The core of Federal Income Taxation of Trusts and Estates consists of the provisions of "Subchapter J," the relevant portion of the Internal Revenue Code (sections 641 through 692), and its first priority is to give readers an understanding of those provisions and how they work. Federal Income Taxation of Trusts and Estates takes four distinct, but integrated, approaches. At the beginning of each section, Ascher presents assignments of carefully selected provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and Treasury Regulations. Following are one or more precedents (cases or rulings) dealing with the topic at hand accompanied by textual material that amplifies the topic by further analysis of the primary precedent(s), presentation of other precedents, or discussion of subsequent developments. Finally, numerous problems, where appropriate, allow the reader to apply the material to actual fact patterns.

The text is supplemented annually, and a teacher's manual is available.

"I would strongly recommend Federal Income Taxation of Trusts and Estates to anyone considering teaching a course on the subject....Ascher has done an excellent job covering all aspects of Subchapter J from its basic principles to the complex areas of charitable lead and remainder trusts....The problems are practically oriented and well-written, while the illustrative materials are concise and interesting."
- Bowker's Legal Publishing Review, review of the first edition