The aim of this module is to explore the principles and issues of policy that may influence the creation and development of a tax system, with particular regard to certain aspects of income and capital taxation in the United Kingdom.
The aim of this module is to explore the principles and issues of policy that may influence the creation and development of a tax system, with particular regard to certain aspects of income and capital taxation in the United Kingdom. Initially, this module seeks to identify and examine those principles and policy issues that shape tax systems and substantive fiscal provisions. This involves consideration of some fundamental questions: What are the characteristics of a good tax system? How are taxes classified? How does the introduction of a new tax, e.g. a 'green tax' or an alteration to an existing tax, (e.g. a rise or fall in the rates of income tax) affect the behaviour of taxpayers?
Attention is then directed toward the UK tax system which is largely founded on statute. The crucial interpretative role of the judges is highlighted; a role epitomised, in recent years, by the judicial approach to tax avoidance, and one which will be influential in the jurisprudence that evolves in relation to the newly enacted general anti-abuse rule (GAAR).
The remainder of the module involves the study of those aspects of the law relating to income tax and capital gains tax outlined below, and the analysis of the extent to which the areas of substantive law covered reflect the principles and policies studied earlier in the module.
This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.
Fiscal concepts and general principles of taxation. Foundations of UK taxation and statutory interpretation (including the impact of the HRA 1998 on the interpretation of tax legislation).
Tax avoidance and tax evasion.
Aspects of income and capital taxation:
history and structure of income tax including: taxation by source, taxable persons; personal allowances and reliefs; tax credits, computation; rates; administration and appellate structure;
income tax: taxation of the employed and self-employed: parameters of capital gains tax: basis of charge; assets; disposals; computation of gains/losses; exemptions and reliefs
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
TILEY, Revenue Law, 7th Edition, Hart Publishing (2012) OLOWOFOYEKU, The Taxation of Income, 2nd Edition, Cambridge Academic Press (2013)
KAY & KING, The British Tax System, 5th Edition (1990) LEE (Gen Ed) Revenue Law - Principles and Practice, 33rd ed., Bloomsbury (2015)
SALTER, LEE AND SNAPE, Revenue Law: Tax and Materials, Bloomsbury, 2007)
No subject specific skills defined for this module.
No transferable skills defined for this module.
| Type | Required |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 18 sessions of 1 hour (12%) |
| Seminars | 7 sessions of 1 hour (5%) |
| Private study | 125 hours (83%) |
| Total | 150 hours |
No private study requirements defined for this module.
No further costs have been identified for this module.
You do not need to pass all assessment components to pass the module.
Students can register for this module without taking any assessment.
| Weighting | Study time | Eligible for self-certification | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3000 word essay | 100% | Yes (extension) | |
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Students will write an essay on one of a list of topics given. |
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Coursework feedback via Tabula.
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