Basic Federal Income Taxation (690-1)
Instructors
Ariel David Glogower
Meeting Info
Rubloff Building 180: Mon, Tues, Wed 2:35PM - 3:30PM
Overview of class
This course serves as an introduction to U.S. federal income tax law. You will not learn how to fill out your tax return or about accounting. Tax isn't primarily about numbers; rather, it is about the government's role in the economy and the distribution of resources.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, you should have a better understanding of: (1) The basic structure of and concepts underlying the U.S. federal income tax system (income, deductions, exclusions, credits, etc.). (2) How to read a statute and figure out what the law is. (3) The different sources of tax law, including not only the Code and regulations, but also administrative guidance, and the relative weight that each of these sources is due. (4) The fundamentals of tax policy.
Class Materials (Required)
The most important reading you will do in this class is of the tax code and regulations. A PDF of the Code and regulations we will read in this class will be on Canvas. You can order a bound hard copy of that PDF for cost; the link will be on Canvas. You may prefer a published hard copy such as Bank & Stark, Selected Sections Federal Income Tax Code and Regulations; CCH, Federal Income Tax, Code & Regulations - Selected Sections; or any other fairly current edition of selected sections of the Federal Income Tax Code and Regulations. There are also readings from Katherine Pratt, Thomas D. Griffith, and Joseph Bankman, Federal Income Tax: Examples and Explanations (most recent edition). This is available as an e-book for free; the link will be on Canvas. You must have the current edition, because the law has changed significantly. Additional readings and problems for the topics are in packets that will be posted as PDFs on Canvas and linked under the relevant topic. You can order a bound hard copy of the full set of packets for cost; the link will be posted on Canvas (ordering this is not required, though the readings and problems in the packets are required).
Class Materials (Suggested)
Marvin Chirelstein & Lawrence Zelenak, Federal Income Taxation (15th ed. 2023, ISBN 9781647083144) provides a high-level view of some concepts this class covers. This is available as an e-book for free; the link will be on Canvas.
Class Notes
First, this class is taught using the problem method. Here's how it works each week. BEFORE CLASS: Read the assigned materials and prepare the assigned problems. DURING CLASS: During part of class, I will lecture. There will be brief pauses in the lecture for you to answer short review/comprehension questions. After I finish the lecture, still during class, you will work on problems in small groups. I will go from group to group listening and answering questions. Periodically we will come back together and one of the small groups will present the answer to the problem to the class. Then we will move on to the next topic, with the same lecture/comprehension questions/group work pattern. AFTER CLASS: Keep reviewing the material, including posting on the discussion board and coming to office hours. Second, the exam is in person, at the law school, scheduled, on the time and day and at the location set by the registrar.
Class Attributes
Open to First Year Students
Business/Corporate transactions an element
Family Law Practice Area in course
Taxation Practice Area present in course
Enrollment Requirements
Enrollment Requirements: MSL Students are not eligible to enroll