OKLAHOMA

STATE UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF ACCOUNTING
ACCTG 3013 - FEDERAL INCOME TAXATION
FALL 2017 TENTATIVE SYLLABUS
(SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

PROFESSOR
Alyssa D. Vowell, CPA

Office Hours: Tuesday 10:30 am – 11:30 am (tax students only)
Wednesday 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm; or by appointment

TA Contact Information: Available in the online classroom class list


PREREQUISITES
Managerial Accounting – 2203; by permission only; satisfactory score on a qualifying exam covering
basic accounting concept (Gateway Exam)

REQUIRED TEXT
● Spilker, Brian et. al., Taxation of Individuals and Business Entities. (2018 Edition). With
Connect/ConnectPlus. (loose leaf, hard cover, or ebook) If purchasing Connect/ConnectPlus
separately from the book, purchasing through McGraw-Hill’s website might be more cost
effective. You can get to their website by clicking the link on the right-hand side of the classroom
home page in BRIGHTSPACE, under McGraw- Hill Campus. This is also the link to register your
Connect/ConnectPlus and complete your Learnsmart/Connect assignments.
● RIA Checkpoint (online tax research software) www.library.okstate.edu

AVAILABLE RESOURCES
● The course BRIGHTSPACE website
o Copy of course syllabus and assignment schedule
o Connect/ConnectPlus
o Chapter Resources posted to BRIGHTSPACE
o Other class material, TBA
● Publisher website – located in your text

NOTE: The assignment schedule is tentative. Some days, I will probably get ahead of schedule. Other
days, I may fall behind. You are responsible for any announcements in class of changes. If you miss,
please check with me during office hours or one of your classmates for any announced revisions.

THE WEBSITE
We will be using Brightspace (BRIGHTSPACE). The URL for the website is oc.okstate.edu. Your ID for this
website is your OSU email address/O-Key username, and your password is your O-Key password. I
communicate with the class via the email listed in BRIGHTSPACE, so be sure you check it regularly.

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 CELL PHONES
Some of you need to leave your cell phones on to deal with emergencies. I have no problem with that.
However, if you receive a call that you need to take, then please leave the classroom to take the call.
This should be a rare occasion. If there are circumstances that may make this a more regular occasion,
please make me aware of that fact (e.g. you have small children). Cell phones should always be on
silent. Finally, you MUST have cell phones turned off and left in backpacks, purses, or pockets during
exams. If a cell phone is pulled out during your exam or at any time that an exam is on your
desk, you will receive a zero on the exam. Cell phones do not substitute for calculators.

EMAILS
I encourage you to email me with problems, questions, and comments. Email is a very convenient
way to communicate. It does not require that we both be available at the same time, and it allows you
to contact me on evening and weekends. That does not mean I will respond on an evening or
weekend, but provides the opportunity to submit the question/concern at that time. I receive a huge
number of emails, so it may take some time to respond. Consequently, please include subject lines in
your emails that communicate to me that you are in my class, e.g.,”Accounting 3013 question”. This
will allow me to prioritize your emails and answer more quickly. If your question is content or
grading related, email both myself and my TA. Copy me on all correspondence with my TA.

UNIVERSITY-WIDE SYLLABUS ATTACHMENT
You may refer to the following link for the standard university syllabus attachment.
http://academicaffairs.okstate.edu/content/resources-faculty-staff

COURSE DESCRIPTION
Federal income tax and its relationship to business decision-making; primary emphasis on recognition
of the important tax consequences that attach to business transactions and the impact on decision
making. In addition, you will be introduced to tax research tools and use them in resolving tax issues.

This course has five major objectives that fit within five of the program learning goals.
Course Objective Program Learning Goal
Students should recognize and be able to apply techniques and ● Business Knowledge &
practices employed in tax accounting as applied to business Competency
entities.
Students should be able to identify tax issues from a given set of ● Business Knowledge &
facts, research the issues, come to a conclusion using online tax
Competency
research tools, and communicate the conclusion effectively.
● Critical thinking
● Technological
Competence
● Written Communication
Students should be able to complete tax returns based on ● Business Knowledge
provided data. and Competency
Students should be able to communicate, in a client meeting setting, ● Business Knowledge &
the results of their completed tax return, as well as their ideas for
Competency
better tax planning in a manner that is organized, concise, and
effective. ● Critical Thinking

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 CLASS ASSIGNMENTS

Assignment number points total
Exams 3 150 450 36.73%
Final Exam 1 175 175 14.29%
Tax Return 1 1 100 100 8.16%
Tax Return 2 1 150 150 12.24%
Mock Client Meeting 1 100 100 8.16%
Quizes 5 10 50 4.08%
LearnSmart 9 10 90 7.35%
IRC Packet/Problems 1 20 20 1.63%
Research Exercises 1 30 30 2.45%
Depr Prob A--ch 10 1 30 30 2.45%
Depr Prob B--ch 10 1 30 30 2.45%
1225 100.00%

Final course grades will be based on 90-80-70-60 percent of the total points. Grades will be kept in the
professor’s office, and you may make an appointment to check your grade status or keep track of
assignment as you get them back.

