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Tax Risk Management - ATAX0438
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Faculty: Faculty of Law
 
 
School:  Australian School of Taxation
 
 
Course Outline: See below
 
 
Campus: ATAX Campus
 
 
Career: Postgraduate
 
 
Units of Credit: 6
 
 
EFTSL: 0.12500 (more info)
 
 
Indicative Contact Hours per Week: 0
 
 
Enrolment Requirements:
 
 
Restricted to students enrolled in Programs 9250 or 9260 or 9255
 
 
Excluded: ATAX0338, ATAX0538
 
 
Fee Band: 3 (more info)
 
 
Further Information: See Class Timetable
 
 

Description

Given the global trend towards greater reliance on self-assessment, maintaining high levels of voluntary compliance is a critical issue for tax administrators. Further, tax administrators are faced with limited resources and in response have generally adopted a risk management approach to enforcement. From the perspective of taxpayers, self assessment places a greater compliance burden on them in terms of obligations and costs. Both tax administrators and taxpayers can adopt a range of strategies to manage risk, but to be effective, these strategies need to be underpinned by an understanding of what drives the behaviour of the other party and of the dynamics of the tax environment. The course draws on current best international practice in compliance management and allows students the opportunity to apply their learning in a range of contexts.


Recommended Prior Knowledge

None

Course Objectives

Students will develop a deeper understanding of the decision making processes of the various stakeholders in the tax system and will have the opportunity to apply their learning in a variety of contexts. Students will also be critically examining current best practice in compliance management and reflecting on the appropriateness of various strategies to assess and manage tax risk from the perspectives of both taxpayer and tax administrator.

On successful completion of the course, students will be expected to be able to:
  • Explain the significance of the concept of risk management in taxation and the underlying reasons for its emergence
  • Demonstrate an understanding of taxpayer compliance behaviour based on contemporary research
  • Assess the appropriateness and effectiveness of risk management frameworks and strategies employed by tax administrators
  • Assess the appropriateness and effectiveness of risk-based frameworks and strategies employed by taxpayers to manage compliance with tax laws
  • Formulate informed and appropriate strategies by which the various parties can more effectively manage their respective risks over time taking into account the dynamics of the environment

Main Topics

  • The concept of tax risk management
  • Understanding taxpayer compliance behaviour
  • Enforcement frameworks for tax administrators
  • Risk management strategies for tax administrators
  • Risk management strategies for taxpayers

Assessment

1 research paper
1 exam

Course Texts

Prescribed
There is no prescribed textbook for this course.

The following is a selection of acceptable citation and style guides, which you may use as the basis for your written work. You must purchase or have access to one of the following publications:
  • Rozenberg P, Australian guide to uniform legal citation (Sydney: Lawbook Co, 2nd ed, 2003)
  • Stuhmcke A, Legal referencing (Sydney: Butterworths, 3rd ed, 2005)
  • Australian guide to legal citation (Melbourne University Law Review Association, 2nd ed, 2002) - Available from http://mulr.law.unimelb.edu.au/aglc.asp
Recommended
Refer to Course Profile supplied by Lecturer.

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© The University of New South Wales (CRICOS Provider No.: 00098G), 2004-2011. The information contained in this Handbook is indicative only. While every effort is made to keep this information up-to-date, the University reserves the right to discontinue or vary arrangements, programs and courses at any time without notice and at its discretion. While the University will try to avoid or minimise any inconvenience, changes may also be made to programs, courses and staff after enrolment. The University may also set limits on the number of students in a course.