Master of Science in Taxation

Department Website: Master of Science in Taxation

The Gonzaga Master of Science in Taxation (MTAX) program is designed to equip students with a strong technical skill set, enhanced communication skills, and a framework with which to approach the complex problems and issues faced by taxpayers in today’s global economy. Significant emphasis is placed on issue identification, problem solving, and tax planning.

Current Gonzaga undergraduate students may apply for the Accelerated MTAX program once they have received a grade for ACCT 365 Federal Taxation I. If accepted, they may take up to nine credits of graduate-level courses during their senior year with the permission of the program director. To be considered for admission for the Accelerated MTAX, students should have maintained a minimum GPA of 3.0 in upper division accounting courses and a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.20.

Admissions

Students applying to Gonzaga University must submit Gonzaga’s Graduate Application, which can be accessed online at https://www.gonzaga.edu/gradapply
Along with the application for graduate study, each program at Gonzaga has distinct admission requirements. Please refer to the table below to view that detailed information.

How to Apply
Program Name	How to Apply Link
Master of Science in Taxation	https://www.gonzaga.edu/school-of-business-administration/graduate/mstax/how-to-apply

MTAX Prerequisite Requirements

MTAX students are required to complete the following prerequisite coursework:

Principles of Taxation

For candidates wishing to pursue the CPA, additional prerequisite coursework will be required in financial accounting, cost accounting, and audit. Prerequisites may be taken after admission into the program and may be waived at the discretion of the Director.

Admitted students must consult with their graduate academic advisor before registering for their first semester in order to evaluate their prerequisites and to develop a plan for completing any that are needed.

Prerequisite course credits are not counted toward the graduate degree program credits. They must be taken in addition to the 30 credits required for the MTAX degree.

CLEP Exam Grading Policy

A 50 scaled score is required to pass (75%)

MTAX Prerequisite Grading Policy:

The MACC 500 prerequisite courses are Satisfactory/Non-Satisfactory. The grading policy will remain the same with traditional letter grades. If a student earns a "C-" or lower in a MACC 500 level course, it will be treated as a Non-Satisfactory (NS) and no credit will be given. The “NS” grade has the same effect on the GPA as an “F” (failing).

Master of Science in Taxation

Program Requirements

A total of thirty (30) credits of graduate coursework is required for the Master of Science in Taxation degree. Students must maintain a 3.00 or better grade point average in order to progress through and to graduate from the program.

Course List
Code	Title	Hours
MACC 600	Orientation	0
MACC 664	Professional Ethics	2
MACC 677	Sustainability Accounting I	2
MSBA 602	Introduction to Business Analytics	3
MTAX 603	Financial Acct for IncomeTaxes	3
MTAX 604	Taxation of Corporations	3
MTAX 605	Partnership Taxation	3
MTAX 606	Wealth Transfer Taxation	3
MTAX 607	Taxation of Property Trans	3
MTAX 608	State and Local Taxation	2
MTAX 610	International Taxation	2
MTAX 667	Tax Research	2
Electives ¹		2
Total Hours		30

¹: Students may continue to take any MACC, MTAX, MSBA, or MBA course as an elective. Other courses must be approved by the program director.

Courses

MTAX 602. Tax Policy. (1-3 Credits)

This course provides an overview of the challenges faced in designing, administering, and monitoring a modern tax system, including the use of incidence of taxation to encourage or discourage certain activities.

MTAX 603. Financial Acct for IncomeTaxes. (3 Credits)

Audit professionals are frequently called upon to review the income tax accrual contained in audit work papers. This course focuses on the basic and some of the more common complexities encountered in accounting for income taxes under ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes. This course is designed for students in the MTAX program.

Equivalent: MACC 603

MTAX 604. Taxation of Corporations. (3 Credits)

This course explores the federal taxation of subchapters C and S corporations and their shareholders.

Prerequisites: Prerequisites exist. Refer to Zagweb.

MTAX 605. Partnership Taxation. (3 Credits)

This course deals with the federal Income tax fundamentals of partnership and limited liability company taxation. The course covers formation of, operation of, and distribution from partnership and LLC’s, and provides contrast to the problems associated with corporate operations.

Prerequisites: Prerequisites exist. Refer to Zagweb.

MTAX 606. Wealth Transfer Taxation. (3 Credits)

This course explores the taxation of gratuitous transfers of wealth during life and at death, including the federal estate, gift and generation skipping transfer taxes.

