ACCT 4331

Federal Income Taxation of Individuals

Spring 2016
Instructor: Joshua Cutler
Office: 390C Melcher
Office Hours: W 10:00 am-1:00 pm or by
appointment
Web sites: http://www.uh.edu/blackboard,
http://connect.mheducation.com/class/j-cutler-spring-2016-100-pm

Phone: (713) 743-0337

E-mail: jdcutler@bauer.uh.edu
Class Location: MH 130

*The information in this syllabus is subject to change, students are expected to be aware of any changes
communicated by the professor during class, via email, or on blackboard.
Learning Objectives:
Welcome to Accounting 4331. This introductory course will help you develop an understanding of the basics of
the federal income tax system, primarily as it relates to individual taxpayers. This is intended to be useful to those
pursuing a career in tax accounting, but also to everyone else in the context of preparing your own taxes,
understanding the tax consequences of financial and other decisions, and being an informed citizen.
With those objectives in mind, we will (1) examine the major provisions of the tax law, (2) apply the law to
specific factual situations, (3) use critical thinking to understand the rationale behind certain provisions, and (4)
create an awareness and understanding of the income tax consequences involved in financial decision-making.
Prerequisite:
Junior standing or higher
Course Materials:
Required Text: McGraw-Hill Connect Access # OR Taxation of Individuals, 2016 edition, by Spilker, et al.,
McGraw-Hill.
You can either purchase just an access code, which includes an online version of the book and is cheaper, or you
can buy the book new at the bookstore, and a student access code will be included.
Textbook website: connect.mheducation.com, also available through blackboard.
Lecture Slides, Homework Solutions, and other materials will be posted to blackboard periodically.
Bring two Number 2 pencils and a good eraser to all tests.

Grading:
Attendance and Participation
Quizzes (3)
Midterm I
Midterm II
Final Exam, Comprehensive with emphasis on later chapters
Tax Return Project
Total Points:

50
150
200
200
300
100
1000

Letter grades are based on the following point intervals:

A: 1000-900
B: 899-800
C: 799-700
D: 699-600
F: 599-0
Grades may, at the discretion of the instructor, be adjusted upward, but not downward, based on the difficulty of
exams. For example, if the exams prove more difficult than expected, a uniform number of points may be added
to each students final point total at the end of the semester to achieve a more reasonable grade distribution.
Grades will never be adjusted in a way that hurts you, i.e. if you finish with 900 points, you will never receive
less than an A, but if you finished with 780 points, it is possible (but not guaranteed) that you could still receive a
B.
Optional Homework Problems:
On the tentative schedule below, the material that will be covered in each chapter is identified, and a list of
optional homework problems is given. Working through problems is one of the most effective ways to understand
the material and perform better on exams, however I also understand that you are busy. Therefore, I have tried to
design a system that rewards you for doing homework problems without punishing you when you are unable to
do so. Students who elect to do the homework problems will have their homework score replace up to half of their
quiz points. The homework points will replace the lowest quiz, and half of the second-lowest quiz, but only if that
will result in a higher grade. Students do not have to complete all homework assignments to receive points, but
their homework will replace a proportionately smaller percentage of quiz points when less homework is
completed. For example, a student who completes half of the homework assignments will be eligible to have up
to 25% of their quiz points replaced. Students who turn in no homework assignments will not be penalized, and
will simply be graded under the point system originally outlined above. (But remember that in my experience
students who do more homework tend to perform better on exams.) Each homework will become available online
at 8:00am on the first day the material is covered, and due by 8:00am one week after we finish covering that
chapter. Late assignments are penalized 10% for each day late. The homework is available and must be completed
online through the McGraw-Hill Connect website, which can also be accessed via Blackboard. The online system
allows you to check your work and make multiple attempts before the due date. I will also post solutions to the
problems on blackboard after the assignments are due.

