Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2014-2015 (archived)

Module ECOS2231: TAX COMPLIANCE

Department: Business School (Economics and Finance) [Queen's Campus, Stockton]

ECOS2231: TAX COMPLIANCE

Type Tied Level 2 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2014/15 Module Cap None. Location Queen's Campus Stockton
Tied to N400

Prerequisites

  • Principles of Taxation

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • To enable students to prepare tax computations and provide tax advice to individuals and companies in straightforward scenarios.

Content

  • Ethics and law
  • Capital gains tax
  • Income tax
  • Inheritance tax
  • National Insurance contributions
  • Corporation tax
  • VAT and stamp taxes

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • Have knowledge of the ethical issues arising in the course of performing tax work
  • Be familiar with capital gains tax, income tax, inheritance tax, National Insurance, corporation tax, stamp taxes and VAT
  • Have knowledge of the obligations the UK system of tax imposes on tax payers
  • Have knowledge of the implications for taxpayers of non-compliance
Subject-specific Skills:
  • Be able to calculate the capital gains tax payable by individuals and trustees.
  • Be able to calculate the amounts of income tax owed by or owed to individuals and trustees.
  • Be able to calculate the amounts of inheritance tax due on lifetime transfers and transfers on death by individuals, personal representatives and trustees.
  • Be able to calculate the amount of national insurance payable by individuals, businesses and companies.
  • Be able to calculate the corporation tax liabilities of companies
  • Be able to calculate the amount of VAT owed by or owed to businesses.
  • Be able to calculate the amount of stamp taxes due in straightforward transactions.
Key Skills:
  • be able to take responsibility for their own advanced studies, to undertake and manage independent investigation and adhere to deadlines.
  • have developed a range of generic transferable skills relating to library research, synthesis of data, critical thinking, problem solving, creativity, and reflection on learning.
  • be able to communicate effectively through written materials and visual aids.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • Learning will be based on knowledge transfer from lectures, seminars and personal study; investigation of cases and real world organisations which will underpin the seminars will encourage students to develop awareness of cultural differences and apply these to development of their skills in managing themselves and others in such contexts.
  • Seminar activities and discussions will provide the technical awareness of topics in a comprehensive form.
  • The formative assignment will provide feedback to students regarding their understanding of the main concepts and technical treatments.
  • Background research on the relevant concepts will provide the ground for critical review of different ethical behaviours to meet tax obligations; this will be examined through the summative assignment.
  • The examination will test students’ understanding of the main concepts and technical treatments through problem solving and reflection on learning.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 10 4 Per Week 3 Hours 30
Seminars 4 Weekly 2 Hours 8
Case discussions 1 Annual 2 Hours 2
Preparation and Reading 160
Total 200

Summative Assessment

Component: Assignment Component Weighting: 40%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Individual assignment based on a critical review of ethical issues 2500 100% Same
Component: Examination Component Weighting: 60%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Written examination 2 hours 30 minutes 100% Same

Formative Assessment:

Online assignment involving technical problem solving


Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University