Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2015-2016 (archived)

Module BUSS2151: Introduction to Taxation

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

BUSS2151: Introduction to Taxation

Type Tied Level 2 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2015/16 Module Cap Location Queen's Campus Stockton
Tied to N420
Tied to NN43
Tied to NN34
Tied to N300

Prerequisites

  • • ECOS1081: Introduction to Financial Accounting

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • To enable students to understand the general objectives of tax and to calculate income tax, national insurance contributions, capital gains tax, corporation tax and VAT in straightforward scenarios.

Content

  • Objectives and types of tax
  • Ethics and administration
  • Income tax and national insurance contributions
  • Capital gains tax and corporation tax on chargeable gains
  • Corporation tax
  • Value Added Tax (VAT)
  • Introduction to overseas aspects of tax

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • On completion of this module, students will be able to:
  • explain the general objectives of tax, the influences upon the UK system of tax and the different types of tax in the UK.
  • recognise the ethical issues arising in the course of performing tax work and identify the obligations the UK system of tax imposes on taxpayers and the implications for taxpayers of non-compliance.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • On completion of this module, students will be able to:
  • calculate the amounts of income tax owed by or owed to individuals and the amounts of national insurance payable.
  • calculate the capital gains tax payable by individuals and the chargeable gains subject to corporation tax.
  • calculate the corporation tax liabilities of companies.
  • calculate the amount of VAT owed by or owed to businesses.
Key Skills:
  • Written communication
  • Planning, Organisation and Time Management
  • Problem Solving and Analysis
  • Initiative by gaining access to relevant sources.
  • Computer literacy
  • Self-management and demonstration of ability to sustain effort over an extended period.

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

  • Learning will be facilitated by lectures, seminars and support for private study.
  • Students will be summatively assessed by a combination of examination and assignment.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 11 Fortnightly 2 hours 22
Seminars 8 Once per fortnight 1 hour 8
Preparation, fieldwork and reading 170
Total 200

Summative Assessment

Component: Examination Component Weighting: 70%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Examination 2 hours 100% Same
Component: Assignment Component Weighting: 30%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Assignment 3000 words max 100% Same

Formative Assessment:

Formative assessment will be by means of a written assignment (1,500 words maximum), which will involve preparation of tax returns.


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