Master of Taxation (MTax) Program

MTax Program Curriculum

Course Descriptions

628 TAX RESEARCH (3 credits) This course develops research competence in federal income, estate, and gift tax laws. Students use various methods to research real tax cases and issues, with an emphasis on analytical and critical thinking as well as written communication and presentation skills. Using contemporary electronic resources and traditional paper products, the course covers the primary sources of tax law, the Internal Revenue Code, and administrative and judicial interpretations. This research class also gives students an opportunity to examine ethics and professional responsibility issues of interest to legal and accounting professionals who are practicing in the tax area.

631 CORPORATE TAXATION I (3 credits) This course provides a detailed examination of tax problems of corporations and their shareholders. Topics covered include tax consequences of the formation of a corporation, operational alternatives, distributions from a corporation to its shareholders, redemptions of stock, liquidations of corporations, and penalty taxes. Tax planning techniques involving these transactions are discussed.

632 TAXATION OF TRANSACTIONS IN PROPERTY (3 credits) This course examines and analyzes capital gains and losses; Section 1231 gains and losses; the limitations on loss deductions, including the passive activity loss and at-risk rules; the treatment of non-recourse debt as part of the amount realized and the adjusted basis of property; the amortization of intangible assets, such as goodwill and going concern; the tax consequences of involuntary conversions and like-kind exchanges; debt workouts, including the cancellation of indebtedness; and various other topics related to the taxation of property transactions.

641 TAXATION OF PARTNERSHIPS (3 credits) This course examines extensively provisions of Subchapter K of the Internal Revenue Code and uses of partnerships for tax planning. It covers tax treatment of partnership income in the hands of the partners; the conduit rule; problems associated with the formation, operation, and dissolution of the partnership; sale of the partnership interest; withdrawal and retirement of partners; basis adjustments; unrealized receivables and substantially appreciated inventory.

643 TAX ACCOUNTING (3 credits) This course focuses on the timing of income and expenses for individuals, businesses and their relation to tax planning. It considers the intricacies of the tax accounting rules and their contrast to financial accounting. It includes cash and accrual methods of accounting; inventory identification and valuation; tax depreciation; installment sales; interest expense; accounting methods and practice changes; net operating losses; long-term contracts; adoption of and change in accounting periods; and income tax allocation for financial reporting.

648 TAX PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE (3 credits) This course gives an in-depth study of the administration and procedures of the Internal Revenue Service and the responsibilities and ethics of the tax practitioner. It covers legal and practical aspects of Treasury regulations; administrative rulings; closing and compromise agreements; deficiency and jeopardy assessments; tax collections; civil penalties; rights and privileges of the taxpayer; waivers; and refund claims.

649 STATE AND LOCAL TAXATION (3 credits) This course examines common types of taxes imposed by state and local governments. It analyzes the tax treatment, tax problems, and tax planning techniques of businesses engaged in multistage activities. Emphasis is on Ohio law with substantive discussion of the tax laws of other states. Students examine the sources of state and local revenues derived from taxation, including business excise taxes, state sales and use taxes, property taxes, and personal income taxes. It also covers state taxation of e-commerce, domicile concepts, assessments; collection; and appeals of state and local taxes.

651 INTERNATIONAL TAXATION (3 credits) This course focuses on United States taxation of foreign income of domestic corporations, citizens and residents, as well as United States income of nonresident aliens and foreign corporations. It also provides an introduction to U.S. international taxation, with emphasis on inbound and outbound transactions. Topics covered include taxation of U.S. citizens abroad; individuals and corporations with resident and nonresident alien status; the concept of income effectively connected with U.S. trade or business; controlled foreign corporations; foreign tax credits; inter-companies pricing and allocation; and apportionment of domestic expense.

Elective Courses (not all electives will be offered)

629 TAX CRIMES AND FORENSICS (3 credits) This course is a comprehensive study of tax crimes and investigations.

633 ESTATE AND GIFT TAXATION (3 credits) This course analyzes provisions of federal estate and gift tax laws and tax consequences. It covers inter vivos gifts; annual exclusion; gift-splitting; charitable contributions; powers of appointment; retained interests; jointly owned property; life insurance proceeds; annuities and employee death benefits; marital deduction; credits; valuation problems; and estate tax deductions.

