Spring 2018 Course Schedule

Federal Personal Income Tax (LAW-647-001)
David Kempler

Meets: 03:00 PM - 04:50 PM (MoWe) - Yuma - Room Y400

Enrolled: 15 / Limit: 45

Administrator Access


Notices

There are no notices at this time.

Description

This course is designed to teach the student the basic principles and concepts of our federal income tax system. While the course may appear to be more difficult for those students who do not have an business or accounting background, this is not an accounting course. Numbers are limited to examples of the principles, and there are no mathematical calculations on the final examination.

The judicial and administrative decisions that we will study are based on the Internal Revenue Code and the Regulations thereunder which can be complex at times. Tax is an area of the law that is subject to constant change, mainly because it is an important tool in the country's economic policy. While precedent is important, it is not as much so as in other areas off the law. Most tax controversies are settled administratively, so it is important to understand both policy and reasons for the particular statute to intelligently argue a taxpayer's position.

Textbooks and Other Materials

The textbook information on this page was provided by the instructor. Students should use this information when considering purchases from the AU Campus Store or other vendors. Students may check to determine if books are currently available for purchase online.

(1) Bankman, Shaviro, Stark, and Kleinbard, “Federal Income Taxation” (17th edition) – Walters Kluwer Publishers;

(2) Lathrope, “Selected Federal Taxation Statutes and Regulations” (2018 or latest edition) – West Publishers.

It is imperative that you read the applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code") and the Income Tax Regulations ("Regulations") that are assigned for each class. The holdings in many cases in the book have been changed by subsequent legislation.

In addition to the material listed below, there may be more cases and IRS pronouncements assigned during the semester, so please check online on a regular basis. Also, please stay at least 30-35 pages ahead for the next class even if we do not cover all of the material in a given assignment. If you have any questions concerning the class please contact me.

(3) Further, go to IRS.gov and print out 2017 Form 1040 and its Schedules A, B, C, D, and E when they become available. We will refer to them in class.

First Class Readings

Introduction

- Bankman, Shaviro, Stark, and Kleinbard, 17th edition ("Bankman, et. al.") pp. 1-43

Syllabus

Use your MyAU username and password to access the syllabus in the following format(s):