AIM 3351-001

Individual Tax
Spring 2006
(November 28, 2005)

I. LECTURER
Ronald J. Blair, CPA, MBA
Office: SM 4.227, TTh 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
WF 11:00 a.m. – 3.00 p.m.
Phone: 972-883-4430
Email: rblair@utdallas.edu
Home Page: http://www.utdallas.edu/~blair
TA: Yao
972-883-6498 SM 4.808
yxx053000@utdallas.edu

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 instructor or TAs do not normally respond 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
Thomson/RIA/South-Western Publishing – 2006 Edition
III. COURSE OBJECTIVES
Critical Thinking
Ø Understand and apply income tax concepts that influence decisions of individual
taxpayers.
? Computation of Tax Liability
? Determination of Appropriate Exemptions
? Determination of Gross Income
? Application of Personal and Business 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. 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 Tests 50
2. Preparation of Tax Returns 15
3. Final Examination 25
4. Classroom Participation and Attendance 10
TOTAL POINTS 100

Students should read the assigned chapters and prepare the weekly assigned
problems. Students are strongly urged to work the problems as assigned before
solutions are accessed. This will enable you more quickly grasp the concepts
involved as you compare your solutions to the posted solution, and will prepare you
for the test problems as they will be very similar in content.
 Tax Returns: Information concerning the tax returns will be posted by March 23,
2006. 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 13, 2006.
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.
Grades: 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.
VI. Course Schedule
Week
# Date Topic Assignment
Introduction to Federal Taxation
1 J10/12 Chapter 1 Discussion, Questions and Problems –
5, 7, 11, 12, 18, 23, 26, 39, 45, and 51
The Tax Law
Chapter 2 Questions and Problems – 1, 9, 19, 22, 29, 44, 48 and
50
2 J17/19 Tax Formula, Personal Exemptions, Property Trans
Chapter 3 Questions and Problems –
1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 20, 21 and 41
The Concept of Gross Income
J24/26 Chapter 4 Questions and Problems – 2, 3, 6, 12, 17, 19, 31, 36, and
3 38
Exclusions from Gross Income
4 J31/F2 Chapter 5 Questions and Problems – 5, 8, 11,12, 21, 24, 28, 31,
47, 49 and 59 (prepare to discuss)
Deductions and Losses in General
5 F7 Chapter 6 Questions and Problems – 2 , 4, 8, 11, 17,19, 21, 33,
45, 50, 53 and 61 (put data onto workpaper)
F9 Test #1 Test 1 - Chapters 1 - 5
Business Expenses and Losses
6 F14/16 Chapter 7 Questions and Problems - 3, 4, 9, 10, 21, 31, 34, 36, 37,
39, and 49
Discuss Test #1
Depreciation, Amortization and Depletion
7 F21/23 Chapter 8 Questions and Problems – 4, 30, 32, 35, 38, 39, 54,
55, 56, 57, and 59 (depreciation only)
Employee / Self Employed Related Expenses
8 F28/M2 Chapter 9 Questions and Problems – 2, 3, 8, 11, 19, 20, 38, 39,
and 44
9 M 7/9 Spring Break
Itemized Deductions
10 M14/16 Chapter 10 Questions and Problems -
1, 6, 12, 16, 24, 28, 29, 32, 39, 40, and 43
 Passive Activity Losses
Questions and Problems – 4, 11, 17, 18, 26, 34, 38, 40,
M21 Chapter 11 50 and 56
11
M23 Form 1040 Tax Return Software
Assign tax return project
Alternative Minimum Tax
12 M28 Chapter 12 Questions and Problems – 4, 5, 13, 17, 31, 39, 42 and 47
and 58
M30 Test #2 Chapters 6 – 11
Property Transactions - Gain / Loss
13 A 4/6 Chapter 14 Questions and Problems –
6, 12, 15, 16, 18, 22, 30, 36, 44, 48, 50 and 59
Discuss Test #2
Property Transactions - Nontaxable Exchanges
A 11 Chapter 15 Questions and Problems -
14 6, 20, 28, 35, 39, 49, 50, and 55
Tax Return is due
A 13 Chapter 16 Property Transactions - Capital Gains / Losses
Questions and Problems – 3, 4, 7, 17, 20, 22 and 23
Property Transactions - Sec 1231 and Recapture
15 A18/20 Chapter 17 Questions and Problems -
12, 15, 23, 37, 38, 49 and 52
Form 1040 Review tax return project
Final
16 A25 Exam Emphasis on Chapters 12, 14-17
Syllabus Addendum
Each student in this course is expected to exercise independent scholarly thought,
expression and aptitude. This addendum to the course syllabus is provided to assist you
in developing and maintaining academic integrity while seeking scholastic success.
General Comments:
Ø All academic exercises (including assignments, essays, laboratory experiments
and reports, examinations, etc.) require individual, independent work. Any
exception(s) will be clearly identified.
Ø Be sure your name or identifying number is on your paper.
Ø Complete and turn in academic exercises on time and in the required format
(hardcopy, electronic, etc.).
Ø Retain confirmation of document delivery if submitted electronically.
Ø Retain all research notes and drafts until the project or assignment has been
graded.
Ø Obtain written authorization from your instructor prior to submitting a portion of
academic work previously submitted for any academic exercise. (This includes an
individual or group project submitted for another course or at another school.)

Essays and Significant Papers:

Be prepared
• To present periodic drafts of work in process
• To correctly and completely reference all sources of information using the citation
format prescribed
• To turn your completed assignment in timely and in the prescribed manner
(electronic, hardcopy, etc.)

Examinations:

Be prepared
• To leave all personal belonging at the front of the room or other designated location
(this includes cell phones, turned off of course, and beverage containers)
• To present your UTD Comet Card
• To remove your cap or hat
• To remove the batteries from any electronic device (e.g. calculator)
• To exchange blue books or bring them early as required
• To change seating
• To sign out when exiting the testing room
• To be escorted for lavatory use

All episodes of suspected scholastic dishonesty will be reported according to University

policy. Students who violate University rules on scholastic dishonesty are subject to
disciplinary penalties, including the possibility of failure in the course and/or dismissal
University, policies on scholastic dishonesty will be strictly enforced. Penalties that may
be assessed for scholastic dishonesty may be reviewed in Subchapter D. Penalties at
http://www.utdallas.edu/student/slife/chapter49.html