642 CORPRATE TAXATION II (3 credits) This course is a continuation of Corporate Tax I (631) and includes the study of Subchapter C of the Internal Revenue Code with a major focus on corporate reorganization. It covers specific issues of operating in the corporate form; carryovers of tax attributes; and limitations on carryovers. It also covers A, B, C, D, and E reorganizations which include corporate split-offs and spin-offs.

644 INCOME TAXATION OF DECEDENTS, ESTATES AND TRUSTS (3 credits) This course offers an in-depth examination of the decedent’s last income tax return along with the analysis of income taxation of the estates and trusts and their creators, fiduciaries, and beneficiaries. The course also covers trust accounting income for simple and complex trusts; calculation of distributable net income; taxable income; chartable contributions; the separate share rule; income in respect of a decedent; deductions, and grantor trusts rules are covered.

645 ADVANCED INDIVIDUAL TAXATION (3 credits) This course offers an in-depth study of some of the more involved areas of income taxation that are not included in other graduate courses that cover individual taxation. Among regularly covered topics are passive activity income and losses; interest income; and the Alternate Minimum Tax. Other current and timely taxation topics are covered depending on the taxation climate and situation.

646 CONSOLIDATED TAX RETURNS (3 credits) This course provides an intensive study of tax provisions covering the use of consolidated tax returns. It covers methods used by multiple related corporations to report income and losses; impact of corporate combination and separation; and timing problems. Explores consolidated tax return law, including concept and history; eligibility to file; and consolidated basis adjustments.

647 QUALIFIED PENSIONS AND PROFIT SHARING (3 credits) This course examines the nature, purpose, and operations of various forms of deferred compensation with emphasis on pension and profit sharing plans. It includes an in-depth study of the Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to qualified deferred compensation. The course is geared toward an understanding of the rules required for plan qualification with emphasis on qualified plan planning for various forms of businesses.

650 ESTATE PLANNING (3 credits) Students in this class consider the entire process of planning the estate with due regard for disposition of property, tax minimization, liquidity requirements, and administrative cost. The course covers general legal principles related to estate planning, lifetime giving (including utilization of the annual exclusion and alternate forms of wealth transfers); martial deductions planning (including QTIP elections, use of formula clauses); gifts to charity; use of life insurance in estate planning; planning for generation skipping transfers; advising clients of all ages; and post mortem planning.

652 TAX-EXEMPT ORGANIZATIONS (3 credits) This course presents an analysis of the tax aspects of tax-exempt organizations, including the nature of limitations of their exemption. Prohibited transaction rules; the private foundation; unrelated business and debt-financed income tax exposures are covered along with excise tax exemptions. Also covered are administrative appeals; anti-discrimination considerations; charitable contributions; and bargain sales.

662 S CORP TAXATION (3 credits) This course offers an in-depth study of Subchapter S of the Internal Revenue Code. It explores the tax treatment, problems, and planning techniques of the formation, operation, and termination of S corporations. Course coverage includes such issues as eligibility, election, revocation, termination, and accounting rules.

693 SELECTED TOPICS IN TAXATION (3 credits) This course provides students with an opportunity to study contemporary issues in taxation that are not covered in current courses. Students may take the course as part of a regular, faculty-led class or as an independent study. Examples of courses offered by faculty under the Selected Topics title are (1) Tax Crime and Forensics and (2) Mergers and Acquisitions. With the School of Accountancy’s approval, students may also use this course to study independently and write in any area agreed upon between the student and a member of the faculty. Independent study students are required to produce a written work of publishable quality to receive a final grade for the course.



The School of Accountancy will register students for the above courses each semester. Once registered, students must pay their tuition by the due date established by the University. The due date will be included in the invoice that each student receives after registration. Unless special documented arrangements are made with the University and communicated with the School of Accountancy, students who do not pay their tuition by the first day of classes will be dropped and will not be permitted to take classes in the program. In the event that a student drops a class or drops out of the program, requests for refunds shall be processed based on the University’s established policies.