Quizzes
We will have three quizzes which are intended to test your learning and help you prepare for exams. You may be
required to complete some of the quizzes online, and some may be given in class. In either case, you must work
alone but with online quizzes you are allowed to use your book and notes.
Exams
We will have two mid-term exams and one final exam. The Final exam will be comprehensive, but with a heavier
weight on the later chapters. Students are allowed to fill one sheet of 8 by 11 inch paper (both sides) with any
notes that they wish and use it during the exam, but you must put your name and myUH number at the top of the
sheet and turn it in with your exam. Otherwise the exams are closed book. Some or all of each exam will consist
of multiple choice questions, and the Bauer College of Business requires students to purchase and bring their own
Scantron forms to the exam, as well as at least two number two pencils. Students must also bring their UH
ID/Cougar Card to each exam and leave it visible on the desk in front of you. You may also bring a calculator, but
no graphing calculators or any other type which is capable of recording information. The use of smartphones or
any other electronic device is strictly prohibited during exams and may result in a failing grade on the exam, or
the entire course, at the instructors discretion.
Tax Return Project
Later in the semester students will be given a project which requires you to prepare a federal income tax return
using tax preparation software. ProSeries software is available free in the Bauer computer labs for students.
Students may also purchase software such as TurboTax Premier if they desire. Students may work alone or in
groups of up to 3 students, with the entire group receiving the same grade. Late projects are not accepted without
prior approval of the instructor.
Attendance and Participation:
Attending class is correlated with how well students perform on exams. To encourage and reward attendance, I
periodically take attendance and award a small number of points. If, for some reason, you are going to miss a
class, it is your responsibility to inform me beforehand and find out what will be covered in class. Attendance will
sometimes be based on completion of in-class assignments when we have them, or a sign-in sheet may be passed
around during class. Participation is also based on any in-class assignments as well as making a good faith effort
to respond to questions when called upon or participate in class discussions.
Please do not use laptops, cell phones, etc. while in class.
Communication:
You are responsible for the content of any e-mail, blackboard or classroom announcements. If you e-mail me,
please include ACCT 4331 and your class meeting time (e.g. 11:30am) in the subject line.
Students with Documented Disabilities:
The Bauer College of Business is committed to helping students who have disabilities achieve their highest
potential. To receive academic accommodations, students must register with the Center for Students with
Disabilities (CSD) (telephone 7137435400) and present approved accommodation documentation to Dr. Cutler
before the date of the first examination.

Academic Integrity:
Honesty and integrity are key values that will enhance your life and happiness, and especially important for those
aspiring to the accounting profession. The University of Houston Academic Honesty Policy is strictly enforced by
the Bauer College of Business. No violations of this policy are tolerated. A discussion of the policy is included in
the University of Houston Student Handbook, http://www.uh.edu/dos.hdbk.acad.achinpol.html. Communication
of any kind during the examinations and quizzes is not permitted and will result in a failing grade in the course.
Instructor Evaluations
The Bauer College of Business requires all of its instructors to be evaluated by their students, and I use this
feedback to help me become a better teacher. These evaluations are also used in promotion, salary adjustment, and
other administrative decisions. In addition to formal feedback at the end of the semester, I encourage you to
provide informal feedback at any time throughout the term.
Withdrawals and Incompletes
The last day to withdraw without receiving a grade is February 3. The last day to drop or withdraw with a W is
April 1, but students must have a passing (D or better) grade at the time or withdrawal in order to receive a W.
An incomplete is given only when the student is earning a passing grade, but is unable to complete the final
portion of the class because of illness.
Bauers Commitment to Learning
The Bauer College of Business and The Department of Accountancy & Taxation have established learning goals
for each of our programs. Information about the learning goals for accounting may be found at
http://www.bauer.uh.edu/departments/accy/why-accounting/accounting-learning-goals.php. This course
incorporates the following BBA Accounting program learning goals:
Capacity to record, analyze, and interpret financial and other information
Capacity to identify and diagnose accounting problems
Capacity to verbally communicate business information
Capacity to recognize ethical and regulatory dilemmas
Basic understanding of accounting and financial concepts

Tentative Schedule