COURSE OBJECTIVES
Consistent with recommendations of the AICPA Model Tax Curriculum Task Force, the objectives of this course are: (1) to expand the knowledge base of special tax subjects and choice of entity, (2) to reinforce the importance of ethical considerations, competent tax research and thoughtful tax planning, and (3) to enable students to prepare tax returns using tax preparation software.

SKILLS DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVES
Consistent with recommendations of the AICPA Model Tax Curriculum Task Force, the process of imparting tax knowledge in this course is designed to develop the following skills and core competencies deemed necessary for success in the accounting profession: (1) oral and written communication skills, (2) critical problem solving skills, (3) use of technology, (4) interpersonal skills, (5) business and professional ethical considerations, and (6) team building.

IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES AND METHODS
To comply with recommendations of the AICPA Model Tax Curriculum Task Force and the Rider University Accounting Advisory Council and to satisfy the course and skills development objectives noted above, tax principles in this course will be taught via a problem solving approach with emphasis on research, planning and ethics. Specifically, students will:

• conduct "paper" tax research (in the library) and internet tax research (via RIA internet tax service) and explore other tax resources available on the internet,
• examine tax compliance and ethical tax planning concepts applicable to sole proprietorships, C and S corporations, partnerships, estates, trusts, and gifts,
  
• explore the tax issues involved in the decision to select a particular form of business organization,
• examine fundamental concepts of international, interstate and NJ taxation,
• conduct tax planning in an ever-changing tax environment via ongoing reference to The Wall Street Journal,
• prepare a variety of tax returns, manually and/or electronically,
• make one oral presentation of a homework assignment (using computer technologies, if appropriate) and serve as a "consensus builder"/team leader to arrive at a class solution for the assignment,
• periodically work in groups in class and make extemporaneous oral presentations to the class,
• submit short written papers periodically,
• complete all homework assignments on computer, unless directed otherwise,
• communicate via e-mail, where appropriate.

REQUIRED REFERENCE MATERIALS
1.  Corporate, Partnership, Estate and Gift Taxation: Taxation Series - 2007 Edition by Pratt and Kulsrud (ARC Publishing Company, Inc.).
2.  The Wall Street Journal

GRADES
1. Final grades are based on the following scale:

A 90 - 100	F < 70	+ or - will be awarded at the
B 80 - 89		instructor’s discretion.
C 70 - 79

2. Final grades are determined as follows:

Homework presentation/class participation	20%
Mid-term exam	25%
Final exam	25%
Team project	30%

HOMEWORK
Homework is an integral part of this course.  Many of the homework assignments are designed to have students analyze situations, perform tax research, and offer conclusions supported by appropriate tax authorities.  To complete these assignments correctly, it is suggested that students review several tax court cases (using the RIA internet tax service) to see the appropriate format and documentation needed to support a conclusion.  Note that quoting RIA citations to volumes (e.g., L-1326), or offering that "the IRS says" or "RIA says" is not authoritative.  Merely writing one word answers or answering an entire assignment on one sheet of paper usually suggests insufficient effort.

EXAMINATIONS
Exams contain a combination of problems, essay, short answer and/or objective questions, including "live" internet tax research and "live" computerized tax preparation. To prepare for exams, study material covered in class and WSJ articles.

Final exam is not comprehensive.

Exams are not scaled.

Failure to take an exam results in a grade of zero unless a well-documented excuse is furnished.

Make-up exams are given at the end of the semester only.

Cheating results in a grade of zero.

COMPUTERIZED TAX PREPARATION
Tax preparation software, which has been donated to Rider University by Creative Solutions Incorporated, will be used throughout the semester. Instructor-created tutorials, which detail how to use the software, are loaded on computers in the Ernst and Young Resource Center (SWG 302) and can be found on the desktop, in the folder labeled "CSI Tutorials." 

MISCELLANEOUS

• Attendance is discretionary.
• Use of tape recorders is prohibited.
• The instructor will sign course withdrawal forms up to the last day permitted by the registrar.

* Student homework presentation(s).