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There are 8 modules in this course
This redesigned course is the first course in a four-course U.S. Federal Tax Specialization and reflects legislation from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act passed in 2025. It covers and focuses on the U.S. federal tax system as it relates to individuals, employees, and sole proprietors. Key concepts covered include gross income and items that are statutorily included or excluded in it, personal and business expenses that qualify as tax deductions, and the differing tax treatments for employees versus self-employed taxpayers. Unlike many other introductory courses in tax and as part of this course’s comprehensive wrap-up, learners will be provided with practical and tangible experience reporting both income and expenses on the main individual tax return used in the US Form 1040.
This module introduces the course and U.S. taxes, including the federal income tax structure from income to tax liability. It also reviews the constitutional basis, historical development, and primary sources of U.S. tax law.
Online Education at Gies College of Business•10 minutes
Updating Your Profile•10 minutes
Module 1 Overview•4 minutes
Wealth of Nations and AICPA's Guiding Principles of Good Tax Policy (Optional)•15 minutes
How Do Marginal Tax Rates Work (Optional)•10 minutes
Who Pays Federal Taxes? (Optional)•10 minutes
1862 and 1913 Tax Forms (optional)•5 minutes
9 assignments•Total 130 minutes
An Introduction to Taxation Quiz•30 minutes
Orientation Quiz•30 minutes
Lesson 1.1 Knowledge Check•10 minutes
Lesson 1.2 Knowledge Check•10 minutes
Lesson 1.3 Knowledge Check•10 minutes
Lesson 1.4 Knowledge Check•10 minutes
Lesson 1.5 Knowledge Check•10 minutes
Lesson 1.6 Knowledge Check•10 minutes
Lesson 1.7 Knowledge Check•10 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
Getting to Know Your Classmates•10 minutes
1 plugin•Total 15 minutes
Welcome! Please Tell Us About Yourself•15 minutes
Module 2: Computing the Tax
4 hours to complete
Module details
This module focuses on gross income and Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) within the U.S. federal income tax system. It explains how deductions affect AGI and concludes with dependency rules, tax calculation, and filing requirements.
What's included
8 videos5 readings8 assignments
Show info about module content
8 videos•Total 78 minutes
The Income Tax Formula•13 minutes
Understanding Form 1040•8 minutes
Dependents: Qualifying Children and Qualifying Relatives—Part 1•9 minutes
Dependents: Qualifying Children and Qualifying Relatives—Part 2•9 minutes
Calculating the Tax•11 minutes
Filing Status•8 minutes
Filing Requirements and Other Dependent Issues•9 minutes
Statutes of Limitations•9 minutes
5 readings•Total 54 minutes
Module 2 Overview•4 minutes
Standard Deduction Amounts for 2025•5 minutes
Qualifying Child and Qualifying Relative Tests•10 minutes
Tax Rate Schedules for 2025•5 minutes
Overview of the Federal Tax System in 2024 •30 minutes
8 assignments•Total 100 minutes
Computing the Tax Quiz•30 minutes
Lesson 2.1 Knowledge Check•10 minutes
Lesson 2.2 Knowledge Check•10 minutes
Lesson 2.3 Knowledge Check•10 minutes
Lesson 2.4 Knowledge Check•10 minutes
Lesson 2.5 Knowledge Check•10 minutes
Lesson 2.6 Knowledge Check•10 minutes
Lesson 2.7 Knowledge Check•10 minutes
Module 3: Gross Income
3 hours to complete
Module details
This module examines gross income with a focus on statutory inclusions. It explains how specific rules determine whether certain receipts, such as unemployment compensation or Social Security benefits, are included in income and when they must be reported.
What's included
8 videos1 reading6 assignments
Show info about module content
8 videos•Total 66 minutes
Gross Income: Concepts•10 minutes
Tax Benefit Rule and Claim of Right Doctrine•4 minutes
Accounting Methods: Cash•8 minutes
Accounting Methods: Accrual•10 minutes
Gross Income I: Alimony, Discharge of Indebtedness, Annuities•18 minutes
Annuity Calculation Example•5 minutes
Prizes, Life Insurance, Unemployment Compensation, Social Security•7 minutes
Gambling Income•4 minutes
1 reading•Total 4 minutes
Module 3 Overview•4 minutes
6 assignments•Total 80 minutes
Gross Income Quiz•30 minutes
Lesson 3.1 Knowledge Check•10 minutes
Lesson 3.2 Knowledge Check•10 minutes
Lesson 3.3 Knowledge Check•10 minutes
Lesson 3.4 Knowledge Check•10 minutes
Lesson 3.5 Knowledge Check•10 minutes
Module 4: Exclusions
2 hours to complete
Module details
This module focuses on statutory exclusions from gross income under IRC §61. It explains key reasons for exclusions, including non-profit transfers, economic restoration, and social policy goals.
What's included
5 videos2 readings6 assignments
Show info about module content
5 videos•Total 51 minutes
Municipal Bond Interest, Gifts & Inheritances, Life Insurance Proceeds•12 minutes
Scholarships, Payments for Damages, Compensation for Injuries and Sickness•10 minutes
Meals and Lodging, Recovery of Capital Issues•10 minutes
This module introduces tax deductions and explains how for-AGI deductions reduce income to calculate Adjusted Gross Income (AGI). It covers income-related and selected personal for-AGI deductions, such as business expenses and retirement contributions, and concludes with the tax treatment of hobbies.
