TAX 650 Milestone Three Guidelines and Rubric
In this milestone, written as a memorandum to the client described in the final project data sheet, you will recommend a type of business entity for the client. In
explaining your recommendation, discuss liability issues, tax effects, and the economic impact on the client’s personal returns. Justify your recommendation
regarding whether the client’s daughter should have an ownership interest in the new company with details related to the transaction.
Specifically, the following critical elements must be addressed:
1. Recommend a type of business entity for the client to consider based on your tax research. Justify your recommendation using the code and regulations
that relate to the business entity.
2. Justify whether or not the client should choose a business entity that has limited liability protection. Include possible future liability issues based on the
potential economic impact and appropriate Internal Revenue Code and Treasury regulations.
3. Describe the tax effect on the recommended business entity and the impact it will have on the client’s personal tax return. Address how the choice of
business entity affects the completion of the 1040 tax form.
4. Evaluate the economic impact on the client’s personal returns based on the recommended entity. Justify why the client would not choose the other
business entities by informing the client of the differences.
5. Justify your recommendation regarding the client’s daughter having an ownership interest. Provide details supporting the recommendation taking into
consideration the jargon and mechanics of the transaction.
Rubric
Guidelines for Submission: Your memorandum must be submitted as a 2- to 3-page Microsoft Word document with double spacing, 12-point Times New Roman
font, one-inch margins, and at least three sources cited in APA format.
Critical Elements
Business Entity
Proficient (100%)
Recommends a type of business
entity for the client to consider that
is based on tax research
Needs Improvement (75%)
Recommends a type of business
entity but either the cited Internal
Revenue Code and Treasury
regulations are inaccurate or details
are cursory
Not Evident (0%)
Does not recommend a type of
business entity
Value
20
Critical Elements
Limited Liability Protection
Tax Effect
Economic Impact: Personal
Returns
Ownership Interest
Articulation of Response
Proficient (100%)
Justifies whether or not the client
should choose a business entity that
has limited liability protection and
includes possible future liability
issues consistent with Internal
Revenue code and Treasury
regulations
Describes the tax effect on the
recommended business entity and
the impact on the client’s personal
tax return
Evaluates the economic impact on
the client’s personal returns based
on the recommended entity and
justifies response by including
information about the other entities
Justifies recommendation regarding
the client’s daughter having an
ownership interest using details
supporting the recommendation
Submission has no major errors
related to citations, grammar,
spelling, syntax, or organization
Needs Improvement (75%)
Justifies whether or not to choose a
business entity that has limited
liability protection but does not
include possible future liability
issues, possible future liability issues
are not consistent with Internal
Revenue Code and Treasury
regulations, or details are either
inaccurate or cursory
Describes the tax effect on the
recommended business entity and
the impact on the client’s personal
tax return, but details are irrelevant
or cursory
Evaluates the economic impact of
client’s personal returns but does not
provide justification or details lack
relevance or are cursory
Not Evident (0%)
Does not justify whether or not to
choose a business entity that has
limited liability protection
Value
20
Does not describe the tax effect on
the recommended business entity
and the impact on the client’s
personal tax return
20
Does not evaluate the economic
impact of client’s personal returns
15
Justifies recommendation regarding
client’s daughter having an
ownership interest but details either
lack relevance or are cursory
Submission has major errors related
to citations, grammar, spelling,
syntax, or organization that
negatively impact readability and
articulation of main ideas
Does not justify the recommendation
regarding client’s daughter having
ownership interest
15
Submission has critical errors related
to citations, grammar, spelling,
syntax, or organization that prevent
understanding of ideas
10
Total
100%
TAX 650 Final Project Guidelines and Rubric
Overview
The final project for this course is the creation of a memorandum with appendix.
As an associate working in a privately held enterprise or working with privately held clients, it is imperative to be able to advise clients on the tax implications of
their financial investments. The ability to model the tax consequences of transactions and do cost benefit analysis is crucial.
