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 1 - 2024

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. Online Test
Weighting: 10%
2. Case Study
Weighting: 40%
3. Online Quiz(zes)
Weighting: 50%

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.

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 - Online Test - 10%
2 - Case Study - 40%
3 - Online Quiz(zes) - 50%

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
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

Prescribed

Principles of Taxation Law 2024

Edition: 2024 (2024)
Authors: Sadiq et al
Thomson Reuters
Sydney Sydney , NSW , Australia
ISBN: 9780455246895
Binding: Paperback

IT Resources

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

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing styles below:

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
John McLaren Unit Coordinator
j.mclaren@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 - Introduction to the Australian Taxation Law Begin Date: 04 Mar 2024

Module/Topic

Introduction to the Australian Taxation Law

Chapter

Principles of Taxation Law - Chapters 1 and 3.

Events and Submissions/Topic

End of chapter questions

Week 2 - Residency of the taxpayer and Source of Income Begin Date: 11 Mar 2024

Module/Topic

Residency of the taxpayer and Source of Income

Chapter

Principles of Taxation Law - Chapter 4. 

Events and Submissions/Topic

End of chapter questions

Week 3 - Assessable income - ordinary income from employment, business and property Begin Date: 18 Mar 2024

Module/Topic

Assessable income - ordinary income from employment, business and property

Chapter

Principles of Taxation Law - Chapters 5,6,8 and 9.

Events and Submissions/Topic

End of chapter questions.


Multiple Choice Test - end of Week 3 Due: Week 3 Friday (22 Mar 2024) 11:00 pm AEST
Week 4 - General Deductions Begin Date: 25 Mar 2024

Module/Topic

General Deductions

Chapter

Principles of Taxation Law - Chapter 12.

Events and Submissions/Topic

End of chapter questions

Week 5 - Specific Deductions and Capital Allowances Begin Date: 01 Apr 2024

Module/Topic

Specific Deductions and Capital Allowances

Chapter

Principles of Taxation Law - Chapters 13 and 14.

Events and Submissions/Topic

End of chapter questions

Vacation Week Begin Date: 08 Apr 2024

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6 - Taxation of Capital Gains and Trading Stock Begin Date: 15 Apr 2024

Module/Topic

Taxation of Capital Gains and Trading Stock

Chapter

Principles of Taxation Law - Chapters 11 and 17.

Events and Submissions/Topic

End of chapter questions

Week 7 - Tax Offsets and Tax Accounting Begin Date: 22 Apr 2024

Module/Topic

Tax Offsets and Tax Accounting

Chapter

Principles of Taxation Law - Chapters 15 and 16.

Events and Submissions/Topic

End of chapter questions

Week 8 - Taxation of Companies and Shareholders and Superannuation Begin Date: 29 Apr 2024

Module/Topic

Taxation of Companies and Shareholders and Superannuation

Chapter

Principles of Taxation Law - Chapters 18 and 21

Events and Submissions/Topic

End of chapter questions


Case Study questions Due: Week 8 Monday (29 Apr 2024) 11:00 pm AEST
Week 9 - Taxation of Partnerships and Partners and Trusts and Beneficiaries Begin Date: 06 May 2024

Module/Topic

Taxation of Partnerships and Partners and Trusts and Beneficiaries

Chapter

Principles of Taxation Law - Chapters 19 and 20

Events and Submissions/Topic

End of chapter questions

Week 10 - Tax Administration and Tax Avoidance Begin Date: 13 May 2024

Module/Topic

Tax Administration and Tax Avoidance

Chapter

Principles of Taxation Law - Chapters 23 and 24.

Events and Submissions/Topic

End of chapter questions

Week 11 - Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) Begin Date: 20 May 2024

Module/Topic

Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT)

Chapter

Principles of Taxation Law - Chapter 7.

Events and Submissions/Topic

End of chapter questions

Week 12 - Goods and Services Tax (GST) Begin Date: 27 May 2024

Module/Topic

Goods and Services Tax (GST)

Chapter

Principles of Taxation Law - Chapter 25.

Events and Submissions/Topic

End of chapter questions

Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 03 Jun 2024

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Exam Week Begin Date: 10 Jun 2024

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

End of Term online quiz Due: Exam Week Wednesday (12 June 2024) 6:00 pm AEST
Assessment Tasks

1 Online Test

Assessment Title
Multiple Choice Test - end of Week 3

Task Description

The MCQ test will cover taxation law from weeks 1 to 3. 


Assessment Due Date

Week 3 Friday (22 Mar 2024) 11:00 pm AEST

The online test must be completed within 30 minutes


Return Date to Students

Week 4 Friday (29 Mar 2024)

The mark will be shown in the grade book


Weighting
10%

Assessment Criteria

The MCQ test will comprise 10 questions covering weeks 1 to 3.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Students to access the test through Moodle.

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 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.

2 Case Study

Assessment Title
Case Study questions

Task Description

Students will be required to answer two case study questions which will involve calculation of the income tax liability as well as a demonstration of the application of that knowledge to practical situations. 


Assessment Due Date

Week 8 Monday (29 Apr 2024) 11:00 pm AEST

answers to be submitted in Moodle


Return Date to Students

Week 10 Monday (13 May 2024)

mark will be available in Moodle together with feedback


Weighting
40%

Assessment Criteria

Each case study question will be worth 20 marks with a total of 40 marks for the assessment task.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Submit answers on Moodle

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.

3 Online Quiz(zes)

Assessment Title
End of Term online quiz

Task Description

The end of term online quiz will cover all topics examined in this unit. The quiz will comprise short answer type case study questions requiring calculations and an application of the knowledge to practical situations.


Number of Quizzes

-1


Frequency of Quizzes

Other


Assessment Due Date

Exam Week Wednesday (12 June 2024) 6:00 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Exam Week Friday (14 June 2024)


Weighting
50%

Assessment Criteria

Students need to demonstrate not only a knowledge of Australian Taxation Law but also the ability to apply the law to practical situations.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • 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

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?