ACCT 3351-501

Individual Tax
Spring 2005
(January 7, 2005)

I. LECTURER
Ronald J. Blair, CPA, MBA
Office: SM 4.227, M/Tr/F 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
T/W 11:00 a.m. - 4.30 p.m.
Phone: 972-883-4430
Email: rblair@utdallas.edu
Home Page: http://www.utdallas.edu/~blair
TA: Ping Xiao
pxx031333@utdallas.edu

WebCT:

E-Mail: Use WebCT to communicate with the instructor or TA. This is a

closed system and only the person to whom the message is address is allowed
access. Students may address messages to the instructor or TA privately. Or
they may be addressed to include all other students, such as to raise a question
that might be of interest to everyone; responses will be made accordingly.

Discussion: The Discussion feature can be used to post messages to other

members of the class. This is an open system and all class members can access
postings on it. The instructors TA do not normally response to this feature.
Personal messages should be sent by email and not posted on the
Discussion Board

II. COURSE MATERIALS

West Federal Taxation – Individual Income Taxes

Hoffman/Smith/Willis, 2005 Edition,
Thomson/South-Western Publishing ISBN 0-324-20752-2
III. COURSE OBJECTIVES
Critical Thinking

Ø Understand and apply income tax concepts that influence decisions of individual
taxpayers.

? Computation of Tax Liatility

? Determination of Appropriate Exemptions
? Determination of Gross Income
? Application of Deductions
? Tax Effects of Property Transactions???

Ø Apply concepts to determine the best course of action for individual taxpayers
when confronted with options involving tax planning.

Ethical Considerations in Tax Practice

Ø Appreciate the requirements and concepts contained in the Statements on

Standards for Tax Practice.

Ø Understand the ethical issues that confront both individual taxpayers and tax
practitioners on a day-to-day basis.

Enhance Communication Skills

Ø Class participation and discussion will improve communication skills.

Ø Such skills gained from the above items will be reinforced through preparation
of a Federal individual income tax return

Enhance Understanding and Use of Computers Applications

Ø By the use of an on-line tax software preparation of the individual income tax
return.

IV. GRADING
Maximum Points

1. Two Exams 200

2. Preparation of Tax Returns 100
3. Final Examination 150
4. Classroom Participation 50
TOTAL POINTS 500

2
 Tax Returns : Information concerning the tax returns will be posted by March
21, 2005. Use of professional tax preparation software is recommended, not
required. RIAs InSource software is available for this project. Information
concerning this software is posted on WebCT. The returns are due no later
than April 18, 2005. There will be a 5 point penalty for each day the
return is late.

Class Participation: Students should read the assigned chapter and complete
the assigned questions and problems prior to class and participate in class
discussion. Solutions to the assigned questions and problems are posted on the
instructor’s web page. The final grade for the course may be enhanced as a
result of class participation.

Quizzes: There will be quizzes. Quizzes are due at the end of some chapters.

Translation of the total point score into a letter grade will be based on the instructor’s
judgment. The letter grade will reflect each student's performance relative to the course
and standards expected of graduate students at the University of Texas at Dallas.

NOTE: You MUST have a password and login ID from UTD’s Information Resources
Department in order to access databases and electronic journals. Allow at least 24
hours to activate your computer account.

V. GENERAL INFORMATION

Make-up policy: Only for very compelling reasons will a make-up test
be allowed.

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 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.

3
VI. COURSE SCHEDULE

Wee
k# Date Topic Assignment
1 10-Jan Chapter 1 Introduction
Discussion, Questions and Problems –
4, 11, 15, 18, 23, 26, 39, 45, and 51
2 17-Jan MLK Day
3 24-Jan Chapter 2 Class Discussion
Questions and Problems – 2, 9, 19, 22, 29, 44, 48, and 50
Chapter 3 Class Discussion
4 31-Jan Chapter 3 Questions and Problems –
2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 19, 20, 21, 28, 39, and
55
Chapter 4 Class Discussion
7-Feb Chapter 4 Questions and Problems – 2, 3, 6, 12, 17, 19, 31, 36, 38,
5 40,
45 and 60 (put data onto workpaper)
Chapter 5 Class Discussion
Questions and Problems – 2, 5, 8, 11,1 2, 21, 24, 28, 31,
34,
47, 48 and 59 (prepare to discuss)
6 14-Feb Chapter 5 Finish Questions and Problems
Test #1 Test 1 - Chapters 1 - 5
7 21-Feb Chapter 6 Class Discussion
Questions and Problems – 2 , 4, 8, 11, 17,19, 21, 29, 33,
45,
50, 53 and 61 (put data onto workpaper)
28-Feb Chapter 7 Class Discussion
Questions and Problems - 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 21,3 1,3 4, 36, 37,
39, 40, 49 and 53 (put data onto workpaper)
Discuss Test #1
7-Mar Spring
8 Break
Break
9 14-Mar Chapter 8 Class Discussion
Questions and Problems – 4, 30, 31, 32, 35, 38, 39, 54,
55,
56, 57, and 59 (depreciation only)
Chapter 9 Class Discussion
Questions and Problems –

4
 2, 3, 8, 10, 11, 19, 20, 34, 38, 39, 40, and 44
21-Mar Chapter
10 10 Class Discussion
Questions and Problems -
2, 6, 12, 16, 24, 28, 29, 32, 38, 39, 40, and 43
Assign tax return problem
28-Mar Chapter Class Discussion
11 11
Questions and Problems – 4, 11, 17, 18, 26, 34, 38, 40, 50
and 56
12 4-Apr Test #2 Chapters 6 – 11
11-Apr Chapter Class Discussion
13 12
Questions and Problems – 4, 5, 13, 17, 31, 39, 42, 43, 47,
and 58
Chapter Class Discussion
14
Questions and Problems –
6, 12, 15, 16, 18, 22, 30, 36, 44, 48, 50, and 59
Discuss Test #2
18-Apr Chapter Class Discussion
14 15
Questions and Problems -
6, 20, 28, 31, 35, 39, 49, 50, and 55
Tax Return is due
25-Apr Chapter Class Discussion
15 16
Questions and Problems – 3, 7, 19, 24, 29, 34 and 37
Chapter
17 Class Discussion
Questions and Problems -
12, 15, 23, 37, 38, 45, 49 and 52
5/2/2005 Final
16 Exam Chapters 12, 14-17.