Table of Contents

Preface

part I Introduction to Taxation and Its Environment

1 AN INTRODUCTION TO TAXATION

KEY CONCEPTS

SETTING THE STAGE—AN INTRODUCTORY CASE

AN INTRODUCTION TO TAXATION

What Is a Tax?

A Brief History of Income Taxation in the United States

Objectives of Taxation

Current Influences on the Tax Law

THE TAXING UNITS AND THE BASIC INCOME TAX MODELS

The Individual and Corporate Tax Models

Gross Income

Property Transactions

Deductions

Determining the Gross Tax Liability

Tax Losses

Additions to the Tax Liability

Tax Prepayments and Credits

Other Entities

CHOICE OF BUSINESS ENTITY

Sole Proprietorships

Partnerships

Partner's Basis Account

Limited Liability Companies

Corporations

S Corporations

Comparing Business Entity Attributes

OTHER TYPES OF TAXES

Wealth Taxes

Wealth Transfer Taxes

Consumption Taxes

Tariffs and Duties

TYPES OF TAX RATE SYSTEMS

The Progressive Tax Rate System

Proportional “Flat” Tax Rate

Regressive Taxes

CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD TAX

Equity

Economy

Certainty

Convenience

REVISITING THE INTRODUCTORY CASE

SUMMARY

KEY TERMS

TEST YOURSELF

PROBLEM ASSIGNMENTS

Check Your Understanding

Crunch the Numbers

Think Outside the Text

Identify the Issues

Search the Internet

Develop Planning Skills

ANSWERS TO TEST YOURSELF

2 THE TAX PRACTICE ENVIRONMENT

KEY CONCEPTS

SETTING THE STAGE—AN INTRODUCTORY CASE

AN INTRODUCTION TO TAX PRACTICE

TAXES AND CASH FLOW

Cash Flows and Present Value

Significance of the Marginal Tax Rate

TAX PLANNING STRATEGIES

Timing Income and Deductions ...

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