Anyone who has ever wondered if the kegs they bought for their employee Christmas party were tax deductible, or wondered if their dancing pet chinchilla is considered a tax write-off, can find the answers to these and similar questions by taking the tax class for the average citizen next semester.

Allan Karnes, the director of the school of accountancy, said a three credit hour tax class will be offered next semester. He said there are no prerequisites needed for the class.

Raymond Wacker, associate professor for the school of accountancy, said the course is titled tax accounting for non-accounting majors. Wacker has previously taught the class and said it teaches tax law with out going into the technical side of the topic.

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Karnes said the class is for non-tax professionals.

We don’t teach it from a technical basis, Karnes said. We teach it on a basis that a layman could understand.

Wacker said the class answers tax questions that affect the common American.

How to do your very own tax return is the big topic, Wacker said.

He said the class also explains what should and should not go on a tax return.

Karnes said the idea behind the class is to provide a service for the University and the Southern Illinois community.

We think it is important that non-tax professionals know how taxes effect them, Karnes said.

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He said the class is not only an attractive option for students but also for school employees and faculty.

Karnes said class enrollment of previous semesters has not been large, but he said the class will continue to be offered as long as people sign up for it.

I think people just do not know about it yet, Karnes said.