ACCT 307 – Income Taxation
Louisiana Tech University
Course Syllabus Fall Quarter 2015
Instructor:
Classroom:
Office:
Office Phone:
E-mail:
Office Hours:
Nina Collum, CPA
COBB 107, TR 4:00–5:50 p.m.
COBB 305
318-257-3191
ncollum@latech.edu
Monday: By appointment
Tuesday: 9:00–11:00 a.m. and 2:00–3:30 p.m.
Wednesday: 2:00–5:00 p.m.
Thursday: 9:00–11:00 a.m. and 2:00–3:30 p.m.
Friday: By appointment
Required Textbook:
Smith E.P., P.J. Harmelink, & J.R. Hasselback. CCH Federal Taxation Comprehensive Topics (2016
edition). Chicago, IL: Wolters Kluwer, 2015
Required prerequisites: ACCT 201 (students majoring in accounting must have earned a grade
of “C” or better)
Course Description: A study of federal income tax laws and their effect on individual income.
Course Objectives: This course is designed to foster the accounting major’s introduction to the
federal tax law. It will primarily cover topics applicable to the taxation of individuals. This course
will not make you a tax expert; however, these basic concepts will provide a foundation for
further study or tax practice. Finally, as a side benefit of the course, the material covered will
help you prepare for some of the tax questions found on the CPA examination.
Course Procedure: The tentative course schedule shows the material to be covered in each
class meeting. You are expected to prepare for class by reading the textbook as indicated and
working the problems before coming to class. Classes will be a combination of lectures and
problem solving sessions. Student participation will be emphasized.
Tax Return Preparation: Students will be required to complete several tax return assignments.
Information on these assignments will be announced during the quarter.
Exams: Exams may consist of problems, true-false questions, multiple-choice questions,
matching, and essay questions. Students may not use graphing calculators or cell phones during
the exams.
Moodle: The syllabus and other class information will be available on Moodle. I will
communicate with you via Moodle announcements and e-mail. All e-mails will be send to your
latech.edu e-mail account.
Attendance: Class attendance is expected. If for some unavoidable reason you must miss class,
you are responsible for getting in-class assignments and material covered in the missed class.
ACCT 307
Fall Quarter 2015 Syllabus
2
Grading Points and Scale:
Exam 1
Exam 2
Exam 3
Tax returns
Other assignments
Total points
Points
100
100
100
25
35
360
A:
B:
C:
D:
F:
324–360 points
288–323 points
252–287 points
216–251 points
0–215 points
Exams and Makeup Policy: If you are unable to take an exam during its scheduled time because
of university activities, you must discuss the conflict with your instructor before the exam date.
You must also provide your instructor with written documentation from the appropriate
university department to support the need for a makeup exam.
Any makeup exam given will be at the convenience of the instructor. Written documentation is
required to support the reason for missing the scheduled exam. Any missed exam without
prior approval will result in a grade of zero.
Classroom Policies: Please conduct yourself in a courteous and professional manner during
class.
• Arrive for class on time and remain until class is dismissed.
• Set your cell phone to silent and put it away during class.
• If you plan to use your computer for taking notes, please let me know at the beginning of
the quarter.
• Be respectful towards others.
Statement of Ethics and Scholastic Dishonesty: The accounting profession has a longestablished reputation for its high level of ethical conduct. This reputation reaches into the
academic arena where the profession’s future leaders are being prepared. Academic dishonesty
will not be tolerated in accounting courses. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to
copying, sharing or obtaining information from any unauthorized source during examinations or
quizzes. It also includes copying from or unauthorized sharing of homework assignments,
attempting to take credit for the intellectual creation of another person, or falsifying
information. Any student involved in academic dishonesty will be penalized in accordance with
published University rules.
Academic Integrity Statement: In accordance with the Louisiana Tech Academic Honor Code,
students pledge the following: Being a student of higher standards, I pledge to embody the
principles of academic integrity. The Louisiana Tech Academic Honor Code can be found at
http://www.latech.edu/documents/honor-code.pdf.
Changes to Course Syllabus: The instructor reserves the right to make changes as necessary to
this syllabus. If changes are necessitated during the term of the course, the instructor will
immediately notify you of such changes.
ACCT 307
Fall Quarter 2015 Syllabus
3
Emergency Closure of University: In the unlikely occurrence of a major natural disaster or other
catastrophic event, we will continue to conduct class via Moodle. You will need to find a
location where you have computer access, and we will continue with our class through this
media.
Emergency Notification System (ENS): All Louisiana Tech students are strongly encouraged to
enroll and update their contact information in the Emergency Notification System. It takes just
a few seconds to ensure you are able to receive important text and voice alerts in the event of a
campus emergency. For more information on the Emergency Notification System, please visit
http://www.latech.edu/administration/ens.shtml.
Accommodations for Students with Disabilities: Qualified students needing testing or
classroom accommodations based on a disability are encouraged to make their requests to me
at the beginning of the quarter either during office hours or by appointment. Note: Prior to
receiving disability accommodations, verification of eligibility from the Testing and Disability
Services Office is needed. Disability information is confidential. Information for Testing and
Disability Services may be obtained in Wyly Tower 318 or www.latech.edu/ods.
ACCT 307
Fall Quarter 2015 Syllabus
4
Tentative Course Schedule
Date
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
Chapter
Thurs. September 10 1: Intro. to Federal Taxation
3: Individual Taxation—An
Tues
15
Overview
Thurs.
17 4: Gross Income
Tues.
22
Thurs.
24 5: Gross Income—Exclusions
Tues
29
Thurs. October
1 Exam 1
6: Deductions: General
Tues.
6
Concepts and Trade or
Business Deductions
7: Business/Investment
Thurs.
8
Losses and Passive Activity
Losses
Tues
13
Thurs.
15 8: Itemized Deductions
Tues.
20
Thurs. October
22 Exam 2
9: Tax Credits, Prepayments,
Tues
27
and Alternative Minimum
Tax
10: Property Transactions:
Thurs.
29
Determination of Basis and
Gains and Losses
11: Property Transactions:
Tues. November 3
Nonrecognition of Gains
and Losses
12: Property Transactions:
Thurs.
5
Treatment of Capital and
Section 1231 Assets
Tues
10 13: Tax Accounting
Thurs. November 12 Exam 3
Tues.
17 Independent Project Day
Thurs.
19 Assignment/Tax Return
Problems (To Be Assigned)