Tax Law I case studies
Tax Law I · Put your knowledge to work in context.
Tax Law I is the first course in the federal income tax sequence taken by law students and by accounting and taxation candidates who need a working command of how the Internal Revenue Code is structured and applied. It is not a credential issued by any single body; it is a course and exam title used across JD, LLM, MST, and undergraduate tax programs, and the syllabus below is a representative map of what such a course assesses rather than an official blueprint from the IRS, a state bar, or an accrediting agency. The Tax Law I case studies are 5 cases and about 3,398 words.
1Conflicting Authority and a Client Who Refuses Disclosure
Priya is a CPA in Seattle preparing the 2024 Form 1120-S for a client whose only shareholder lives in Washington. The client wants to deduct $310,000 paid to a former executive as 'consulting fees' after the executive left.
701 words, about 4 min2Settlement Allocation and the Attorney Fee Deduction
Marcus, a 47-year-old marketing director, was terminated in 2023 after complaining about race discrimination. He sued his employer.
650 words, about 3 min3Photography Losses: Profit Motive and the Home Office
Elena has a 215,000 salary as a hospital administrator and operates a wedding photography business from her home. In 2024 the business had gross receipts of 46,000, cost of goods sold (prints, albums, travel to shoots) of 19,000, and other cash expenses of 21,000, including equipment repairs, software, advertising, and mileage.
728 words, about 4 min4§1231 Netting, Recapture, and an Installment Sale
Quantrell is a sole proprietor who sold three assets in 2024. Asset A is a warehouse used in his business since 2010.
638 words, about 3 min5A Preparer's Duties After Discovering an Altered Receipt
Devon, a CPA, prepared the 2023 Form 1040 for Nadia, a bakery owner. In June 2024, while preparing the 2024 return, Devon discovers that Nadia's 2023 return claimed a 48,000 charitable deduction for a donation of baked goods to a food bank.
681 words, about 3 min