CLASS PROCEDURE
We will spend a significant portion of each class period working through problems/having
discussions in a group setting. You will choose your groups for this course by the end of the second week
of class. This will also be the groups in which you complete your tax returns. There may be some extra
credit assignments available during class time. Please note that you cannot get these extra-credit
points unless you do NOT have any absences during that exam period. The quizzes referenced above will
also be taken during class time. Some will be individual grades and others will be taken in your groups.
The class is intended to very interactive, so students will be expected to be prepared to participate on
more than one occasion. If no one volunteers, I will ask questions of students in the class.

To be sufficiently prepared for class:

1. Read the correct chapter prior to class
2. Work through the examples in the textbook
3. Look through and attempt the examples for class that are posted on BRIGHTSPACE
4. Complete the Learnsmart reading quiz by the due date

Please note that if we do not go over a specific example from the textbook in class, that does NOT mean I
do not expect you to know how to complete that type of problem on the exam, it means I feel that
example in the textbook is sufficient enough for you to figure out on your own (if I’m wrong…which
happens, feel free to ask about it in class because if you are struggling with it, so is someone else in
class). The only parts of the chapter that are “safe” to not read are those that are specifically noted on the
chapter outline to “SKIP”.


EXAMS
Each exam covers the material indicated on the assignment schedule and the lecture notes on
BRIGHTSPACE. The exams may consist of true/false, multiple choice and/or problems. Make-up exams
are not given, so please plan accordingly. Exam dates are shown in the assignment schedule, and
should be considered when determining your personal schedule.

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 HOMEWORK
Bonus homework assignments will be available on Connect, which must be purchased along with
your textbook. You will complete one homework assignment for each chapter, and your HIGHEST
attempt out of three will be graded.

There will be NO make-up assignments, and all assignments count as points (i.e. none are dropped), so
make sure that you do your assignments on time. Homework is due by midnight the day before the
exam, so please plan accordingly and do NOT wait until the last minute to complete your
assignment.

McGraw-Hill Support for Connect can be contacted at 1-800-331-5094 and their hours of operations
are as follows:

M-Th:8am – 11pm
F: 8am – 6pm
Sun: 6pm – 11pm

You are encouraged to call this number and speak to a McGraw-Hill consultant before speaking to my
GA about a Connect issue. You will be given a case number from the McGraw- Hill agent. If you come to me
with a problem with connect, you will be asked if you have already spoken to a McGraw-Hill consultant
and will ask for your case number to send back to the company for further review.

LEARNSMART
You will be required to complete the LearnSmart reading quizzes PRIOR to coming to class the FIRST
day of a chapter. This will help ensure you are prepared for class. The chapter must show as 100%
complete to get credit with no exceptions. If you want to receive credit for your Learnsmart
assignments, you will need to have your assignments completed on time and will need to register
your email so I can see your grades (instructions available in Notes section in BRIGHTSPACE. You
will get a grade for completion of the LearnSmart software for the chapter. There are occasionally
issues with registration, so be sure to register your email and complete your assignment well ahead
of the first deadline to be sure you work through any issues without missing points.

TAX RETURN PROBLEMS
During the semester you will complete two tax return problems. The first problem will be completed
on prior year tax return forms and the second problem will be completed on current year tax return
forms. For the first tax return problem, you will work in groups of two. For the second tax return
problem, you will work in groups of four. You may be assigned groups of two for your first tax return.
For the second tax return, groups of two will be combined to form groups of four. For both tax return
problems, you may consult only members of your team to complete the assignments. Violation will
warrant the pursuit of academic integrity proceedings.

The first return problem is worth a total of 100 points, and the second return problem is worth a total
of 125 points (100 Points for the return 25 points for questions asked & submitted during class
meetings). You will be required to submit questions for the first return problem, but they will not be
graded separately like the questions submitted for the second return problem.

IRC PACKET/PROBLEMS
The IRC Packet will be posted on online classroom (BRIGHTSPACE) and consists of information
regarding research and how to read the Internal Revenue Code. You will use RIA Checkpoint online to
complete this assignment. This is an online tax research tool used by several accounting firms. The IRC
Packet has multi-part problems that must be completed and turned into the dropbox on BRIGHTSPACE.
The IRC packet will help you in your research and citing for the Research Exercises that are due later in the
semester. This assignment is an INDIVIDUAL PROJECT.



