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Advanced Topics in Taxation (LAWS50110)
Graduate coursework level 5Points: 12.5Not available in 2021
Please refer to the return to campus page for more information on these delivery modes and students who can enrol in each mode based on their location.
Overview
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Advanced Topics in Taxation is a specialist subject that aims to give students advanced knowledge of selected topics in business taxation; international tax; tax avoidance; and the challenge of taxation for a sustainable government in a global era. The subject is taught in a seminar format.
The subject will examine Australian tax law in the context of contemporary theoretical and policy challenges. Key challenges include tax competition and tax co-operation between states, tax avoidance and tax havens; how to tax the digital economy and how to tax multinationals in a global context. Students will work on practical tax law problems in small syndicates to gain mastery of tax law principles through active engagement in tax planning for a business and will also engage in reading and discussing key tax cases and texts.
This subject enables students to apply advanced tax law to a range of commercial and policy contexts in preparation for professional legal practice. It integrates the development of specialist tax law knowledge with tax theory and policy in the real world.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of the subject, students should:
- Have an advanced understanding of the Australian income tax rules for businesses;
- Be able to apply in an integrated manner, the statutory and case law rules for the taxation of companies, trusts and partnerships in a national and international context;
- Be able to analyse the tax consequences of events during the lifecycle and sale of business through a share or asset sale;
- Be able to evaluate critically Australia's tax law in light of the challenges of globalization of capital, workers and information, new developments in tax theory and new forms of government cooperation;
- Understand how tax avoidance rules are designed and operate in the real world through application to business tax planning, including the role of the tax advisor; and
- Be able to plan, advise on and implement effective tax structures with creativity and initiative including understanding tax risk and the role of the tax advisor.
Generic skills
On completion of the subject students should have developed and demonstrated expert skills in the following areas:
- Mastery of a complex and ever-changing legal regime in a global context;
- The ability to quickly and critically analyse the tax aspects of a commercial problem, and the technical and creative skills to initiate and apply a solution;
- The ability to carry out strategic, commercial and ethical tax planning;
- The ability to work collaboratively in a team; and
- The ability to write advice that communicates and justifies a response to a complex issue to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
Last updated: 24 January 2023
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
All of
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAWS50023 | Legal Method and Reasoning | Summer Term (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| LAWS50024 | Principles of Public Law | Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| LAWS50025 | Torts | Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| LAWS50026 | Obligations | Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| LAWS50027 | Dispute Resolution | Not available in 2023 |
12.5 |
| LAWS50028 | Constitutional Law | Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| LAWS50029 | Contracts | Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| LAWS50030 | Property | Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| LAWS50031 | Legal Theory |
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
November (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
| LAWS50046 | Taxation Law and Policy | Semester 1 (Online) |
12.5 |
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 24 January 2023
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Class Participation: the mark for class participation will be based primarily on active engagement and discussion in syndicates during the seminars on case studies or key tax readings | Throughout the teaching period | 10% |
In class test: open book exam
| 30% | |
Final exam: students will undertake an open book exam covering a range of topics and materials analysed throughout the subject
| 60% |
Additional details
The due date of the above assessment will be available to students via the Assessment Schedule on the LMS Community.
Last updated: 24 January 2023
Quotas apply to this subject
Dates & times
Not available in 2021
Time commitment details
144 hours
Additional delivery details
This subject has a quota.
Last updated: 24 January 2023
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
- Income Tax Legislation (single, edited volume, current year edition), published alternatively by CCH, Thomson, or Lexis;
- Kobetsky, et al, Income Tax: Text Materials and Essential Cases, (Federation Press 2012);
- Specialist printed materials will be made available from the Melbourne Law School.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Juris Doctor - Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 24 January 2023