Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Corporate Tax I (Online)

ACCT 6210-70I

Course: ACCT 6210-70I
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: ACFN
CRN: 30121

Course Description

The study of current federal income tax laws as they apply to corporations. (Fall) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Registration Restriction(s): MAcc majors only

Required Texts

Southern-Western Federal Taxation: Corporations, Partnerships, Estates & Trusts, 2026 Edition, 49th Edition
Sarah McNicol, James C. Young, Brad Cripe, Sharon Lassar, Mark Persellin, Andrew D. Cuccia
Print Edition ISBN: 9798214044033

Learning Outcomes

  1. Demonstrate a fundamental knowledge of corporate tax laws.
  2. Demonstrate the ability to analyze and apply complex tax laws to various facts and circumstances.
  3. Become aware of ethical issues in tax practice and begin to develop personal ethical boundaries relevant to tax practice.
  4. Apply technical and analytical skills in completing tax returns and exams.
  5. Develop competency in using the internet as a tool to assist students in keeping current on the ever changing tax laws by using internet tax applications such as CCH Research and www.IRS.gov to keep up with current law and current tax forms.
  6. Demonstrate proficiency in using tax preparation software.


Course Requirements

Homework Assignments:  Homework assignments will be completed through CNOWv2 and can be accessed through Canvas.  The assignments consist of 18-21 problems per chapter that are due the night before each exam.  Late assignments will be docked 10% per day late.   

Projects:  Students will prepare two corporate income tax returns and a corporate income tax provision.  Each project will be completed in a group of 2-3 students.  Each group need only submit one project with all group members names noted.  Each project must be submitted through Canvas in a timely manner.  I will review a draft of each project and provide feedback as long as your draft is submitted the day before the deadline (highly recommended!).  Use of tax preparation software is strictly prohibited (except for TR#2) and such use will result in a grade of 0 on the assignment.  All necessary forms for the tax returns can be found at www.IRS.gov.
 
Exams:  Exams will be taken through the online platform CNOWv2 and proctored through Canvas using Proctorio.  Students are allowed to use textbook and notes in the exam, but no assistance from any other person.  These exams are individual effort only.  An exam may consist of a mix of true/false, multiple choice, or short answer questions.   There is an exam for each chapter that we cover, five in total.

Course Outline

Module 1: Chapter 3 - "This chapter focuses on corporations. It begins with an introduction to the income taxation of corporations and then discusses calculating the tax liability of a corporation and special rules designed to prevent corporations and their shareholders from avoiding the double tax on dividend distributions. Finally, it covers various procedural matters that face a corporate taxpayer, including tax return filing requirements, estimated tax payments, reconciling book income to taxable income, and special disclosure schedules on the tax return." (Ch. 3 Introduction)

Module 2: Chapter 4 - "Chapter 4 continues this approach and addresses issues involving corporate formations, capital structure, and special investor rules: The tax consequences to shareholders and the corporation when shareholders transfer property to form a new corporation.  The tax results when shareholders transfer property to an already-existing corporation.  The capital structure of a corporation, including equity and debt financing.  The special tax treatment of corporate investor losses. The special treatment given to gain realized from the disposition of qualified small business stock." (Ch. 4 Introduction)

Module 3: Chapter 5 - "The tax treatment of corporate distributions plays a leading role in tax planning. For the shareholders, distributions received from the corporation may be treated as ordinary income, preferentially taxed dividend income, a capital gain, or a nontaxable recovery of capital. For the corporation, distributions made to shareholders are generally not deductible. However, a corporation may recognize losses in liquidating distributions (see Chapter 6), and gains may be recognized at the corporate level on distributions of appreciated property.This chapter discusses the tax rules related to nonliquidating distributions of cash and property. Distributions of stock and stock rights are also addressed." (Ch. 5 Introduction)

Module 4: Chapter 6 - "When a shareholder sells stock to an unrelated third party, the transaction typically is treated as a sale or exchange whereby the amount realized is offset by the shareholder’s stock basis and a capital gain (or loss) results. In such cases, the Code treats the proceeds as a return of the shareholder’s investment.  In a stock redemption, where a shareholder sells stock back to the issuing corporation, the transaction can have the effect of a dividend distribution rather than a sale or exchange.  The key distinction between a sale of stock to an unrelated third party and some stock redemptions is the effect of the transaction on the shareholder’s ownership interest in the corporation.  The Code does allow sale or exchange treatment for certain kinds of stock redemptions. In these transactions, as a general rule, the shareholder’s ownership interest is diminished as a result of the redemption.  This chapter examines the tax implications of corporate distributions that are stock redemptions and complete liquidations." (Ch. 6 Introduction)

Module 5: Chapter 8 - "Although some closely-held businesses operate in a multiple-corporation environment, about 35,000 large domestic and offshore corporations account for the vast majority of business assets and sales volume. Almost all of these large corporations are groups of related corporations rather than single entities. These corporate groups are subject to some special tax rules that are the subject of this chapter. At least two motivations underlie these special rules. One motivation is to make the tax results better reflect the way these groups of corporations operate. Another motivation is to prevent groups of corporations from aggressively and inappropriately reducing their joint tax liability by using related corporations." (Ch. 8 Introduction)

Module 6: Chapter 13 - "This chapter covers the basics of income tax accounting that should be relevant for most accounting professionals, including those engaged in financial reporting, auditing, and tax planning, as well as for finance professionals, investors, and policymakers who must interpret the income tax expense reported in financial statements. However, due to the different goals underlying financial reporting and the tax law, the income tax expense reported in a corporation’s financial statements will seldom equal the income tax liability reported on its tax return for the same reporting period. Interpreting the expense reported in the financial statements can be difficult for those not well versed in both financial accounting and tax law. Further, because of the complexities that arise in trying to provide tax-related information that achieves the goals of financial reporting, and the limited number of professionals well versed in both financial accounting and tax law, the income tax expense reported in the financial statements may not always be reliable." (Ch. 13 Introduction)

Module 7: Chapter 15 - "This chapter reviews the basic concepts of state and multistate income taxation, and it discusses the major areas in which tax planning can reduce a corporation’s overall state tax burden. The chapter concludes with a review of other types of taxes used by the U.S. states, with a special focus on sales and use taxes." (Ch. 15 Introduction)

Module 8: Chapter 16 - "Taxation of International Transactions - Explain the framework underlying the U.S. taxation of cross-border transactions.  Describe the interaction between Internal Revenue Code provisions and tax treaties.  Determine whether income is U.S.- or foreign-sourced.  Determine the impact of foreign-source income on a U.S. taxpayer’s U.S. tax liability.  Work with the anti-abuse provisions applicable to the outbound activities of U.S. taxpayers.  Apply the U.S. tax provisions concerning nonresident individuals and foreign corporations.  Apply foreign currency exchange rules as they affect the tax consequences of international transactions." (Ch. 16 Introduction)

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Homework: Late assignments will be docked 10% per day late.  
Projects: Late assignments will be docked 10% per day late.
Tests: No late submissions will be accepted.

Attendance Policy

Online course.  Attendance is not required. 

Course Fees

No additional course fees. 

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.