For your final project, you will model the role of an associate working in a private consulting firm. You will demonstrate your ability to advise clients on whether
they should operate as a sole proprietor, a partnership, an S corporation, or a C corporation. Additionally, using your tax research skills and understanding of
federal income taxation, you will have the opportunity to evaluate tax consequences from sales and distributions for their compliance with the Internal Revenue
Code and Treasury regulations. The use of appropriate tax authority research is expected throughout the assignment, as its use is required by the Internal
Revenue Service (IRS).
The project is divided into four milestones, which will be submitted at various points throughout the course to scaffold learning and ensure quality final
submissions. These milestones will be submitted in Modules Three, Five, Seven, and Eight. The final product will be submitted in Module Nine.
In this assignment, you will demonstrate your mastery of the following course outcomes:
Recommend an appropriate business tax entity based on the analysis of a tax situation for achieving favorable economic impact on the client’s taxable
income
Utilize appropriate tax forms and schedules that compute taxable income on individual tax returns and reflect versatility of thought, resulting in the best
economic solution for the individual taxpayer
Apply accrual and cash basis accounting best practices and moral reasoning in determining when business transactions may be reported for income tax
purposes
Assess the economic impact on taxable income for the business tax entity in relation to Internal Revenue Code and Treasury regulations and the optimum
desired outcomes for the client
Evaluate the tax consequences that result from sales or distributions of property for their compliance with IRS Circular 230, Internal Revenue Code, and
the American Institute for Certified Public Accountants and for advising the client
Prompt
You are currently working at a mid-sized certified public accounting firm. Your client is Bob Jones. Bob has hired your firm for professional advice regarding
whether he should operate as a sole proprietor, a partnership, an S corporation, or a C corporation.
Using the supplied Data Sheet for Final Project document, prepare a memorandum to the client recommending a type of business entity, including an appendix
of supporting IRS tax schedules and forms.
Specifically, the following critical elements must be addressed:
I.
Recommendation
A. Recommend a type of business entity for the client to consider based on your tax research. Consider justifying your recommendation using the
code and regulations that relate to the business entity.
B. Differentiate between accrual accounting and cash basis. Based on the type of business and the client’s accounting system, what is the impact
when revenue is recognized?
C. Based on the decision of accrual vs. cash basis, describe when revenue would be recognized on the sale of inventory, and how the accrual
reporting differs from cash basis.
D. Determine the economic impact on the client’s financial situation. Based on your decision, determine the potential tax liability, keeping in mind
appropriate Internal Revenue Code and Treasury regulations.
E. Identify the tax consequences on the sale or exchange of the land consistent with capital gain rules. Consider the selling expense, broker’s fees,
closing costs, appraisals, and surveys and the correct schedule form to complete.
F. Justify whether or not the client should choose a business entity that has limited liability protection. Be sure to include possible future liability
issues based on the potential economic impact and appropriate Internal Revenue Code and Treasury regulations.
G. Describe the tax effect on the recommended business entity and the impact it will have on the client’s personal tax return. Consider addressing
how the business entity affects the completion of the 1040 tax form.
II.
Conclusion
A. Evaluate the economic impact on the client’s personal returns based on the recommended entity. Justify why the client would not choose the
other business entities by informing the client of the differences.
B. Justify your recommendation regarding the client’s daughter having an ownership interest. Provide details supporting the recommendation
taking into consideration the jargon and mechanics of the transaction.
C. Summarize cash or accrual basis accounting systems in relation to the selected business entity. Consider how the accounting system impacts
revenue recognition consistent with Internal Revenue Code and Treasury regulations.
D. Describe the after tax effects on the client’s cash flow based on the sale of the land that is needed to provide the funds necessary to start the
business. Consider including capital gains tax rules.
E. Explain whether or not the client and his child should take a salary or cash distribution according to tax purposes and Internal Revenue Code
and Treasury regulations. Consider the type of business and the tax effect whether it is salary, dividends, or cash withdrawal.
III.
