[jmd494]

For example, the section 179 deduction doubled from $250K to 500K in 2011.

Becker says “This information is testable on the CPA exam starting on July 1, 2011.”

So if I get a question stating asking about the 179 deduction and it doesn’t state a year, should I assume $250K or $500K.

And btw…I realize them asking about specific thresholds is unlikely but this is just an example. I’d really like to know how to handle this situation in general.

[syyuchen]

From the AICPA website..

the questions on the July-August 2011 and October-November 2011 CPA examinations should cover the law in effect for 2011. However, when it comes to taxes, the examiners repeatedly have tested the last full calendar year.

The editors expect the July-August 2011 and the October-November 2011 CPA examination to cover the tax law in effect for 2010, not 2011, in those few questions where the year makes a difference. The editors expect the questions on the January-February 2012 and April-May 2012 CPA examinations to cover the tax law in effect for 2011

[jmd494]

Perfect! That makes me feel a lot better.

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

@ Syyuchen can you please provide a source? I contacted Becker about this issue and I have read through the AICPA website and the final conclusive answer was that 2011 tax effects are in place for July's exam because these tax laws have been in effect for over 6 months.

[Erica H]

I found this to be a non-issue when I took REG, as all the questions either specified the year or else only one answer was potentially correct regardless…. ie. there were no questions where the amount would have been different depending on the year and both answers were present.

Invariably, it seemed to me they were trying to test “do you know how this is calculated” as opposed to “do you know this was the limit in this particular year.”

AUD - 92
FAR - 73, 82
REG - 72, 82
BEC - 84 DONE!!!!!! 🙂

[Author]

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