CQUniversity Unit Profile
LAWS20060 Taxation Law of Australia
Taxation Law of Australia
All details in this unit profile for LAWS20060 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
General Information

Overview

This unit enables students to acquire a sound knowledge of the Australian taxation system and the compliance requirements. It also provides students with an awareness of the key provisions of the relevant taxation legislation, and enables them to apply the relevant legislative concepts to determine taxation consequences.Topics include: the Constitution and taxation power; the concept, source and derivation of income; trading stock, exempt income, allowable deductions; tax offsets; and the determination of taxable income; decline in value; and miscellaneous business deducations; tax administration; fringe benefits tax; and goods and services tax. If you have successfully completed the unit LAWS20023 you should not enrol in this unit.

Details

Career Level: Postgraduate
Unit Level: Level 9
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 10
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

There are no requisites for this unit.

Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).

Offerings For Term 2 - 2020

Brisbane
Melbourne
Online
Sydney

Attendance Requirements

All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).

Class and Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Each 6-credit Postgraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.

Class Timetable

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Practical and Written Assessment
Weighting: 40%
2. Online Quiz(zes)
Weighting: 60%

Assessment Grading

This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.

Previous Student Feedback

Feedback, Recommendations and Responses

Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.

Feedback from Student Survey

Feedback

Feedback for assignment could be improved

Recommendation

More detailed feedback will be provided to students. Individual feedback will be recorded and provided in Feedback Studio, discussing various elements of the student's assignment, in addition to providing general feedback to the student cohort.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Demonstrate a sound understanding of the Australian Taxation system and the sources of Australian taxation by researching and reporting on the Australian regulatory framework for taxation
  2. Demonstrate a professional knowledge of the main concepts and principles of Australian taxation law by analysing given business scenarios and reporting on the most appropriate planning for, or application of, Australian taxation law
  3. Demonstrate competence in applying Australian taxation law by calculating and reporting on the correct or most appropriate preparation of income tax returns of moderate complexity for individual taxpayers, companies, partnerships and trusts
  4. Analyse and report on the compliance requirements of the Australian taxation system, including a critical awareness of the concept of tax avoidance and of general tax avoidance provisions in the Australian Tax legislation
  5. Provide strategic advice to stakeholders regarding the tax issues arising from common scenarios.
Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5
1 - Practical and Written Assessment - 40%
2 - Online Quiz(zes) - 60%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5
1 - Knowledge
2 - Communication
3 - Cognitive, technical and creative skills
4 - Research
5 - Self-management
6 - Ethical and Professional Responsibility
7 - Leadership
8 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes

Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
1 - Practical and Written Assessment - 40%
2 - Online Quiz(zes) - 60%
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

Prescribed

Tax Kit

(2020)
Authors: Sadiq et al
Thomson Reuters
Pyrmont Pyrmont , Australia
ISBN: 9780455244112
Binding: Paperback

Additional Textbook Information

Tax Kit contains Principles of Taxation Law 2020 by Sadiq et al and Tax Questions and Answers 2020 by Mortimer and Bain. They are packaged together at a reduced cost to students and can be purchased at the CQUniversity Bookshop here:http://bookshop.cqu.edu.au (search on the Unit code). eBooks are available at the publisher's website.

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Australian Guide to Legal Citation, 4th ed

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Kirsty Abbott Unit Coordinator
k.unger@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 - The Australian Taxation System Begin Date: 13 Jul 2020

Module/Topic

Overview and structure of the Australian taxation system

Chapter

Principles of Taxation Law 2020: Chapters 1, 2 and 3

Tax Questions and Answers 2020: See Moodle

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 2 - Residence and Source Begin Date: 20 Jul 2020

Module/Topic

Residence and source

Chapter

Principles of Taxation Law 2020: Chapter 4

Tax Questions and Answers 2020: See Moodle

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 3 - Income Begin Date: 27 Jul 2020

Module/Topic

Income: Assessable income, income from personal services and employment, income from business, income from property and principles of compensation. 