Appendix
Based on your recommendation to the client regarding proprietorship, taxable income, and sale of land, complete the appropriate tax schedules and
forms described below.
A. Prepare the appropriate schedule(s) and tax form(s) for the recommended business entity.
B. Prepare the appropriate pages of Form 1040 including all relevant tax schedules and forms to reflect taxable income based on your calculations
and the disposition of assets.
C. Illustrate how creative problem solving and versatility of thought impact professional advice that you intended to result in the best economic
solutions for the client. Consider providing real-world examples to support your claims.
Milestones
Milestone One: Gross Income and Capital Gains
In Module Three, you will submit a draft of the gross income and capital gains, analyzing the following critical elements: I. Recommendation, Section E, and II.
Conclusion, Sections D and E. You must compute the property disposition capital gain and taxation of gross income. In completing this assignment, consider the
tax effect of salary dividends or cash withdrawal in accordance with Internal Revenue Code and Treasury regulations. This assignment will be submitted as a
Word document. This milestone is graded with the Milestone One Rubric.
Milestone Two: Revenue Recognition and Accounting Methods
In Module Five, you will submit a draft of the revenue recognition and accounting methods, summarizing the following critical elements: I. Recommendation,
Sections B, C, and D, and II. Conclusion, Section C. You will determine revenue recognition and the economic impact of the client’s financial situation. Based on
your decision, determine the potential tax liability, keeping in mind appropriate Internal Revenue Code and Treasury regulations. This assignment will be
submitted as a Word document. This milestone is graded with the Milestone Two Rubric.
Milestone Three: Choice of Business Entity
In Module Seven, you will submit a draft of the choice of business entity, analyzing the following critical elements: I. Recommendation, Sections A, F, and G, and
II. Conclusion, Sections A and B. The short paper will communicate tax aspects of business entities to the client. This assignment will be submitted as a Word
document. This milestone is graded with the Milestone Three Rubric.
Milestone Four: Tax Forms
In Module Eight, you will submit IRS draft tax forms, analyzing all of the critical elements in III. Appendix, sections A, B, and C. Based on your research, the tax
forms and schedules will support your recommendation to the client. This assignment will be submitted as completed tax forms, which are provided to you in
your textbook resource CD or on the IRS website. This milestone is graded with the Milestone Four Rubric.
Final Submission: Memorandum With Appendix
In Module Nine, you will submit a memorandum to the client, including an appendix with all IRS tax forms and schedules necessary to support your advice. It
should be a complete, polished artifact containing all of the critical elements of the final project. It should reflect the incorporation of feedback gained
throughout the course. This submission is graded with the Final Project Rubric.
Deliverables
Milestone
One
Two
Deliverable
Gross Income and Capital Gains
Module Due
Three
Grading
Graded separately; Milestone One Rubric
Five
Graded separately; Milestone Two Rubric
Three
Revenue Recognition and Accounting
Methods
Choice of Business Entity
Seven
Graded separately; Milestone Three Rubric
Four
Tax Forms
Eight
Graded separately; Milestone Four Rubric
Final Submission: Memorandum With
Appendix
Nine
Graded separately; Final Project Rubric
Final Project Rubric
Guidelines for Submission: Your memorandum must be a 7- to 10-page Word document (plus a cover page and reference page). Inline (parenthetical) references
and the Reference page must be written in APA format. Use double spacing, 12-point Times New Roman font, and one-inch margins. Your memorandum must
include an appendix containing electronic PDF versions of the appropriate tax forms and schedules. View the article How to Insert a PDF Into Word on PC or Mac
for a tutorial on how to embed PDF documents into Word.
Critical Elements
Recommendation:
Business Entity
Recommendation:
Accrual Accounting vs.
