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Tax in Practice (LAWS90233)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 6.25Online
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About this subject
Contact information
May
Lecturers
Andrew Mills (Coordinator)
Daniel McInerney
James Strong
Email: law-masters@unimelb.edu.au
Phone: +61 3 8344 6190
Website: law.unimelb.edu.au
Overview
Availability(Quotas apply) | May - Online |
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Fees | Look up fees |
Today’s tax professional requires a combination of technical tax expertise and a deep understanding of the practical aspects of operating within the tax system. This subject will cover the latest developments in the essential practical skills required of the tax professional.
The emphasis of this subject will be on equipping you with the practical aspects of dealing with the day-to-day issues you will encounter as a tax practitioner. You will learn the importance of managing tax risk.
The subject will be presented with leading tax practitioners from different sectors including tax law and accounting practice, government, and the corporate sector. It presents a unique opportunity to benefit from their extensive experience.
Principal topics will include:
- The role of the professional, the regulator, the legislature and the courts in the tax system
- Making tax law and tax reform – what is unique?
- The tax practitioner: ethics and obligations; in-house counsel, tax advisors and the Tax Office
- The benefits and challenges of technology and data in tax practice, compliance and administration
- Overview of tax effective writing; providing advice, seeking advice, advocating for clients.
- Interpreting the law: tax office administrative guidance and protection from amended assessment, penalties and interest
- Navigating the relationship between taxpayers and the Tax Office including negotiations, investigations and disputes
- Tax risk management from a taxpayer and Tax Office perspective; keeping the client and the board informed.
Intended learning outcomes
A student who has successfully completed this subject will:
- Be able to lead and present on current issues and challenges in the broad field of tax practice
- Have a detailed understanding of the tax advisor's legal, ethical and practical obligations and key relationships and be able to apply ethics to practical situations
- Have the cognitive and technical skills to generate critical and creative ideas and present these orally and in writing relating to the practical aspects of tax practice
- Have an advanced and integrated understanding of the practical aspects of interpreting tax advice and law and providing tax advice
- Understand risk management process in the tax context
Generic skills
A student who has successfully completed this subject will:
- Have a practical understanding of how to engage with different stakeholders in a complex regulatory system, from law-makers to clients and other advisors.
- Have the communication skills to clearly articulate and convey complex information to specialist and non-specialist audiences in the private sector and in government.
- Develop their oral communication skills in presenting and leading facilitated discussion.
- Practice advanced written communication skills in a complex statutory legal field.
Last updated: 31 January 2024