Chapter

Principles of Taxation Law 2020: Chapters 5, 6, 8, 9  and 10

Tax Questions and Answers 2020: See Moodle

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 4 - Deductions and offsets Begin Date: 03 Aug 2020

Module/Topic

General Deductions and specific deductions and offsets

Chapter

Principles of Taxation Law 2020: Chapters 12, 13 and 15

Tax Questions and Answers 2020: See Moodle

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 5 - Capital gains tax Begin Date: 10 Aug 2020

Module/Topic

Capital gains tax

Chapter

Principles of Taxation Law 2020: Chapter 11

Tax Questions and Answers 2020: See Moodle

Events and Submissions/Topic

Vacation Week Begin Date: 17 Aug 2020

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6 - FBT Begin Date: 24 Aug 2020

Module/Topic

Week 6 - Fringe Benefits Tax

Chapter

Principles of Taxation Law 2020: Chapter 7

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 7 - Capital allowances Begin Date: 31 Aug 2020

Module/Topic

Capital allowances

Chapter

Principles of Taxation Law 2020: Chapter 14

Tax Questions and Answers 2020: See Moodle

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assignment 1 Due: Week 7 Monday (31 Aug 2020) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 8 - Companies and trading stock Begin Date: 07 Sep 2020

Module/Topic

Introduction to company taxation and trading stock

Chapter

Principles of Taxation Law 2020: Chapters 17 and 21

Tax Questions and Answers 2020: See Moodle

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 9 - partnerships and trusts Begin Date: 14 Sep 2020

Module/Topic

Taxation of partners and partnerships, and taxation of trusts and beneficiaries 

Chapter

Principles of Taxation Law 2020: Chapters 19 and 20

Tax Questions and Answers 2020: See Moodle

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 10 - Tax avoidance and tax administraton Begin Date: 21 Sep 2020

Module/Topic

Week 10 - Tax avoidance and tax administraton

Chapter

Principles of Taxation Law 2020: Chapters 23 and 24

Tax Questions and Answers 2020: See Moodle

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 11 - GST Begin Date: 28 Sep 2020

Module/Topic

Goods and Services Tax

Chapter

Principles of Taxation Law 2020: Chapter 25

Tax Questions and Answers 2020: See Moodle

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 12 - Revision Week Begin Date: 05 Oct 2020

Module/Topic

Revision Week

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 12 Oct 2020

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Exam Week Begin Date: 19 Oct 2020

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment Tasks

1 Practical and Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Assignment 1

Task Description

This assessment item is an individual written assignment worth 40% of the total unit mark. It covers aspects of the unit covered in Weeks 1 to 5 of the term. Part A consists of 5 short answer questions, which are designed to test your knowledge of some of the key concepts covered in weeks 1 to 5 of the term. Part B is a case study, that requires you to apply the knowledge that you have gained in weeks 1 to 5 of term, and provide advice to a hypothetical taxpayer in relation to their residency status, and apply the source rules based on that residency status to calculate their assessable income. Part C is another case study, that requires you to apply the knowledge that you have gained in weeks 1 to 5 of term, and provide advice to a hypothetical taxpayer to calculate their taxable income.  The assignment will require you to demonstrate your information literacy skills by locating information about tax and to further demonstrate your problem solving skills by identifying tax issues and locating the relevant legislative and secondary source to support your argument regarding these issues. The total word count for the assignment will not be more than 3000 words. Further details regarding the assignment will be provided on the Moodle site for the unit at the start of the term.


Assessment Due Date

Week 7 Monday (31 Aug 2020) 11:45 pm AEST

Assignments submitted after this date (or a date approved by the unit coordinator after an online extension application) may incur a penalty of 5% per day.


Return Date to Students

Week 9 Monday (14 Sept 2020)

Assignments will be returned two weeks after due date. If an assignment is submitted late it may be returned after this time.


Weighting
40%

Assessment Criteria

Assessment and Evaluation Criteria

These criteria are a general guide as to the standard expected at the various levels. Characteristics indicative of the respective levels of achievement in the assignment are as follows. It is not necessarily the case that all these criteria will be met at a particular standard as there may be a superior performance on one of the criteria and not so satisfactory performance on another.

High distinction standard
· The answer is very well written and clearly expressed
· There is a demonstrated appreciation and understanding of the issues involved
· The answer is well structured and logically organised
· Demonstrated mastery of referencing system
· There is evidence of a comprehensive analysis of the issues
· Conclusions are backed by well-reasoned arguments demonstrating a detailed insight and analysis of issues
· Comprehensive coverage of all relevant issues
· References are made to the appropriated legislation for particular issues
· Statutory provisions are analysed and interpreted correctly
· The legislation is applied to the particular fact situation in a competent manner
· Consideration is given to the operation of the common law
· There may be consideration of issues not raised in the tutorials and answer guides

