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.

Federal Taxation I: Individuals, Employees, and Sole Proprietors
Seize the savings! Get 40% off 3 months of Coursera Plus and full access to thousands of courses.

Federal Taxation I: Individuals, Employees, and Sole Proprietors
This course is part of U.S. Federal Taxation Specialization

Instructor: Matthew Hutchens
48,722 already enrolled
Included with
714 reviews
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
Details to know

Add to your LinkedIn profile
55 assignments
See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Build your subject-matter expertise
- Learn new concepts from industry experts
- Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
- Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
- Earn a shareable career certificate

There are 8 modules in this course
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.
What's included
11 videos10 readings9 assignments1 discussion prompt1 plugin
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
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
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
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
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
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
In this module, you will review the Comprehensive Example video and apply those concepts to a tax return problem.
What's included
2 videos6 readings5 assignments1 discussion prompt1 plugin
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 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
Instructor

Offered by
Explore more from Business Essentials
Status: Free TrialUniversity of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Status: Free TrialUniversity of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Status: Free TrialUniversity of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Status: Free TrialUniversity of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Why people choose Coursera for their career

Felipe M.

Jennifer J.

Larry W.

Chaitanya A.
Learner reviews
- 5 stars
89.77%
- 4 stars
7.84%
- 3 stars
0.56%
- 2 stars
0.14%
- 1 star
1.68%
Showing 3 of 714
Reviewed on Nov 18, 2020
Great content and really learned a lot. Would have liked some more examples or formulas to use and print out to keep handy, especially in doing some of the AGI floors. but otherwise, great!
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.
Reviewed on Jul 31, 2020
I am very happy and exited that i complete the course of Federal Taxation I: Individuals, Employees, and Sole Proprietors , I want to complete rest of the course of US FEDERAL TAXATION.

Open new doors with Coursera Plus
Unlimited access to 10,000+ world-class courses, hands-on projects, and job-ready certificate programs - all included in your subscription
Advance your career with an online degree
Earn a degree from world-class universities - 100% online
Join over 3,400 global companies that choose Coursera for Business
Upskill your employees to excel in the digital economy
Frequently asked questions
Once you enroll for a Certificate, you’ll have access to all videos, quizzes, and programming assignments (if applicable). If you choose to explore the course without purchasing, you may not be able to access certain assignments.
You will be eligible for a full refund until 2 weeks after your payment date. You cannot receive a refund once you’ve earned a Course Certificate, even if you complete the course within the 2-week refund period. View our full refund policy.
Yes! Coursera provides financial aid to learners who would like to complete a course but cannot afford the course fee. To apply for aid, select "Learn more and apply" in the Financial Aid section below the "Enroll" button. You'll be prompted to complete a simple application; no other paperwork is required.
More questions
Financial aid available,