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 RESEARCH EXERCISES
The Research Exercise will be posted on online classroom (BRIGHTSPACE) and will be turned into
the online classroom, as indicated on the assignment schedule, according to a specified format
discussed in class & posted in BRIGHTSPACE. They must be typed and you must include an adobe copy of
the first page & portion used of any code section and/or document (from RIA) used to support your
answer to the question(s). More information regarding this research exercise will be discussed in class.
This assignment is an INDIVIDUAL PROJECT.

ATTENDANCE
Attendance at each meeting is necessary in order to participate in class discussions and to acquire a
complete understanding of the material. Each absence in excess two will result in a 10-point reduction
from your total final points. If, at the end of the semester, you have not missed any class meetings, you
will receive a 10 point bonus for perfect attendance. There is no distinction between excused and un-
excused absences, so I don’t need a letter from your Mom, doctor, employer, or student organization
advisor explaining why you missed class.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:
Oklahoma State University is committed to the maintenance of the highest standards of integrity and
ethical conduct of its members. This level of ethical behavior and integrity will be maintained in this
course. Participating in a behavior that violates academic integrity is simply not acceptable. Examples
of such behavior include unauthorized collaboration, plagiarism, multiple submissions, cheating on
examinations, fabricating information, helping another person cheat, or unauthorized advance access
to examinations. Violations may subject you to disciplinary action including the following: receiving
a failing grade on an assignment, examination or course, receiving a notation of a violation of academic
integrity on your transcript (F!), and being suspended from the University.

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
If you believe that you have a physical, emotional, or psychological disability and need
accommodations of any nature, I will work with you and the university Office of Student Disability
Services (SU 315, 744-7116 v/t) to provide reasonable accommodations to ensure that you have a
fair opportunity to perform in this class. Please advise me of such disability and the accommodations
as soon as possible. You will need to also contact the Student Disability Services office in order to receive
accommodations. No accommodations will be made without prior notification

A FINAL NOTE ON EXPECTATIONS
If you weren't a bright, capable person, you would not be in this course. During the course of your life,
you will have many chances at parties, relaxation, work, and play. You will, however, have only
one chance at your GPA, and it will affect doors that are open and closed to you for the rest of your
life. Please take good care of it.

You can expect me to be prepared for class and to make myself available to answer your questions and
give you needed help. I expect you to behave professionally by attending class, reading and studying the
textbook, doing homework, and especially asking questions when you don't understand something.

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 Sanctions for Alleged Violations of Academic Integrity

Three sanctions are recommended based on the seriousness of the
violation.

Level one sanction: award a grade of "zero" or "F" for the assignment or examination for violations
including but not limited to the following:

o Copying a few sentences of material (1-5 sentences or a minor portion) from a
written or Internet source without proper citation.
o Cheating on a quiz or minor assignment.
o Receiving unpermitted help on an assignment.
o Working on an assignment with others when the instructor asked for individual
work.
o Using a false excuse to obtain an extension on a due date.
o Signing an attendance roster for someone who is absent or asking someone else
to sign the roster to avoid being counted absent.

Level two sanction: award a grade of "F!" for the course for violations including but not limited to the
following:

o Turning in a paper copied from another student.
o Turning in a paper obtained in full or in part from a term paper “mill” or website.
o Copying material almost word for word from a written source and turning it in as
one’s own work.
o Fabricating or falsifying a bibliography.
o Getting questions or answers from someone who has taken an examination.
o Obtaining an unauthorized copy of an examination in advance.
o Using unauthorized notes during an examination.
o Having another student take an examination.
o Inappropriate use of technology (camera phones, text messaging,
programmable calculator, etc.) during an examination.
o Copying from another student during an examination with or without his/her
knowledge.
o Helping someone else cheat on an examination.
o Stealing an examination or problem answer from the instructor.
o Altering a grade or scoring on an examination or paper to obtain unearned credit.
o In a course requiring computer work, copying another student’s program
rather than writing one’s own.
o Fabricating or falsifying laboratory or research data.
o Inappropriately sharing or using work on an online assignment or examination.
o Turning in work done by someone else.
o Submitting substantial portions of the same assignment to more than one class
without permission of the instructors.
o For level two sanctions the transcript will indicate that a grade of “F!” signifies
that the student failed the course because of an alleged violation of academic
integrity.

Level three sanction: recommend dismissal from the graduate, professional education, or Veterinary
Medicine program and suspension from the university for the following types of violations:

o Plagiarism or other violations of academic integrity in a thesis or dissertation
proposal, qualifying examination, comprehensive examination, thesis or
dissertation, report for a creative component, thesis or dissertation defense, or
professional education portfolio.
o Fabrication or falsification of research or laboratory data used in a creative
component, report, thesis or dissertation.
o Level two violations committed by veterinary medicine students.

