How often is each course in the Specialization offered?

Each course in the Specialization offers regular and open enrollment. You can begin and complete the course on your own schedule.

Can I take the course for free?

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. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free. If you cannot afford the fee, you can apply for financial aid.

Is this course really 100% online? Do I need to attend any classes in person?

This course is completely online, so there’s no need to show up to a classroom in person. You can access your lectures, readings and assignments anytime and anywhere via the web or your mobile device.

Where can I learn more and ask questions about earning credit or a degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign?

Please find more information at https://giesbusiness.illinois.edu/graduate-hub/online or email your questions to giesonline@illinois.edu

Can I just enroll in a single course?

Yes! To get started, click the course card that interests you and enroll. You can enroll and complete the course to earn a shareable certificate. When you subscribe to a course that is part of a Specialization, you’re automatically subscribed to the full Specialization. Visit your learner dashboard to track your progress.

Is financial aid available?

Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

U.S. Federal Taxation Specialization

U.S. Federal Taxation Specialization

U.S. Federal Taxation of Individuals & Businesses. Learners will develop knowledge in U.S. federal taxation as applied to individuals and businesses.

Instructors: Michael P Donohoe, PhD, CPA +1 more

28,480 already enrolled

Included with

4 course series

Get in-depth knowledge of a subject

4.8

(768 reviews)

Intermediate level

Some related experience required

3 months to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

4 course series

Get in-depth knowledge of a subject

4.8

(768 reviews)

Intermediate level

Some related experience required

3 months to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

This Specialization introduces the U.S. federal tax system via conceptual and applied material. Learners will be able to apply basic principles to settings involving individuals, corporations, and other business entities, complete key components of major, individual U.S. federal tax returns, and identify tax-related strategies and implications of structuring transactions and organizations.

Applied Learning Project

Courses within this specialization involve multiple projects within each course, including preparing tax returns and real-world applications of tax principles. In addition, the Capstone for this specialization is comprised of a comprehensive project reflecting key principles of all four foundational courses.

Skills you'll gain

Category: Payroll
Category: Tax Returns
Category: Payroll Tax
Category: Tax Planning
Category: Partnership Accounting
Category: Depreciation
Category: Capital Expenditure
Category: Tax
Category: Corporate Accounting
Category: Property Accounting
Category: Tax Laws
Category: Mergers & Acquisitions
Category: Real Estate Transactions
Category: Income Tax
Category: Tax Compliance
Category: Corporate Tax
Category: Fixed Asset
Category: Tax Preparation
Category: Liquidation
Category: Tax Management

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Taught in English

Advance your subject-matter expertise

Learn in-demand skills from university and industry experts
Master a subject or tool with hands-on projects
Develop a deep understanding of key concepts
Earn a career certificate from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Specialization - 4 course series

Applied Learning Project

Federal Taxation I: Individuals, Employees, and Sole Proprietors

Course 131 hours

What you'll learn

Identify relevant sources of tax law.
Compute an individual’s federal taxable income and tax liability.
Identify differences in tax-preferred retirement vehicles.
Complete a basic US federal tax return.

Skills you'll gain

Category: Income Tax

Category: Tax Returns

Category: Tax Laws

Category: Tax Preparation

Category: Revenue Recognition

Category: Compensation and Benefits

Category: Expense Management

Category: Payroll Tax

Category: Payroll

Category: Tax

Federal Taxation II: Property Transactions of Business Owners and Shareholders

Course 231 hours

What you'll learn

Identify classifications, conventions, and limitations used in the cost recovery of assets.
Calculate the depreciation of tangible assets, amortization of intangible assets, and depletion of natural resources.
Distinguish between realized gains and losses versus recognized gains and losses.
Compute the netting of gains and losses for ordinary items, Section 1231 assets, and short-term or long-term capital transactions.

