Comparative Business Tax

Subject LAWS70009 (2010)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2010.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 7 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2010:

June, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: The total class time is between 24 and 26 hours.
Total Time Commitment: Visit the Melbourne Law Masters website for more information about this subject.
Prerequisites: Visit the Melbourne Law Masters website for more information about this subject.
Corequisites: Visit the Melbourne Law Masters website for more information about this subject.
Recommended Background Knowledge: Visit the Melbourne Law Masters website for more information about this subject.
Non Allowed Subjects: Visit the Melbourne Law Masters website for more information about this subject.
Core Participation Requirements: Visit the Melbourne Law Masters website for more information about this subject.

Coordinator

Assoc Prof Miranda Stewart

Contact

For the most up-to-date information about this subject, contact the Melbourne Law Masters Office by email at law-masters@unimelb.edu.au or phone 8344 6190 or alternatively visit the subject website: www.masters.law.unimelb.edu.au
Subject Overview:

This subject will compare and analyse tax law in selected countries concerning:

  • The legal framework and legislative process, rates, unit and administration of income tax
  • The income tax base for business, including issues such as residence and source, definition of profits, trading income and capital gains, taxation of fringe benefits
  • Deductions including mixed personal and business expenses, capital business costs and depreciation methods, losses and limitations on deductions and losses
  • Business entity tax focusing on corporations and including treatment of small business
  • Anti-abuse rules in administrative, judicial and statutory form.
Objectives:

This subject aims to provide a comparison of the income tax law and policy of Australia with our major trading partners, including the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, Canada and some European countries, with a particular focus on business taxation. The subject will provide a basic overview of the income tax systems of these countries and will include detailed comparative case studies focusing in particular on the UK, drawing on Mr Bowler Smith's expertise. It will assess the likely tax outcomes of a range of business transactions in each of the countries selected for comparison. The comparative framework provides an opportunity for identifying options for taxing business income that can indicate directions for business tax reform.

Assessment:

Class assignment on a selected country's tax system, involving a class presentation (15%) and written analysis (15%)
and
Take-home examination (70%) (6-9 August)
or
7,000 word research paper (70%) (23 September) on a topic approved by the subject coordinator

Prescribed Texts: Visit the subject website for more information
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills: Visit the Melbourne Law Masters website for more information about this subject.
Links to further information: http://www.masters.law.unimelb.edu.au/

Download PDF version.