Unit Outline
BFA714
Australian Tax Law and Practice
Semester 2, 2026
Donovan Castelyn
Tasmanian School of Business & Economics (TSBE)
Tasmanian School of Business and Economics
CRICOS Provider Code: 00586B
Unit Coordinator
Donovan Castelyn
Email: donovan.castelyn@utas.edu.au
 
What is the Unit About?
Unit Description
This unit introduces students to the core concepts in Australian taxation and identifies the framework (both legal and administrative) behind those concepts. The knowledge gained through this exploration enables the application of the framework to current issues faced by individuals and businesses whilst ensuring compliance with statutory and professional requirements. Basic concepts of assessable income (including capital gains) and allowable deductions are extended through different entity structures with a focus on application to real life scenarios. The unit includes an introduction to Fringe Benefits Tax as well as Goods and Services Tax. Aspects of International tax and tax avoidance issues are also explored.
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 taxpayer problem.
4.
Perform income tax, CGT, FBT and GST liability calculations.
Alterations as a result of student feedback
 
 
 
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:
AT1 - Test
Refer to Assessment Description
30 %
LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 2:
Research Memorandum
Refer to Assessment Description
35 %
LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 3:
Take-home examination
Exam Period
35 %
LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
 
Assessment details
Assessment Task 1: AT1 - Test
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:
3 Hours
Due Date:
Refer to Assessment Description
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
4
Perform income tax, CGT, FBT and GST Liability Calculations
LO4
 
Assessment Task 2: Research Memorandum
Task Description:
You will be required to prepare a research memorandum which canvases potential responses to a hypothetical client scenario.
Task Length:
3000 words
Due Date:
Refer to Assessment Description
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
 
Assessment Task 3: Take-home examination
Task Description:
The take home 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.
Task Length:
24 hours
Due Date:
Exam Period
Weight:
35 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Conduct analysis on a scenario and determine the course of action for a given taxpayer
LO1, LO2, LO3
2
Apply relevant tax laws to a given scenario and perform relevant calculations
LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
3
Respond to questions concerning the application of FBT, GST and CGT and their relationship to income tax
LO2, LO3, 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
Recommended reading materials
 
 
Other required resources
In addition to the texts and software recommended above, you are also expected to be familiar with the key academic journals in the discipline from which useful insights may be derived.