CCCOnline LogoCourse Snapshot for ACC132 - Tax Help Colorado

The information listed below is subject to change. Please review the course syllabus within your online course at the start of class.

Course Competencies

The competencies you will demonstrate in this course are as follows:

  1.  Identify Filing Status for tax returns
  2.  Determine allowable exemptions
  3.  Determine income which includes wages, interest and dividends, alimony, business income, capital gains, pensions and annuities, unemployment compensation, social security benefits, and other income
  4.  Calculate adjustments to income which includes health savings, moving expense, alimony paid, IRA deduction, student loan interest deduction, and more.
  5. Calculate Tax and Credits which will include itemized deductions, credit for child and dependent care expenses, credit for the elderly or disabled, education benefits, savers credit, and child tax credits.
  6. Determine other Taxes, Payments, and Refunds: This section will include self-employment tax, direct deposit, and the earned income tax credit (EITC)
  7. Demonstrate proficiency using IRS approved income tax software.

Module Outcomes Mapped to Competencies

Module 1
  Outcomes Competencies
1 Explain the criteria that require a taxpayer to file a tax return A 
2 Identify and define the different filing statuses available for tax returns  A 
3 Analyze a taxpayer's situation to determine allowable exemptions for tax purposes  B 
Module 2
  Outcomes Competencies
1 Calculate taxable income  C 
2 Prepare tax returns using IRS software  G 
Module 3
  Outcomes Competencies
1 Calculate adjustments to taxable income  D 
2 Compute the amount of itemized deductions and compare it to the appropriate standard deduct amount to determine which is more advantageous for the taxpayer  D 
3 Prepare tax returns using IRS software  G 
Module 4
  Outcomes Competencies
1 Calculate tax credits  E 
2 Determine other taxes owed   F 
3 Calculate payments and refundable credits   F 
4 Prepare tax returns using IRS software  G 
Module 5
  Outcomes Competencies
1 Explain how the Affordable Care Act (ACA) affects federal income tax returns  F 
2 Apply Colorado Tax Code to prepare state tax returns  D, E, F, G 
3 Revise income tax returns   G 
4 Prepare tax returns using IRS software  G 

Course Time Commitment and Expectations

For every credit hour, students should plan to spend an average of 2-3 hours per week for course-related activities in a 15-week course. For example, a 3 credit hour course would average an average 6-9 hours per week to read/listen to the online content, participate in discussion forums, complete assignments, and study the course material. For 10  and 6-week courses, the amount of time per week will be higher so all course competencies, module outcomes, and assignments will be covered.

Course Activity Hours and Student Learning Hours
Course Credit Hours Course Format (Duration) Pace Relative to a 15 Week Course Course Activity Hours Student Learning Hours Per Week
2 15 weeks - 90 5 to 7
2 10 Weeks 1.5x faster 90 8.5 to 9.5

Aside from typical reading assignments, this course has the following (Please Note: This list is subject to change based on the discretion of the instructor facilitating this course.):

Summary of Grading
Assignment Points %
Discussions (5 @ 20 points each) 100 10%
Tax Forms (3 @ 10 points each)  30  3%
Tax Returns (13 @ 25 or 30 points each) 365 36.5%
Quizzes (9 @ various points each) 105 10.5%
IRS Certification Examinations/Questionnaire 400 40%
TOTAL 1,000 100%
Grading Scale
A = 90 to 100% B = 80 to 89% C = 70 to 79% D = 60 to 69% F = 59% and below

CCCOnline Course Quality Commitment

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