Taxation is the imposition of levies on individuals as well as businesses and corporations by governments. The revenues raised by taxes are used to fund public services, law enforcement and national defense, social welfare and healthcare, and other important government expenditures. In addition to being important for society, taxation is extremely important for businesses to understand, as various sales and corporate income taxes can have a significant impact on the bottom line of any company.

Because paying taxes has a major impact on both government and business revenues, submitting accurate federal tax returns are a legal requirement as well as a requirement for the financial statements that public companies must disclose to investors. Thus, businesses typically hire accountants with expertise in tax law, accounting terminology, and the application of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) to all the details of a company’s tax returns, including tax deductions, depreciation of assets, and business expenses.‎

Almost all companies, from sole proprietors to multinational corporations, rely on accountants to ensure that their taxes are paid properly and on time. These experts on taxation are responsible for examining financial statements, calculating taxes owed, and preparing and submitting state and federal tax returns that are accurate. Large companies may have full-time, in-house accountants to manage their financial statements and taxation, but many companies hire certified public accountants (CPA) who work at accounting firms.

Regardless of who you work for, if you are fluent in accounting terminology, the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), and other key areas of accounting expertise, you will have an in-demand and well-paid career. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, accountants earned a median annual salary of $71,550 in May 2019, and these jobs will grow as fast as the average across the rest of the economy since they are generally tied to growth in the businesses that rely on them.‎

Yes! Coursera offers a wide range of courses on a variety of business topics, including in-depth courses and Specializations spanning multiple courses about taxation. You can learn remotely about corporate tax law, financial reporting, taxes for sole proprietors and individuals, taxation impacts on strategic business management, and other important subjects in this field. And, because you can learn from leading business schools for accounting including the Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign as well as the Wharton School of University of Pennsylvania, you don’t have to sacrifice the quality of your education to learn online with Coursera.‎