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 CODE OF ETHICS FOR ACCOUNTING MAJORS
The purpose of this code is to foster an atmosphere of honesty and integrity within the OSU School of
Accounting (SOA) and to create a shared expectation as to the minimum standards of ethical conduct by
students within the School.
● Compliance
o Comply with laws and regulations, as well as all OSU, SSB, and SOA standards, regulations,
and policies.
● Competence
o Convey accurate information about your experience, qualifications, grades, and
other attributes to prospective employers, scholarship committees, and other
parties.
● Confidentiality
o Students employed by the SOA should refrain from disclosing confidential
information acquired in the course of work responsibilities.
● Integrity
o Adhere to guidelines provided by instructors for assignments.
o Report honestly on the conduct of assignments, reasons for absences, and other matters
that can affect either class or job evaluations.
o Refrain from any form of a violation of academic integrity on exams or assignments,
including providing or receiving unauthorized assistance or obtaining any form of
advance access to exam questions and/or answers.
o Refrain from submitting substantial portions of the same academic work for credit on
more than one assignment without instructor permission.
o Refrain from offering gifts that are intended to influence or might appear to influence
instructors, administrators, or others who make decisions about your grades,
scholarships, admission into programs, etc.
o Refrain from actively or passively subverting the attainment of legitimate and
ethical objectives of the School of Accounting.
● Objectivity
o Maintain the highest standards of fairness and refrain from bias or appearances of bias in
performing peer evaluations on the work of other students or in evaluating the
performance of instructors.
§ In this context, “bias” refers to consideration of characteristics that are legally
prohibited from consideration (e.g., race or gender) as well as other factors
that should be unrelated to performance of the job or assignment.
● Interactions
o Whether agreeing or disagreeing, demonstrate respect for other individuals.
● Attribution
o Ensure that assignments (whether papers, problems, computer programs, etc.) that
are submitted for grading reflect your own work and are not copied from others
(including other students).
§ This provision prohibits, among other actions, the use of solutions manuals or case
solutions to which the student may obtain access (legally or otherwise).
§ Students should recognize that ideas taken from publications, websites, etc.,
should be given proper attribution. When quoted verbatim (even partial
sentences), these excerpts should be included in quotes and cited.
o In formal writings and public talks, credit others (including those with whom you
collaborate) for the work they have done. When engaged in informal discussions,
refrain from claiming credit for work done by someone else, e.g., a group member.

Consequences: The accounting profession cannot function without a high degree of integrity (both real
and perceived). Students who cannot adhere to high standards of integrity should not pursue a career
in accounting. Consequently, violations of the Code of Ethics for accounting majors will lead to loss of School
of Accounting scholarships and may extend to expulsion from the accounting major (either undergraduate
or graduate) at the discretion of the student’s respective program committee (i.e., the SOA Ph.D. committee,
M.S. committee, or undergraduate committee).

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 E-mail Business

Etiquette Learn to how to communicate professionally:

• Business-like writing style

• Subject line meaningful to recipient
• Addressing: How do you address your new contacts? I would suggest you assume the highest
level of courtesy: Hello, Mr. Anderson, Dear Ms. Smith, Dr. Osborne, etc. Until your new
contact states, "call me Andy" or "you can call me Diane", keep it formal until it is clear the
relationship dictates otherwise. You will also be able to get clues by how they approach you
and their tone.
• Common Courtesy: Hello, Hi, Good Day, Thank You, Sincerely, Best regard. All those intros and
sign offs that are a staple of professional business communications should also be used in your
business e-mail communications. Always have a salutation and sign off with every e- mail. Here
again - think business letterhead.
• Level of Formality: Never assume a position of informality in your business e-mail. Only time
and relationship building efforts can guide when you can informalize your business
relationships. And, in some cases that time may never arise. If for commercial/business
reasons, one should communicate as if e-mail is on their company letterhead at all times. This
is your business's image you are branding.
• Attention to grammar, spelling, punctuation (same rules as for hard copy correspondence)
• Clear signature block with your full name, postal mailing address and return e-mail address
(obviously there is no handwritten signature).
• Be careful about including quotations and sayings in your signature block. Obviously don't
include anything that has potential to be offensive or misunderstood. Think about the
impression your message sends to someone who doesn't know you, and be judicious.
• Don't use all capitals. It's the e-mail equivalent of SHOUTING and people don't like it.
• By the same token, don't use all lower case letters. (Your purpose in business correspondence is
not to attempt to pass for e.e.cummings.)
Source (SSB Undergraduate Assessment Committee) and more available:
http://www.keepcustomers.com/email_etiquette.htm