THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT DALLAS

INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAX

AIM 6351
SUMMER 2005

Instructor: Kenneth L. Bressler, BSBA, MBA, JD, CPA Office: SOM 4.224

Office Phone: 972-308-7933 Email: bressler@utdallas.edu

Office Hours: As an adjunct faculty member I am only at the University on Monday and
Wednesday nights.
Monday 5:00 P.M. - 6:00 P.M.
Wednesday 5:00 P.M. - 6:00 P.M.
ALSO BY APPOINTMENT

Course Objectives

A. To Use Critical Thinking

B. To understand the Federal Income Tax System and apply Federal Income Tax concepts which
influence decisions of individuals. The course will concentrate on the following areas:

1. To Understand the Federal Income Tax System.

2. To Understand the Forums for Resolving Federal Tax Disputes.
3. To Determine Items of Gross Income.
4. To Determine Exemptions.
5. To Determine Deductions.
6. To Determine Credits against Tax.
7. To Determine Income Tax Effects of Property Transactions.

C. To determine the tax liability for individual taxpayers with varying tax situations.

D. To apply concepts to determine the best course of action for individual taxpayers when confronted
with options involving tax planning.

E. To understand the ethical considerations in tax practice.

1. To appreciate the requirements and concepts contained in the Statement on

Responsibilities in Tax Practice.

2. To understand ethical issues which confront both individual taxpayers and tax
practitioners on a day-to-day basis.

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 To Enhance Communication Skills

Class participation and discussion will improve communication skills.

The skills gained from the above items will be reinforced through the preparation
of a Federal income tax return and the completion of a research paper.

Grading System

1. One Test 35 percent

2. Preparation of Tax Return 15 percent

3. Research Paper 15 percent

4. Final Examination 35 percent

TOTAL 100 percent

Tax Return: Information concerning the tax return is in the textbook - Appendix F Problem 1. The
return is due no later than July 18, 2005. Tax Return problems turned in late will be reduced 10 points per
class period that the problem is late.

Class Participation: Students should read the assigned chapter and complete the assigned problems
prior to class and participate in class discussion. The final grade for the course may be enhanced as a result
of class participation.

Research Paper: Each student should submit a topic for approval by June 6, 2005. The paper is due
no later than June 27, 2005. The topic must be a topic pertaining to Federal Individual Income Tax.
Research papers turned in late will be reduced 10 points for each class period that the paper is late.

Final Examination: The final examination is comprehensive .

Requirements for Research Paper

1. State the issue or the code section that you are researching.

2. Cite one or more of the following items in your research paper.

a. Code Sections
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 b. Treasury Regulations
c. IRS Revenue Rulings
d. Court Cases
e. Letter Rulings

3. State a conclusion or recommended course of action.

4. The paper should be between 5-8 pages in length, typed, and double-spaced.

5. The paper is due on June 27, 2005.

6. The paper will be graded on:

a. Professionalism
b. Logical format, application of the Internal Revenue Code, and conclusions.
c. Clarity

8. The following are some suggested topics but the student is not limited to these topics:

a. IRC Section 183 Activities not engaged in for profit.

b. IRC Section 6662 Accuracy related penalties.
c. Dependency Exemptions
d. Filing status and the related requirements.
e. Medical deductions and the requirements.
f. Alimony vs. Child Support.
g. Hope Credit and Lifetime Learning Credit.
h. Office in the home expenses and their deductibility–IRC Section 162.
i. Entertainment expenses and their deductibility–IRC Section 274.
j. Casualty losses and related requirements.
k. Employee vs. Independent Contractor.
l. Unreasonable Compensation
m. Forums to resolve a tax case.

General Information

1. Test and Make-up policy:

Only for very compelling reasons will a make-up test be allowed. Make up tests must be arranged in
advance of the scheduled test date. A makeup test, if permitted, must be taken within one week of
the scheduled test. The makeup test will NOT be the same as the scheduled test. No makeup tests
for the final examination. Any student who arrives after the first student completes the test and
leaves the room will not be permitted to take the test.

2. University policy on Cheating:

Students are expected to be above reproach in all-scholastic activities.
Students who engage in scholastic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary penalties, including the
possibility of failure in the course and dismissal from the University. "Scholastic dishonesty includes
but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, collusion, the submission for credit of any work or
materials that are attributable in whole or in part to another person, taking an examination for
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 another person, any act designed to give unfair advantage to a student or the attempt to commit such
acts." Regents' Rule and Regulations, Part One, Chapter VI, Section 3, Subsection 3.2, Subdivision
3.22.

Since scholastic dishonesty harms the individual, all students and the integrity of the University,
policies on scholastic dishonesty will be strictly enforced.

Class Schedule

Date Chapter Questions and Problems

5-16-05 Chapter 1 4, 6, 18, 20, 23, 36,39,51

Chapter 2 2, 10, 19, 22, 29, 44, 48,

5-23-05 Chapter 2 Con't.

Chapter 3 1, 3, 4, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 17, 19, 24, 28, 30, 32,
38, 40
5-30-05 Holiday

6-6-05 Chapter 4 2, 6, 9, 12, 15, 19, 23, 38, 45, 49

Chapter 5 2, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12, 17, 21, 24, 28, 31, 34, 41,

6-13-05 Chapter 5 Con’t.

Chapter 6 1, 3, 4, 8, 10, 19, 27, 29, 34, 36, 47, 49, 61

6-20-05 TEST Chapters 1-6

6-27-05 Chapter 7 4, 8, 10, 11, 14, 17, 19, 28, 32, 36, 42, 49,
Chapter 8 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 13, 14, 25, 27, 28, 31, 42, 45
Research Paper Due

7-4-05 Holiday

7-11-05 Chapter 8 Con’t.

Chapter 9 1, 3, 7, 8, 11, 15, 20, 23, 27, 31, 33, 36, 39, 45,

7-18-05 Chapter 10 1, 2, 5, 8, 11, 15, 24, 35, 37, 47

Chapter 11 1, 2, 4, 8, 17, 29
Tax Return Problem Due

7-25-05 FINAL EXAMINATION