Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2023-2024

Module ACCT2091: Taxation

Department: Accounting

ACCT2091: Taxation

Type Tied Level 2 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2023/24 Module Cap None. Location Durham
Tied to N408
Tied to N409
Tied to NN43
Tied to N302
Tied to N304
Tied to N305
Tied to N306
Tied to N307
Tied to NN42
Tied to N204
Tied to N206

Prerequisites

  • ACCT1121 Principles of Taxation

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • ACCT2021 Introduction to Taxation

Aims

  • To enable students to understand the general objectives of tax and to calculate income tax, national insurance contributions, capital gains tax, corporation tax, inheritance tax, VAT and stamp taxes in straightforward scenarios.
  • To enable students to prepare tax computations and provide tax advice to individuals and companies in straightforward scenarios.

Content

  • Objectives and types of tax
  • Ethics, law and administration
  • Income tax and national insurance contributions
  • Capital gains tax and corporation tax on chargeable gains
  • Corporation tax
  • Inheritance tax
  • VAT and stamp taxes

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • On completion of this module students should:
  • Have an understanding of the general objectives of tax, the influences upon the UK system of tax and the different types of tax in the UK
  • Have an appreciation of the ethical issues arising in the course of performing tax work and be able to identify the obligations the UK system of tax imposes on taxpayers and the implications for taxpayers of non-compliance
  • Be familiar with capital gains tax, income tax, inheritance tax, national insurance, corporation tax, stamp taxes and VAT
Subject-specific Skills:
  • On completion of this module students should:
  • Be able to calculate the amounts of income tax owed by or owed to individuals and the amounts of national insurance payable
  • Be able to calculate the capital gains tax payable by individuals and the chargeable gains subject to corporation tax
  • 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 amounts of inheritance tax due on lifetime transfers and transfers on death by individuals, and personal representatives
  • Be able to calculate the amount of national insurance payable by individuals, businesses and companies
  • Be able to calculate the amount of stamp taxes due in straightforward transactions
  • Be aware of the position of the UK tax system in the context of international tax systems
  • Have a basic understanding of how the UK tax system interacts with other international tax systems
  • Be aware of ethical tax practice
Key Skills:
  • Problem solving skills
  • Critical analysis and judgement skills
  • Written and verbal communication skills
  • Planning, organisation and time management skills

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 blended learning materials, workshops and independent study; workshop activities and discussions will provide technical awareness of topics in a comprehensive form.
  • Formative assessment will provide feedback to students regarding their ability to practice taxation in different scenarios and contexts.
  • The summative assessments are split into a timed invigilated examination and a 2000 word assignment which address students’ understanding of the main tax concepts and technical treatments.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Workshops 20 Weekly 2 hours 40
Revision webinar 1 Once 2 hours 2
Preparation, Reading and Independent Study 158
Total 200

Summative Assessment

Component: Examination Component Weighting: 70%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
In-person Written Examination 2.5 hours 100% Same
Component: Written Assignment Component Weighting: 30%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Written assignment 2000 words max 100% Same

Formative Assessment:

Practice test


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