Prerequisites: Prerequisites exist. Refer to Zagweb.

MTAX 607. Taxation of Property Trans. (3 Credits)

This course will survey several important areas related to the federal income taxation of property transactions. Emphasis will be on federal income tax treatment of sales and other dispositions of property, including deferred payment sales and non-recognition transactions. Potential specific topics include depreciation, the effect of debt on basis and amount realized calculations, characterization, limitations on loss allowances, like kind exchanges, involuntary conversions, installment sales and leasing.

Prerequisites: Prerequisites exist. Refer to Zagweb.

MTAX 608. State and Local Taxation. (2 Credits)

This course focuses on the basics of state income taxes, property taxes, and other state and local taxes. In addition, the effect of state and local taxes on multi-state operations is discussed.

Prerequisites: Prerequisites exist. Refer to Zagweb.

MTAX 609. Tax-Exempt Organizations. (1-3 Credits)

This course explores the requirements of various tax-exempt organizations under the Internal Revenue Code and related compliance obligations with a particular focus on advising tax-exempt clients.

MTAX 610. International Taxation. (2 Credits)

This course covers the basics of the taxation of foreign income of U.S. citizens and corporations, and of U.S. source income of foreign persons and corporations. In addition, there is discussion of planning for organization of foreign operations under the tax laws.

Prerequisites: Prerequisites exist. Refer to Zagweb.

MTAX 612. Tax Theory. (1-3 Credits)

This course examines theory of various tax systems how they affect taxpayers.

Prerequisites: Prerequisites exist. Refer to Zagweb.

MTAX 613. Internal Revenue Service Practice and Procedure. (2 Credits)

This course studies a wide range of tax procedure and IRS practice, including an analysis of the laws pertaining to tax procedure an how the IRS interprets and applies those laws. The course will include descriptions of how the IRS operates. Suggested techniques for representing clients before the IRS are also presented.

Prerequisites: Prerequisites exist. Refer to Zagweb.

MTAX 615. Seminal Cases in Taxation. (1-3 Credits)

Through a deep investigation of landmark cases in taxation, this course looks at the impact the judiciary has had in shaping tax law today.

MTAX 616. Income Tax of Estates & Trusts. (1-3 Credits)

This course explores the federal income taxation of estates and trusts, including the fundamentals of fiduciary accounting.

MTAX 620. Tax Planning. (3 Credits)

This course examines the tax and business planning aspects of taxable and nontaxable transfers of businesses and real estate. Particular attention will be given to planning whether to use asset sales or stock sales, structuring financing for acquisitions and techniques for compensating investors. The course will also explore the taxation of partnerships, S corporations and limited liability companies and their special application to corporate and real estate acquisitions.

Prerequisites: Prerequisites exist. Refer to Zagweb.

MTAX 630. Volunteer Income Tax Assistanc. (0-3 Credits)

May be repeated for credit.

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) initiative to serve low-to moderate-income individuals, persons with disabilities, the elderly, and limited English speakers with filing their annual income tax returns. In this service learning course, students must pass the IRS certification and serve at a local VITA site.

Prerequisites: MACC 565 with a minimum grade of C or ACCT 365 with a minimum grade of D

MTAX 667. Tax Research. (2 Credits)

This course encompasses a study of tax research methodology, tax policy, and tax practice. Topic areas include various tax research techniques, tax administration and professional responsibilities, as well as international taxation.

Prerequisites: Prerequisites exist. Refer to Zagweb.

MTAX 685. Federal Tax Clinic. (2 Credits)

The Federal Tax Clinic course offers students an exciting opportunity to become engaged in federal tax controversies involving the Internal Revenue Service and in the United States Tax Court. Students represent low-income clients in IRS examination and collection matters, including audits, offers in compromise, penalty abatements, innocent spouse claims, appeals, Tax Court cases, etc. Through case work and clinic experience, the students will have the opportunity to develop and refine skills in client interviewing, negotiations, research and advocacy.

MTAX 690. Directed Study. (1-3 Credits)

May be repeated for credit.

Directed Study requires permission of program director. Zagweb registration is not available.

MTAX 697. Internship. (0-3 Credits)

May be repeated for credit.

Relevant work experience is required that is commensurate with a student's professional interests. Guidelines and criteria are available from the School of Business Administration Internship Director.

MTAX 699. Special Topics. (0-3 Credits)

May be repeated for credit.

Topic to be determined by department.