Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

As many business decisions involve a consideration of the taxation implications, accountancy graduates should possess knowledge of the Australian taxation system so that they can develop skills required for professional practice. The purpose of this unit is to enhance student's understanding of taxation concepts by extending the basic fundamental principles learned in AYB219 (AYB325) Taxation Law and exploring advanced taxation concepts in more depth.

Aims

This unit aims to develop students' knowledge and understanding of the Australian income tax legislation that have been learned in the previous taxation law units studied. In attaining this aim, students will develop research and analysis skills.

Objectives

Course Learning Goals (Undergraduate)

The QUT Business School has established the Assurance of Learning (AOL) Goals to meet contemporary industry needs and standards. Achieving these learning outcomes will assist you to meet the desired graduate outcomes set at QUT - aligned with other internationally renowned business schools. Students will develop the following capabilities relevant to a contemporary global and sustainable business environment:

Have knowledge and skills pertinent to a particular discipline (KS)

1.1 Integrate and apply disciplinary theory and skills to practical situations
1.2 Incorporate the use of technology appropriate to the discipline and context

Be critical thinkers and effective problem solvers (CTA)

2.1 Identify, research and critically analyse information relevant to a business problem or issue, be able to synthesise that information in order to evaluate potential solutions, make recommendations or otherwise effectively address the problem or issue

Be professional communicators in an intercultural context (PC)

3.1 Communicate effectively through written tasks appropriate to varied contexts and audiences
3.2 Communicate effectively through professional oral presentations appropriate to varied contexts and audiences

Be able to work effectively in a Team Environment (TW)

4.1 Demonstrate effective team skills in order to contribute appropriately to the production of a group output

Have a Social and Ethical Understanding (SEU)

5.1 Apply ethical reasoning, standards or codes of practice relevant to the discipline and make decisions that are informed by social and cultural understanding

Upon completion of this unit, you should be able to:

1. Describe the relevant sections, cases and principles of Australian income tax and GST law relevant to a range of advanced taxation issues;
2. Understand the Australian taxation framework;
3. Analyse, discuss and resolve problems relating to complex income tax and GST issues; and
4. Appreciate the dynamic nature of income tax and GST laws which impact on taxpayers' legal rights and duties.
5. Understand the professional and developmental opportunities offered by Australia's tax profession

The specific course learning goals and unit objectives that apply to this unit are shown in the assessment section of this unit outline.

Content

The following provides a brief overview of the topics to be covered: - Partnerships - Trusts - Companies and dividends - Employers and employee tax responsibilities - Retirement and superannuation - International taxation - CGT small business concessions - Tax planning and tax avoidance provisions - Goods and services tax - The tax profession in Australia

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

Teaching and learning strategies are designed to facilitate the aims and objectives of the unit. The emphasis in Advanced Taxation Law is to equip students with the necessary skills so as to research and solve tax-related problems.

Lectures
Students are expected to attend lectures each week. Detailed lecture notes are provided each week for students. You should download the lecture notes each week from the AYB320 Blackboard site and bring it with you to the lecture. The address is: http://blackboard.qut.edu.au. You can access on-line units using any computer that has Internet access. The QUT Student Computing Guide contains information on how to access and use the computing facilities at QUT.

All material on the AYB320 Blackboard site will be automatically removed on the day of the final exam for this unit. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have copies of all materials before this date.

Tutorials
Students are expected to attend tutorials each week. Tutorials commence in Week 2. Once allocated to a tutorial, students must remain in that tutorial for the entire semester. After the first tutorial, changes are not permitted unless there are exceptional circumstances and the express consent of the unit co-ordinator is given.

Students are expected to download the tutorial questions from the AYB320 Blackboard site and bring it with you to the tutorial together with your answers. As part of the assessment for this unit (see below), students are required to make one presentation during the tutorial.

Tutorials provide an opportunity for you to develop your understanding of key issues and concepts dealt with in lectures. Each week students will need to complete the required readings and to prepare answers for the tutorial questions. Completion of the weekly tutorial questions is considered an essential component of this unit.

Under no circumstances are students entitled to copies of the tutorial solutions. The only way that students will be able to check their tutorial answers is to attend tutorials. Whilst students are able to check their tutorial answers with their tutor provided they have attempted the tutorial work, students will not be allowed to sit in a staff member's office and copy out tutorial solutions verbatim.

Past experience has indicated that there is a strong correlation between students who fail the unit and students who do not attend lectures and tutorials.

Assessment

Students will receive feedback in various forms throughout the semester, which may include:
· Informal: worked examples, such as verbal feedback in class, personal consultation
· Formal: in writing, such as checklists (e.g. criteria sheets), written commentary
· Direct: to individual students, either in written form or in consultation
Indirect: to whole class

Assessment name: Professional Presentation
Description: Professional presentation on a selected tax topic comprising the following tasks:
-an oral presentation during a tutorial
-a written submission

Length / Duration: Presentation 5 minutes with a written submission no greater than 1000 words.
Formative or Summative: Both
Due date: Progressive throughout tutorials commencing week 3.
Relates to objectives: Unit Objectives: 1, 2, 3 and 4 and AOL goals: KS(1.1); CTA(2.1); PC(3.1,3.2)
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Progressive

Assessment name: Video Assignment
Description: Students are presented with real life tax problems and are required to conduct detailed research to correctly identify all the relevant taxation issues and provide advice as to how these issues may be resolved.
Length / Duration: Video of 1 to 3 minutes long plus a 1-2 page executive summary.
Formative or Summative: Both
Weight: 30% (6% for team processes)
Relates to objectives: Unit Objectives: 1, 2, 3 and 4 and AOL goals: KS (1.1); CTA (2.1); PC (3.1, 3.2); TW (4.1); SEU (5.1).
Weight: 30%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Group
Due date: Week 7

Assessment name: End of Semester Examination
Description: Will include multiple choice questions and problem solving questions based on topics covered during the entire semester, open book.
Length / Duration: 2 hours working 15 minutes perusal
Formative or Summative: Summative
Relates to objectives: Unit Objectives: 1, 2 and 3 and AOL goals: KS (1.1); CTA (2.1); PC(3.1)
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Central Exam Period

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

Prescribed Texts and Readings
· Australian Tax Handbook 2013, Thomson, Sydney, NSW, 2013; or
· Australian Master Tax Guide 2013, CCH Australia Ltd, Sydney, NSW, 2012
· Fundamental Tax Legislation 2013, Thomson, Sydney , NSW, 2013; or
· Australian Core Tax Legislation & Study Guide 2013CCH Australia Ltd, Sydney, NSW, 2013.

Risk assessment statement

There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with lectures or tutorials in this unit.
You should, however, familiarise yourself with evacuation procedures operating in the buildings in which you attend classes and take the time to view the Emergency video .

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 24-Jan-2013