Cash Basis
Recommendation:
Revenue Recognized on
the Sale
Exemplary
Meets “Proficient” criteria
and details are justified
using appropriate Internal
Revenue Code and Treasury
regulations relevant to
recommended business
entity (100%)
Meets “Proficient” criteria
and provides a full
description of which
entities require accrual and
when it is optional (100%)
Meets “Proficient” criteria
and describes the
installment method of
reporting revenue (100%)
Proficient
Recommends a type of
business entity for the client to
consider that is based on tax
research (90%)
Needs Improvement
Recommends a type of
business entity but either the
cited Internal Revenue Code
and Treasury regulations are
inaccurate or details are
cursory (70%)
Not Evident
Does not recommend a type of
business entity (0%)
Value
6.4
Differentiates between accrual
accounting and cash basis and
identifies the impact of the
revenue (90%)
Differentiates between accrual
accounting and cash basis and
identifies the impact of the
revenue, but the details are
inaccurate or cursory (70%)
Describes when revenue would
be recognized and how the
reporting differs but details are
inaccurate or cursory (70%)
Does not differentiate between
accrual accounting and cash
basis or does not identify the
impact of the revenue (0%)
6.4
Does not describe when
revenue would be recognized
or how the reporting differs
(0%)
6.4
Describes when revenue would
be recognized and how the
reporting differs for accrual
accounting vs. cash basis (90%)
Critical Elements
Recommendation:
Economic Impact
Exemplary
Meets “Proficient” criteria
and addresses payroll tax
issues and self-employment
tax (100%)
Proficient
Determines the economic
impact on the client’s financial
situation and potential tax
liability, and determinations are
consistent with Internal
Revenue Code and Treasury
regulations (90%)
Meets “Proficient” criteria
and comprehensively
addresses all expenses
including how best to
report on the schedule
(100%)
Meets “Proficient” criteria
and includes information
about limited liability
companies (100%)
Identifies the tax consequences
on the sale or exchange of the
land consistent with capital
gains rules (90%)
Recommendation: Tax
Effect
Meets “Proficient” criteria
and addresses the client’s
after tax flow (100%)
Describes the tax effect on the
recommended business entity
and the impact on the client’s
personal tax return (90%)
Conclusion: Economic
Impact: Personal
Returns
Meets “Proficient” criteria
and shows keen insight into
the advantages and
disadvantages of choosing
appropriate business
entities (100%)
Evaluates the economic impact
on the client’s personal returns
based on the recommended
entity and justifies response by
including information about the
other entities (90%)
Recommendation: Tax
Consequences
Recommendation:
Limited Liability
Protection
Justifies whether or not the
client should choose a business
entity that has limited liability
protection and includes
possible future liability issues
consistent with Internal
Revenue Code and Treasury
regulations (90%)
Needs Improvement
Determines the economic
impact on the financial
situation and potential tax
liability but either the
referenced Internal Revenue
Code and Treasury regulations
are inaccurate or details are
cursory (70%)
Identifies tax consequences but
details are either inconsistent
with capital gains rules or
cursory (70%)
Not Evident
Does not determine the
economic impact on the
financial situation and potential
tax liability (0%)
Value
6.4
Does not identify tax
consequences (0%)
6.4
Justifies whether or not to
choose a business entity that
has limited liability protection
but does not include possible
future liability issues, possible
future liability issues are not
consistent with Internal
Revenue Code and Treasury
regulations, or details are
either inaccurate or cursory
(70%)
Describes the tax effect on the
recommended business entity
and the impact on the client’s
personal tax return, but details
are irrelevant or cursory (70%)
Evaluates the economic impact
of client’s personal returns but
does not provide justification or
details lack relevance or are
cursory (70%)
Does not justify whether or not
to choose a business entity that
has limited liability protection
(0%)
6.4
Does not describe the tax effect
on the recommended business
entity and the impact on the
client’s personal tax return (0%)
6.4
Does not evaluate the
economic impact of client’s
personal returns (0%)
6.4
Critical Elements
Conclusion: Ownership
Interest
Exemplary
