Unit Outline

This unit is a compulsory unit in the Accounting Major and is designed to assist you in gaining an understanding of the theoretical concepts that underpin taxation law in Australia. This knowledge is used to develop your skills in the interpretation of taxation legislation, case law and rulings, and their application to different business entities and individuals. You will be required to calculate components of taxable income and different types of tax liability.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1	Interpret relevant legislation, cases, rulings and principles of taxation law in Australia.
2	Critique the relevant taxation rules, demonstrating knowledge of the connection between case law and legislation.
3	Apply tax rules and conventions to a scenario to solve a business problem.
4	Perform income tax, CGT, and FBT liability calculations.

Alterations as a result of student feedback

To be determined.

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Online Quiz	Week 7	30 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 2:	Assignment	Week 11	35 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	Exam	Exam Period	35 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Online Quiz

Task Description:

The test will provide students with feedback on their progress in the unit. The test assesses understanding of the core material from weeks 1 to 6.
More detail will be provided on MyLO.

Task Length:

2 hours

Due Date:

Week 7

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Locate and interpret fundamental rules relating to the Australian taxation system, including legislative provisions, case law decisions, Taxation Rulings and the role of taxation in social and environmental issues.	LO1
2	Communicate and critique the relevant taxation rules, demonstrating knowledge of the connection between case law and legislation.	LO2
3	Apply tax rules to a problem scenario with a given set of facts to reach a conclusion.	LO3

Assessment Task 2: Assignment

Task Description:

The assignment is an individual assessment task that involves advising a hypothetical client on the preparation of their tax return and providing an explanation on the inclusion or exclusion of the amounts referred to in the facts. The assignment provides students with an opportunity to apply the knowledge acquired during the semester to a practical setting.

This will be a two-part assessment comprising a written component and the preparation of a tax return using the MyGov software. The intention is to enhance both written and digital literacies in pursuit of SDG 4 and promoting you as lifelong learners in class and in your community.

More detail will be provided on MyLO.

Task Length:

2,500 words

Due Date:

Week 11

Weight:

35 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Locate and interpret fundamental rules relating to the Australian taxation system, including legislative provisions, case law decisions, Taxation Rulings and the role of taxation in social and environmental issues.	LO1
2	Communicate and critique the relevant taxation rules, demonstrating knowledge of the connection between case law and legislation.	LO2
3	Apply tax rules to a problem scenario with a given set of facts to reach a conclusion.	LO3
4	Apply legal referencing conventions.	LO3
5	Communicate independently with a hypothetical client or colleague in a clear and coherent written report.	LO3
6	Perform calculations of income tax.	LO4

Assessment Task 3: Exam

Task Description:

The exam will enable you to demonstrate your breadth and depth of understanding across all unit materials. All topics are examinable. An information sheet with details about the exam will be given to you in the last week of the semester and posted on MyLO. You will require a non-programmable calculator for the exam.

The invigilated exam will be completed by you via MyLO and Respondus on a day and time determined by the exams office.

Task Length:

3 hours

Due Date:

Exam Period

Weight:

35 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Locate and interpret fundamental rules relating to the Australian taxation system, including legislative provisions, case law decisions, Taxation Rulings and the role of taxation in social and environmental issues.	LO1
2	Communicate and critique the relevant taxation rules, demonstrating knowledge of the connection between case law and legislation.	LO2
3	Apply tax rules to a problem scenario with a given set of facts to reach a conclusion.	LO3
4	Perform calculations including income tax, CGT, and FBT liability.	LO4
5	Perform calculations of the taxpayers' tax liability	LO4

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Review of results and appeals

You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.

Required Resources

Required reading materials

The prescribed text in the unit is:

Black, et al. 2024, Fundamental Tax Legislation, 32nd edn, Thomson Reuters, Sydney, NSW.

You will also need access to tax legislation. A copy of the text may be purchased here Thomson Reuters_Principles of Taxation Law 2024. Use the code UNIS15 for 20% off.

Relevant chapters from the text have been highlighted in each topic folder for your review.

The two books will be available as a “pack” at a slightly lower price. Please note that acquiring a current edition of the text is essential for this unit, as tax law changes frequently. Students who use past editions may be at a disadvantage.