Paper details: Major Research CaseThis assignment involves several steps. You must first obtain the facts of your case from your client (the instructor). identify the tax issues and, using the authoritative tax sources (Internal Revenue Code, regulations, rulings, cases, etc.), analyze the problem and arrive at a conclusion. The result is a paper that must be a minimum of six pages in length (double-spaced, no larger than 12-point type). If your paper is less than six pages long (3 pages if single-spaced), then your research and discussion are probably insufficient. You may not have discovered all of the issues. Do not pad your paper with long quotes, etc.
When you are ready to begin your case (after you have submitted the other assignments), contact the instructor by IUPUI email. (You should put this on your calendar now.) At this point, you will enter into a world of make-believe.
The instructor will play the role of client—a very dumb client who knows NOTHING about tax—and you will play the role of tax practitioner. The client will tell you his tax problem, and your job is to do the research and communicate a defensible solution. Understand that the client will NOT give you all of the facts you need to answer the question in the first e-mail. Remember, he is like most individuals who know nothing about taxes. He is just telling you what he thinks you need to know.
You will have to determine what information you need to gather and what additional questions you need to ask. You do this via e-mail. Note also that your client will not necessarily respond to you immediately or the next day (although he will try). Your client does not necessarily answer e-mail on weekends or holidays. Consequently, you need to plan accordingly.
As an example, the instructor may pretend to be Ms. Ima Hurtin, who has just received $1 million damage award following an automobile accident. This may be the only fact that she initially provides. When your question and answer approach is completed (through several e-mails over the course of time), you will compile your research and write the paper.
Research papers will be evaluated using the following criteria:
• Thoroughness of research
• Presentation of facts
• Issue identification
• Statement of applicable law
• Soundness of analysis
• Conclusion and recommendation
• Format, structure, coherence (tie the facts to the authority presented)
• Proper citations
• Professional communication with the client