What's included
6 videos1 reading7 assignments
Show info about module content
6 videos•Total 61 minutes
Deductions: For vs. From AGI•9 minutes
Trade or Business Deductions: Concepts•10 minutes
Timing of Deductions•13 minutes
Employee vs. Self-Employed•9 minutes
Hobby Losses•12 minutes
Rental Income and Deductions•9 minutes
1 reading•Total 4 minutes
Module 5 Overview•4 minutes
7 assignments•Total 90 minutes
Deductions and Losses: In General Quiz•30 minutes
Lesson 5.1 Knowledge Check•10 minutes
Lesson 5.2 Knowledge Check•10 minutes
Lesson 5.3 Knowledge Check•10 minutes
Lesson 5.4 Knowledge Check•10 minutes
Lesson 5.5 Knowledge Check•10 minutes
Lesson 5.6 Knowledge Check•10 minutes
Module 6: Business Deductions
3 hours to complete
Module details
This module examines fact-specific rules governing expense deductibility, including differences between employees and self-employed taxpayers. It also highlights key limits and business deductions, such as nondeductible expenses, net operating losses, and the qualified business income deduction.
What's included
10 videos2 readings8 assignments
Show info about module content
10 videos•Total 73 minutes
Transportation Expenses•7 minutes
Travel Expenses•7 minutes
Bad Debts•6 minutes
Timing of Deductions: Political Contributions, Lobbying, and Executive Compensation•8 minutes
Meals, Entertainment, and Home Office Expenses•9 minutes
Education Expenses•6 minutes
Net Operating Losses (NOLs)•7 minutes
Casualty Losses•5 minutes
Qualified Business Income Deduction•13 minutes
QBI Examples•6 minutes
2 readings•Total 14 minutes
Module 6 Overview•4 minutes
The Section 199A Deduction for Passthroughs•10 minutes
8 assignments•Total 100 minutes
Business Deductions Quiz•30 minutes
Lesson 6.1 Knowledge Check•10 minutes
Lesson 6.2 Knowledge Check•10 minutes
Lesson 6.3 Knowledge Check•10 minutes
Lesson 6.4 Knowledge Check•10 minutes
Lesson 6.5 Knowledge Check•10 minutes
Lesson 6.6 Knowledge Check•10 minutes
Lesson 6.7 Knowledge Check•10 minutes
Module 7: Itemized Deductions and Retirement Plans
3 hours to complete
Module details
This module covers from-AGI deductions, including itemized deductions and other personal deductions subject to AGI limits. It concludes with income deferral and exclusion concepts, especially those related to retirement savings and earnings.
What's included
5 videos1 reading6 assignments
Show info about module content
5 videos•Total 59 minutes
Itemized Deductions: Overview and Medical Expenses•10 minutes
Itemized Deductions: Taxes and Interest•15 minutes
Charitable Contributions•13 minutes
Temporary From AGI Deductions•8 minutes
Retirement Plans: In General •13 minutes
1 reading•Total 4 minutes
Module 7 Overview•4 minutes
6 assignments•Total 100 minutes
Itemized Deductions and Retirement Plans Quiz•30 minutes
Lesson 7.1 Knowledge Check•10 minutes
Lesson 7.2 Knowledge Check•10 minutes
Lesson 7.3 Knowledge Check•10 minutes
Knowledge Check 7.4•30 minutes
Lesson 7.5 Knowledge Check•10 minutes
Module 8: Comprehensive Example
3 hours to complete
Module details
In this module, you will review the Comprehensive Example video and apply those concepts to a tax return problem.
Unlock Comprehensive Example Solution Quiz•5 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
Final Reflection: I used to think ... Now I think•10 minutes
1 plugin•Total 15 minutes
How Was the Course?•15 minutes
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This course is part of the following degree program(s) offered by University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. If you are admitted and enroll, your completed coursework may count toward your degree learning and your progress can transfer with you.¹
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Build toward a degree
This course is part of the following degree program(s) offered by University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. If you are admitted and enroll, your completed coursework may count toward your degree learning and your progress can transfer with you.¹
¹Successful application and enrollment are required. Eligibility requirements apply. Each institution determines the number of credits recognized by completing this content that may count towards degree requirements, considering any existing credits you may have. Click on a specific course for more information.
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K
KR
4·
Reviewed on Jan 2, 2020
Thank you so much for the information and session on US Tax Fed Tax . Its a great learning platform for everyone who opt the course through Coursera! Thanks again.
M
MK
4·
Reviewed on Jan 17, 2020
Great overview of 1040 preparation. My primary purpose for taking the course was learning the details of, and computing the AMT. I am disappointed this was not covered.
S
SF
5·
Reviewed on Feb 12, 2022
I found the information, while somewhat dated, to be an excellent course for someone who is already licensed as a CPA that needed a low-cost refresher prior to the start of tax season.
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What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.