Meets “Proficient” criteria
and uses appropriate voice
for the audience (100%)
Conclusion: Cash or
Accrual Basis
Accounting System
Meets “Proficient” criteria
and identifies the impact on
revenue recognition
consistent with Internal
Revenue Code and Treasury
regulations (100%)
Conclusion: Tax Effects
on Cash Flow
Conclusion: Salary or
Cash Distribution
Appendix: Schedules
and Tax Forms
Appendix: Form 1040
Meets “Proficient” criteria
and cites capital gains tax
rules relating to gains and
losses (100%)
Meets “Proficient” criteria
and includes the tax effect
on salary, dividends, or cash
withdrawal (100%)
Proficient
Justifies recommendation
regarding the client’s daughter
having an ownership interest
using details supporting the
recommendation (90%)
Summarizes, using moral
reasoning, cash or accrual basis
accounting systems in relation
to the selected business entity
consistent with appropriate
Internal Revenue Code and
Treasury regulations (90%)
Describes the after tax effects
on the client’s cash flow based
on the sale of the land that is
needed to start the business
(90%)
Explains whether or not the
client and his child should take
a salary or cash distribution
according to tax purposes and
Internal Revenue Code and
Treasury regulations (90%)
Prepares the appropriate
schedule(s) and tax form(s) for
the recommended business
entity accurately and
completely (100%)
Prepares the appropriate pages
of Form 1040 accurately and
completely, including relevant
tax schedules and forms (100%)
Needs Improvement
Justifies recommendation
regarding client’s daughter
having an ownership interest
but details either lack relevance
or are cursory (70%)
Summarizes cash or accrual
basis accounting systems in
relation to the selected
business entity, but details
either lack moral reasoning or
are cursory (70%)
Not Evident
Does not justify the
recommendation regarding
client’s daughter having
ownership interest (0%)
Value
6.4
Does not summarize cash or
accrual basis accounting
systems in relation to the
selected business entity (0%)
6.4
Describes the after tax effects
on the client’s cash flow that
are needed to start the
business but details are either
inaccurate or cursory (70%)
Explains whether or not the
client and his child should take
a salary or cash distribution but
details are cursory or not
consistent with tax purposes
and Internal Revenue code and
Treasury regulations (70%)
Prepares the appropriate
schedule(s) and tax form(s) for
the recommended business
entity, but details are
incomplete or inaccurate (70%)
Prepares the appropriate pages
of Form 1040, including
relevant tax schedules and
forms, but details are either
incomplete or inaccurate (70%)
Does not describe the after tax
effects on the client’s cash flow
that are needed to start the
business (0%)
6.4
Does not explain whether or
not the client and his child
should take a salary or cash
distribution (0%)
6.4
Does not prepare the
appropriate schedule(s) and tax
form(s) for the recommended
business entity (0%)
6.4
Does not complete the
appropriate pages of Form
1040 or does not include
relevant tax forms and
schedules (0%)
6.4
Critical Elements
Appendix: Professional
Advice
Exemplary
Meets “Proficient” and
provides real-world
examples to support claims
(100%)
Proficient
Illustrates how creative
problem solving and versatility
of thought impacts professional
advice intended to result in the
best economic solutions for the
client (90%)
Articulation of
Response
Submission is free of errors
related to citations,
grammar, spelling, syntax,
and organization and is
presented in a professional
and easy-to-read format
(100%)
Submission has no major errors
related to citations, grammar,
spelling, syntax, or organization
(90%)
Needs Improvement
Illustrates how creative
problem solving and versatility
of thought impacts professional
advice intended to result in the
best economic solutions for the
client but details are irrelevant
or cursory (70%)
Submission has major errors
related to citations, grammar,
spelling, syntax, or organization
that negatively impact
readability and articulation of
main ideas (70%)
Not Evident
Does not illustrate how creative
problem solving and versatility
of thought impacts professional
advice intended to result in the
best economic solution for the
client (0%)
Value
6.4
Submission has critical errors
related to citations, grammar,
spelling, syntax, or organization
that prevent understanding of
ideas (0%)
4
Total
100%
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