I. General Information

1. Course Title:
Tax Updates with Tax Software

2. Course Prefix & Number:
ACCT 2170

3. Course Credits and Contact Hours:

Credits: 1

Lecture Hours: 1

4. Course Description:

Students will demonstrate the most current tax laws through the use of TaxWise software by preparing individual tax returns. Students will volunteer to prepare individual tax returns at a VITA site of their choosing within a 60-mile radius of Central Lakes College.

5. Placement Tests Required:

6. Prerequisite Courses:

8. Prerequisite (Entry) Skills:
Ability to research, understand and application of taxation policy on various entities.

9. Co-requisite Courses:

There are no corequisites for this course.

II. Transfer and Articulation

III. Course Purpose

1. Program-Applicable Courses – This course is required for the following program(s):

Name of Program(s)	Program Type
Accounting	AAS

IV. Learning Outcomes

1. College-Wide Outcomes

College-Wide Outcomes/Competencies	Students will be able to:
Demonstrate oral communication skills	Communicate with taxpayers to understand the application of tax policy.
Demonstrate reading and listening skills	Listen to taxpayers explanations to properly prepare their tax returns.
Apply ethical principles in decision-making	Apply ethical principles to tax return preparation.

2. Course Specific Outcomes - Students will be able to achieve the following measurable goals upon completion of the course:

Expected Outcome	MnTC Goal Area
Demonstrate an understanding of current federal and state tax laws.
Access, research and use various internet authoritative tax resources.
Calculate the correct tax position and prepare a Federal and Minnesota Income Tax return along with appropriate schedules in good form for various taxpayers.
Achieve IRS certification at an advanced level using interactive training modules.
Volunteer to prepare tax returns at VITA Sites using TaxWise Software.
Demonstrate professional ethical conduct and apply ethical principles when preparing tax returns.
Communicate effectively with taxpayers regarding the application of tax policy to their tax position and filing requirements.

V. Topical Outline

Listed below are major areas of content typically covered in this course.

1. Lecture Sessions

1.  Overview of IRS website
   a. Access, research, and use various internet resources
   b. Application of tax policy
2. Overview of MN Department of Revenue Website
   a. Access, research, and use various internet resources
   b. Application  of tax policy
3. Volunteer Standards of Conduct
   a. Volunteer agreement
   b. Confidentiality Statement
4. VITA/TCE Training
   a. Publication 17
   b. Publication 4491 & 4491W
   c. Publication 4012
   d. Form 6744
5. Introduction to TaxWise Software
   a. Getting Started         
   b. Working with tax returns
            i.      Starting a new return                                                                                             ii.      Working with the Main information Sheet
          iii.      Working with entries, forms and statements
          iv.      Linking to a Form
           v.      Printing a return
6. IRS Link and learn  Certification
   a. Complete interactive training modules for the basic certification
   b. Complete interactive training modules for the intermediate certification
   c. Complete interactive training modules for the advanced certification