The course provides students with a comparative overview of the tax systems of various countries, with a view to developing a conceptual and practical understanding of the reasons why tax systems differ (and why they are sometimes so similar). The objectives of the course are to help students understand the characteristics that tax systems have in common, the areas in which tax systems differ, and the factors (legal, institutional, political, economic, social and cultural) that cause the similarities and differences.

The course covers areas such as tax structures, tax at different government levels, different types of tax (including income taxes, consumption taxes, capital & wealth taxes, and environmental taxes), tax operating costs, tax administration and tax policy making and reform.