Sweetness and Spice: Tax Issues for Foodies

• In Event: Teaching, Learning, and Curriculum II

Abstract

Two small businesses, a food blog organized as a partnership and a catering business organized as an LLC, give students the opportunity to examine tax issues involving individuals, a partnership, and a single owner LLC. The case illustrates how advances in technology and social media occur without the issuance of directly applicable tax guidance, thus introducing students to uncertainty in interpreting the tax law and providing professional advice. The goals of the case are to increase students’ (1) abilities to identify tax issues for individuals and small home-based businesses, (2) tax research proficiency, (3) written communication skills, (4) technical knowledge, and (5) experience in tax planning. The case helps students develop four of the core competencies expressed in the AICPA’s CPA Vision Project (2012) including improving students’ abilities to interpret converging information, think strategically and critically, communicate effectively, and adeptly use technology. Student responses indicate that the case helped develop their issue identification, tax research and writing skills.

Authors

• Susan E. Anderson, Appalachian State University

• H. Lynn Stallworth, Appalachian State University