Studying online
There are now 2 possible online modes for units:
Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.
Click on an offering mode for more details.
Unit Overview
- Description
This unit provides an overview of the law and principles of income taxation in Australia. Taxation is ubiquitous in almost all areas of life, not least because it is the key source of public revenue thereby enabling government expenditure, as well as providing a tool for government to influence behaviour, from birth to death. Given the economic, social and political ramifications, any student who wishes to practice as a lawyer or work in business, government, or the not-for-profit sector is well advised to have at least a broad understanding of the Australian taxation system: its sources, functions, content, limits and administration; as well as a theoretical basis to evaluate the system.
The unit intends to introduce students to these principles in the context of the Australian income tax system; to provide an introduction to the international context of the Australian income tax system; to help students hone the core skills of statutory interpretation and case analysis by applying the content of income tax law to standard transactions; and to provide students with a foundational knowledge of key income tax concepts such as assessable income, deductions and allowances, tax accounting rules for timing and character recognition, and taxable entities. It also engages with current research, comparative perspectives and recent developments in the law to critique the tax system and the tax reform process.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
(see Timetable) Availability Location Mode Semester 1 UWA (Perth) Face to face - Outcomes
Students are able to (1) (a) explain the sources, functions and limits of the Australian tax system; (b) demonstrate a foundational knowledge and understanding of the following key concepts of the income tax law: assessable income (including capital gains), deductions and allowances, tax accounting rules for timing and character recognition of income and expenditure, and taxable entities and an introduction to their differing treatment; (c) demonstrate an introductory comprehension of the international context of the Australian tax system (including issues of residence and source); (d) demonstrate an understanding of current developments in income tax law, including by reference to comparative international perspectives; (2) demonstrate (a) a foundational knowledge of the way in which the tax system is administered, the role of tax lawyers (and lawyers more generally) in administration; (b) an ability to recognise and reflect upon a tax lawyer's professional and ethical responsibilities in the context of tax planning and tax avoidance; (3) identify, interpret and apply income taxation law principles to provide written and oral advice on standard transactions and on complex tax law issues, locate, synthesise and analyse relevant material from primary and secondary sources to critically discuss contemporary tax issues, by reference to tax policy and broader socio-economic objectives, to critically evaluate the Australian tax system and tax laws, as well as tax reform proposals and the tax reform process itself, and the potential legal, administrative and policy responses; (4) demonstrate an ability to locate, synthesise and analyse relevant material from primary and secondary sources to critically discuss contemporary tax issues; and (5) provide written and oral advice on standard transactions and on complex tax law issues; and critically discuss contemporary tax issues.
- Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) research essay/submission and (2) examination. Further information is available in the unit outline.
Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.
- Unit Coordinator(s)
- Professor Nolan Sharkey
- Unit rules
- Prerequisites
- Enrolment in ) ) For all other students: no prerequisites
- Incompatibility
- LAWS3362 Income Taxation Law
- Contact hours
- Students must attend all day sessions on Wednesdays in April and May. Refer to the timetable for more details.
- The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
- All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
- Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
- Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.
Face to face
Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Online flexible
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online timetabled
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online Restricted
Not available for self-enrolment. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.
NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.
External
No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.
Off-campus
Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.
Multi-mode
Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.