Skills you'll gain

Category: Tax Laws

Category: Depreciation

Category: Corporate Tax

Category: Property Accounting

Category: Income Tax

Category: Tax Planning

Category: Tax Compliance

Category: Asset Management

Category: Real Estate Transactions

Category: Expense Management

Category: Fixed Asset

Category: Capital Expenditure

Taxation of Business Entities I: Corporations

Course 324 hours

What you'll learn

Evaluate the tax treatment of different organizational forms.
Compare and contrast the taxation of individuals and corporations.
Calculate the corporate income tax.
Determine the tax effects of incorporation, corporate distributions to shareholders, complete corporate liquidations, and corporate reorganizations.

Skills you'll gain

Category: Corporate Tax

Category: Income Tax

Category: Mergers & Acquisitions

Category: Liquidation

Category: Tax Laws

Category: Depreciation

Category: Tax

Category: Corporate Accounting

Category: Business Analysis

Category: Organizational Structure

Category: Tax Management

Category: Tax Compliance

Category: Tax Planning

Category: Capital Expenditure

Taxation of Business Entities II: Pass-Through Entities

Course 433 hours

What you'll learn

Determine the tax effects of forming a partnership, partnership distributions, and partnership terminations.
Distinguish between the types of entities treated as partnerships for tax purposes.
Apply partnership tax provisions to limited liability companies and limited liability partnerships.
Identify corporations that qualify for the Subchapter S election.

Skills you'll gain

Category: Partnership Accounting

Category: Tax Laws

Category: Income Tax

Category: Tax Planning

Category: Tax Compliance

Category: Organizational Structure

Category: Corporate Tax

Category: Ethical Standards And Conduct

Category: Business Analysis

Category: Strategic Decision-Making

Earn a career certificate

Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.

Build toward a degree

This Specialization 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

Instructors

Michael P Donohoe, PhD, CPA

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

2 Courses20,141 learners

Offered by

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Why people choose Coursera for their career

Felipe M.

Learner since 2018

"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."

Jennifer J.

Learner since 2020

"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."

Larry W.

Learner since 2021

"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."

Chaitanya A.

"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."

Frequently asked questions

Time to completion can vary widely based on your schedule, most learners are able to complete the Specialization in 5-7 months.

Basic knowledge of business environments (either via other courses or work experience) and basic mathematics skills. It is also beneficial if you have some experience with common spreadsheet software applications.

It is recommended that the courses in the Specialization be taken in the order outlined.In the Capstone Project, you will have the opportunity to synthesize your learning in all courses and apply your combined skills in a final project

You will be able to apply basic and intermediate principles of U.S. federal taxation to a variety of individual and business settings.
You will be able to prepare key components of the U.S. federal tax return for individuals and small business owners (Form 1040) and business use property (Form 4562).
You will be able to compare and identify basic tax strategies related to organizational structure, including various types of corporations, partnerships, and other entities.

Courses on Coursera do not carry University of Illinois credit on their own. Each iDegree course has an enhanced for-credit component. You can earn academic credit if you combine an open online course with the enhanced for-credit component offered on the University of Illinois platform. To learn more visit https://giesbusiness.illinois.edu/graduate-hub/online. Some universities may choose to accept Specialization Certificates for credit. Check with your institution to learn more.

U.S. Federal Taxation Specialization

What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Advance your subject-matter expertise

Specialization - 4 course series

Federal Taxation I: Individuals, Employees, and Sole Proprietors

What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

Federal Taxation II: Property Transactions of Business Owners and Shareholders

What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

Taxation of Business Entities I: Corporations

What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

Taxation of Business Entities II: Pass-Through Entities

What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

Earn a career certificate

Build toward a degree

Taxation Graduate Certificate

Master of Science in Accountancy (iMSA)

Instructors

Offered by

Why people choose Coursera for their career

Frequently asked questions

Coursera

Community

More

Mobile App

U.S. Federal Taxation Specialization

What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Advance your subject-matter expertise

Specialization - 4 course series

Federal Taxation I: Individuals, Employees, and Sole Proprietors

What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

Federal Taxation II: Property Transactions of Business Owners and Shareholders

What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

Taxation of Business Entities I: Corporations

What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

Taxation of Business Entities II: Pass-Through Entities

What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

Earn a career certificate

Build toward a degree

Instructors

Offered by

Why people choose Coursera for their career

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to complete the Specialization?

What background knowledge is necessary?

Do I need to take the courses in a specific order?