Written Answer to Problem (25%)
Every student will be allocated a problem(s) from the list of problems (set out in the Tutorial Program) that will be discussed in classes throughout the semester. You will be required to write an answer to the problem in no more than 1,700 words. You will also be expected to make a contribution to the discussion of the problem in class. You will be required to email your answer to Dale Boccabella by 9.00 am on the day of the relevant class. In fairness to other students, you must meet the submission deadline, and you must attend the class on the day that your problem(s) is discussed. Further details regarding this assessment task will be provided in the first class.
This aspect of the assessment is designed so that you can develop your skills in order to achieve a number of the learning outcomes for this course, including locating relevant tax rules and critically applying the tax rules to a typical tax-related entity problem.
The suggested formats in which you provide your written answer to the problem are posted under the Assignment section on Moodle in the form of suggested solutions to previous semester assignments. In addition, the document, Dale Boccabella, Approach to Solving Problems in Taxation Law and Student Companion, 2018, provides substantial guidance in researching, planning and writing your answer to the problem. Indeed, Dale Boccabella will be providing an audio class solely dedicated to this document (Approach to Solving Problems in Taxation Law and Student Companion, 2018) in Week 2 or Week 3 of semester. You will be advised in Week 1 of the time of this audio class.
The word limit will be strictly applied. Words in excess of the word limit will not be marked (i.e. waste). A major purpose of placing a word limit on the written answer is to help you develop the skill of applying the tax rules to a set of facts in an organised and efficient manner. Words such as case names, Acts of parliament, section references, footnotes will not count as words. Please use footnotes and not endnotes as this is more reader friendly.
The overriding guiding principles in allocating a mark to your problem answer is whether you have correctly identified the relevant area of law, have you correctly applied the relevant law to the facts and have you reached a conclusion supported by reasons that links the tax law to the facts. Examples of solutions to previous semester assignments that reflect the guiding principles are set out under the Assignment section on Moodle. In addition, the document, Dale Boccabella, Approach to Solving Problems in Taxation Law and Student Companion, 2018, provides substantial guidance on these matters.
It is expected that the presentation of your problem answer will be of a high quality and professional. Under the Assignment icon/link on Moodle, you will see an example of very good presentation, and an example of very poor presentation. You are strongly advised to familiarise yourself with presentation issues for written work. The document, Dale Boccabella, Approach to Solving Problems in Taxation Law and Student Companion, 2018, also contains considerable guidance on presentation issues.
For the sake of fairness to all students, late problem answers will not be accepted. That is, if you attempt to hand in a problem answer late, you will receive 0/25 for this part of the assessment. This effectively means you have failed the course, as one of the requirements for passing this course is that you must perform satisfactorily in every part of the assessment. 0/25 is not satisfactory performance. If you submit your problem answer late, you will not be allocated another problem, as this also would be unfair to other students.
It is only in the most exceptional circumstances that the lecturer-in-charge may contemplate the allocation of another problem. It is not envisaged that any student would have exceptional circumstances. The reason is that you will have known well in advance about the due date for your problem answer.
Discussion Only Problem (10%)
Every student will also be allocated a problem(s) from the list of problems (set out in the Tutorial Program) that will be discussed in tutorial classes throughout the semester. You are not required to provide a written answer to the problem allocated. However, you are expected to provide significant input into the discussion of the problem(s) in class. This is the basis for the mark allocated to you for this task.
This aspect of the assessment is designed so that you can develop your skills in order to achieve a number of the learning outcomes for this course, including locating relevant tax rules and critically applying the tax rules to a typical tax-related entity problem.
Further details regarding this assessment task will be provided in the first class.
Assignment (30%)
Everything said above about the Written Answer to Problem aspect of the assessment can be incorporated here.
The assignment will be issued to you in Week 3 or Week 4.
Final Examination (35%)
The examination will be a take home exam. It will be issued to you at the end of the semester in the normal university examination period. As per previous years, I am hoping to allow you 5-6 days to complete the exam. Further details about the final examination will be given in the first lecture, as well as later on in the course.