1999 Business and Economics Handbook - Master of Taxation

Master of Taxation - MTax

General
Course objectives
Admission requirements
- Normal admission
- Conditional admission
Fees
Duration
Mode of offering
Credit for work done previously
Course structure

General

Course code: 1473
Course director: Mr Vince Morabito
The aim of the Master of Taxation course is to provide students with a detailed understanding of the concepts and practical application of Australian taxation law with particular emphasis upon the development of research and writing skills appropriate for specialist taxation practitioners.

Course objectives

Upon completion of this course students will have:

examined in detail the legislation, case law and income tax rulings applicable to a wide range of taxation issues;
considered a wide range of practical case studies and class exercises designed to develop the advanced analytical skills required in interpretation and application of taxation laws;
developed an appreciation of the need for integration of revenue law and other areas of law in modern business transactions;
developed taxation law research skills and analytical writing skills to an advanced level through the completion of research projects on a variety of current taxation issues or an optional minor thesis; and
developed oral presentation skills through participation in class discussions and leading of discussions on complex taxation matters.

Admission requirements

Normal admission

Applicants must hold either:
1 a four-year pass degree in law from a recognised university or
2 a three-year pass degree from a recognised university or college of advanced education and one of the following:
(a) honours in a relevant discipline*; or
(b) a graduate diploma in a relevant discipline* with a credit average; or
(c) a second degree in law.
*FOR THIS PURPOSE A RELEVANT DISCIPLINE INCLUDES ACCOUNTING, LAW, ECONOMICS OR FINANCE.

Conditional admission

Applicants who hold a three-year pass degree from a recognised tertiary institution may be admitted to the course on a conditional basis if they have also completed:
1 the Professional Year program offered by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia; or
2 the Certified Practising Accountant program offered by the Australian Society of Certified Practising Accountants; or
3 the Graduate Certificate in Taxation or an equivalent program of graduate studies in taxation from a recognised university or college of advanced education.
Students admitted on a conditional basis will be required to complete two additional subjects from the list of electives prior to direct entry into the Master of Taxation.
Candidates who do not meet the above requirements may be eligible for the Graduate Diploma in Taxation, the Graduate Certificate in Taxation or the Executive Certificate in Taxation. With a credit average, it is possible to articulate to the Master of Taxation through these courses.

Fees

This is a fee-paying course. Candidates should consult the Department of Business Law and Taxation as to the 1999 course fee. Course fees are set and reviewed annually and are therefore subject to change.

Duration

The Master of Taxation is normally completed in two semesters of full-time study or four semesters of part-time study.

Mode of offering

Evening classes are offered at the Caulfield campus. Some subjects may be offered in an intensive mode during summer semester.

Credit for work done previously

Candidates may be eligible for a maximum of two credit exemptions for subjects considered to be equivalent to particular subjects in the course of study. Please refer to the course director for further details.

Course structure

The course consists of four double-weighted subjects. Each subject includes coursework presented in weekly seminars and a research project to be completed by students independently. The normal workload for part-time study would be one subject per semester and for full-time study two subjects per semester. At least two electives will be offered each semester. Additional electives may be offered over summer semester.
Subjects will be selected from the following list:

BTF5500 Income and deductions
BTF5510 Taxation of trusts and partnerships
BTF5520 Taxation of companies and shareholders
BTF5530 Capital gains
BTF5540 Employment taxation
BTF5550 Taxation of financial transactions
BTF5560 Anti-avoidance provisions
BTF5570 Tax administration and practice
BTF5580 Superannuation and retirement benefits
BTF5590 International tax
BTF5600 Stamp duties and other state taxes
BTF5610 Sales tax and customs and excise duties
BTF5620 Tax policy and constitutional issues
BTF5630 Current issues in taxation and tax planning
BTF5640 Asian taxation
Thesis (Taxation) equivalent of two Master of Taxation subjects