Distinction standard
· The answer is well written and expressed
· The answer is structured and logical
· The issues have been reasonably well identified and appreciated
· There is correct use of referencing
· Issues have been analysed
· Reference is made to all appropriate legislation, although the analysis and interpretation is not as detailed and reasoned as for the high distinction standard
· The effect of the common law is considered
· There is a comprehensive coverage of the issues
· Occasional errors of law and legal reasoning may still be present

Credit standard
· The answer is generally well written and expressed
· The answer is structured and sequential
· Referencing is satisfactory
· Issues are identified and addressed

· There has been an attempt to analyse some of the issues

· The coverage of issues is reasonably comprehensive often with a good treatment and analysis of particular points · Errors of law and incorrect reasoning may sometimes be present

· Statutory interpretation may require improvement
· Depth of treatment is often lacking in some of the issues

Pass standard
· The answer is able to be followed and understood
· The answer could perhaps be better organised and structured
· The referencing may need improvement
· Issues may need to be identified and addressed in more depth
· Analysis when present may be incorrect
· Some familiarity with the legislation and its application is demonstrated
· Sometimes the conclusions reached are simple
· There may be several errors of law
· There may be quantities of material of marginal relevance included in the answer

Fail standard
· The answer may be significantly short of the required length
· The written expression is poor and difficult to understand
· The answer is poorly organised
· There has been a failure to identify and address the issues in the question
· Referencing is generally inadequate
· There is a lack of familiarity with the legislation and its appropriate application
· The reasoning and application demonstrated is poor
· Frequently there is much irrelevant material


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Submission Instructions This assignment is to be submitted online via Moodle in one (1) Word document only. It is suggested that where necessary you put your calculations into columns or tables to improve readability of the assignment document. The method of referencing to be used is the Australian Guide to Legal Citation (AGLC) 4rd Edition. Additional information regarding this method is available through the library and the Academic Learning Centre. When making a reference, cite the original source or authority in preference to a secondary source such as the textbook, especially when you are discussing various sections of legislation. This means you should make reference to legislation, cases and Tax Rulings as a priority to back up any arguments that you make in your assignment.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Demonstrate a sound understanding of the Australian Taxation system and the sources of Australian taxation by researching and reporting on the Australian regulatory framework for taxation
  • Demonstrate a professional knowledge of the main concepts and principles of Australian taxation law by analysing given business scenarios and reporting on the most appropriate planning for, or application of, Australian taxation law
  • Demonstrate competence in applying Australian taxation law by calculating and reporting on the correct or most appropriate preparation of income tax returns of moderate complexity for individual taxpayers, companies, partnerships and trusts
  • Provide strategic advice to stakeholders regarding the tax issues arising from common scenarios.


Graduate Attributes
  • Knowledge
  • Communication
  • Cognitive, technical and creative skills

2 Online Quiz(zes)

Assessment Title
End of semester quiz

Task Description

The end of semester exam for T2, 2020 will take the form of an online Moodle quiz. It will be worth 60% of the total unit mark, and will consist of a mixture of multiple choice, true and false, calculation, and conceptual questions. More details will be provided on Moodle during the term. 


Number of Quizzes

1


Frequency of Quizzes

Other


Assessment Due Date

Return Date to Students

Weighting
60%

Assessment Criteria

No Assessment Criteria


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
You will be advised during the term how to access the online Moodle quiz

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Demonstrate a sound understanding of the Australian Taxation system and the sources of Australian taxation by researching and reporting on the Australian regulatory framework for taxation
  • Demonstrate a professional knowledge of the main concepts and principles of Australian taxation law by analysing given business scenarios and reporting on the most appropriate planning for, or application of, Australian taxation law
  • Demonstrate competence in applying Australian taxation law by calculating and reporting on the correct or most appropriate preparation of income tax returns of moderate complexity for individual taxpayers, companies, partnerships and trusts
  • Analyse and report on the compliance requirements of the Australian taxation system, including a critical awareness of the concept of tax avoidance and of general tax avoidance provisions in the Australian Tax legislation
  • Provide strategic advice to stakeholders regarding the tax issues arising from common scenarios.


Graduate Attributes
  • Knowledge
  • Cognitive, technical and creative skills

Academic Integrity Statement

As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.

Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.

When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.

Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.

As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.

What is a breach of academic integrity?

A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.

Why is academic integrity important?

A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.

Where can I get assistance?

For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.

What can you do to act with integrity?