CH I-10
Thurs Mar 24
Capital Gains
I-5
READ CH I-5 as follows:
First 5 pages, stop before Basis Considerations; 5-7 and top of 5-8 Gifts;
5-13 and top of 5-14; 5-16 tax treatment to 5-20.
Nontaxable exchanges
I-12
READ CH I-12 as follows:
12-2 through 12-21
Fri Mar 25
All Tax Topic Reservations Due by 12PM to jmmeints@uncg.edu – a
one paragraph summary of each Tax Court case and a one paragraph
summary of each media source (need to give weblinks for media sources)
Tues Mar 29
Catch Up / Optional: Student-Led Review Session
Thurs Mar 31
Exam 3: Chapters I-5, I-10, I-12, I-14.
*Tues Apr 5
Exam 3 Review. Presentations – Date A
(Final File for Feedback due by Saturday, Apr 2)
Thurs Apr 7
Presentations – Date B
(Final File for Feedback due by Monday, Apr 4)
*Tues Apr 12 – No Class – Optional Tax Return Prep Time with TA in BRYAN 105
Weds Apr 13
Tax Returns Due by 12PM
Thurs Apr 14
Presentations – Date C
(Final File for Feedback due by Monday, Apr 11)
Tues Apr 19
Presentations – Date D
(Final File for Feedback due by Saturday, Apr 16)
Presentations – Date E
(Final File for Feedback due by Monday, Apr 18)
**Last day of regular office hours
**Thurs Apr 21
Presentations – Date F
(Final File for Feedback due by Saturday, Apr 30)
* = TA will hold my regular office hours in Bryan 335 (12:30PM – 1:30PM)
Tuesday, May 3; 12PM - 3PM
Spring 2016 ACC 420 Syllabus for Meints, page 15
My TA is available to meet with you as follows. Some times are still TBD. You may not contact my
TA outside of these scheduled hours. No e-mails. No phone calls. No requests for additional times.
Come to ONLY me with any and all problems. Be kind to my TA. Your experiences in my
classroom this semester will be miserable for you if you are unkind to my TA or break these rules.
Tues Jan 19 –
Bryan 335 for student questions; 12:30PM-1:30PM
Thurs Jan 21 –
Bryan 335 for student questions; 12:30PM-1:30PM
Thurs Jan 28 –
Bryan 335 for student questions; 12:30PM-1:30PM
Tues Feb 9 –
Bryan 335 for student questions; 12:30PM-1:30PM
Thurs Feb 11 –
Bryan 335 for student questions; 12:30PM-1:30PM
Monday Feb 22 Bryan 335: Two hours of open time for students. TBD.
Weds Feb 24 –
Bryan 335: Two hours of open time for students. TBD.
Thurs Feb 25 –
Bryan 335 for student questions; 9:30AM – 10:45AM
Tuesday, Mar 15 –
(1) Tax return prep hours in Bryan 105 – 9:30AM-10:45AM
(2) Bryan 335 for student questions; 12:30PM-1:30PM
Tues Apr 5 –
Bryan 335 for student questions; 12:30PM-1:30PM
Weds Apr 6 –
Bryan 335: Two hours of open time for students. TBD.
Tues Apr 12 –
(1) Tax return prep hours in Bryan 105 – 9:30AM-10:45AM
(2) Bryan 335 for student questions; 12:30PM-1:30PM
Mon Apr 25 or Tues Apr 26 –
Bryan 335: Two hours of open time for students. TBD.
Weds Apr 27 or Thurs Apr 28 –
Bryan 335: Two hours of open time for students. TBD.
Mon May 2 –
Bryan 335: Two hours of open time for students. TBD.
Spring 2016 ACC 420 Syllabus for Meints, page 16