On completion of the module the student should be able to:
Describe and apply the basic rules of UK taxation, in particular those relating to Income Tax, Capital Gains Tax, Corporation Tax, Inheritance Tax and Value Added Tax
Evaluate current bases of taxation in terms of their efficiency, equity and cost of compliance
Identify and critically discuss the key issues in taxation at the inter-state level
Critically discuss the possible influences of taxation on the functioning of capital markets
Brief description
The module focuses on four main aspects: (i) the economic characteristics and assessment of effective tax system design; a broad description of the UK tax system; (ii) international considerations including tax co-ordination, competition and the taxation of e-commerce; and (iv) conceptual issues in tax planning and the impact of taxation on capital markets.
Objectives
The module is designed to provide students with an appreciation of the principles underlying the design and impact of a taxation system and the principles underlying the various taxes that comprise the UK taxation system.
Reading Lists
Books ** Should Be Purchased
S. James and C. Nobes (2000) Economics of Taxation
7th edition. Financial Times Prentice Hall. (As the text focuses on tax principles there is no need to buy the latest 2002/03 edition if a cheaper 7th edition is available)
A. Lymer, L. Oats and D. Hancock (2003-04) Taxation: Policy and Practice
10th edition. Accounting Education. (8th and 9th editions by A. Lymer and D. Hancock can be used if allowance is made for subsequent change in tax rates, full details of which will be given in the first lecture).
J E Stiglitz (20003) Economics of the Public Sector
W W Norton & Company
** Recommended Consultation
Edited by Andrew Lymer and John Hasseldine (2002) The International Taxation System
Hoston: Kluwer Academic Publishers
M S Scholes, M A Wolfson, M Erickson, E L Maydew and T Shevlin (2002) Taxes and Business Strategy: A Planning Approach
2nd edition.
Edited by Michael P Devereux (1996) The Economics of Tax Policy
Oxford University Press
In addition to the above texts students are required to read a number of journal articles. A full reading list and module outline is available via Blackboard (http://alto.aber.ac.uk/) and will be distributed in the first lecture.