Students

ACCG3020 – Tax in Practice

2025 – Session 1, Online-scheduled-In person assessment, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Daisy Chen
hua.chen@mq.edu.au
Moderator
James Hazelton
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
(20cp at 2000 level or above including ACCG2051) or 30cp in LAW units at 2000 level
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit introduces students to the tax framework operating in Australia. It looks at the regulatory environment and the impact of the conceptual framework on key areas of taxation including income tax; goods and services tax; and fringe benefits tax. After completing this unit, students will be able to recognise, describe and analyse taxation issues and apply tax concepts to problems encountered in a contemporary setting. 

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: Identify tax issues and apply the provisions of relevant tax legislation to real-life situations 
  • ULO2: Develop a suitable set of tax management strategies for a variety of taxpayers including international tax transactions
  • ULO3: Present, evaluate and use numerical and statistical information related to taxation including the use of accounting software
  • ULO4: Apply research skills to source and interrogate tax law materials and interpret complex legal information 
  • ULO5: Produce professionally written tax advice which presents a clear and well supported justification of guidance given

General Assessment Information

Late Assessment Submission Penalty (written assessments) 

 Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a grade of ‘0’ will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical concern.  

For any late submissions of time-sensitive tasks, such as scheduled tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, and/or scheduled practical assessments/labs, students need to apply for Special Consideration

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Professional practice: Australian tax framework 30% No Throughout
Skills development: Analysis and application of taxation principles 30% No Week 12
Formal and observed learning: Test 40% No Week 13

Professional practice: Australian tax framework

Assessment Type 1: Practice-based task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Throughout
Weighting: 30%

 

The purpose of this assessment is for you to build your expertise in Australian tax legislation and tax management strategies.

You will analyse and evaluate real-world scenarios.

Skills in focus: - Analytical skills - Communication skills - Critical thinking

Deliverable: Presentation and reflection Individual assessment

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify tax issues and apply the provisions of relevant tax legislation to real-life situations 
  • Develop a suitable set of tax management strategies for a variety of taxpayers including international tax transactions
  • Present, evaluate and use numerical and statistical information related to taxation including the use of accounting software
  • Apply research skills to source and interrogate tax law materials and interpret complex legal information 
  • Produce professionally written tax advice which presents a clear and well supported justification of guidance given

Skills development: Analysis and application of taxation principles

Assessment Type 1: Case study/analysis
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: Week 12
Weighting: 30%

 

The purpose of this assessment is for you to hone your skills in identifying, analysing and applying taxation principles to real-world scenarios.

You will collaborate with a team on a case to identify the main tax issue(s), provide a comprehensive analysis of the issues, and apply relevant taxation laws to arrive at a well-supported conclusion in the form of professional advice.

Skills in focus: - Discipline Knowledge - Digital skills - Communication skills

Deliverable: Written Submission Group assessment

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify tax issues and apply the provisions of relevant tax legislation to real-life situations 
  • Develop a suitable set of tax management strategies for a variety of taxpayers including international tax transactions
  • Present, evaluate and use numerical and statistical information related to taxation including the use of accounting software
  • Apply research skills to source and interrogate tax law materials and interpret complex legal information 
  • Produce professionally written tax advice which presents a clear and well supported justification of guidance given

Formal and observed learning: Test

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 40%

 

The purpose of this assessment is for you to demonstrate your understanding and knowledge of key topics from the unit.

You will participate in a formal test.

Deliverable: Test Individual assessment

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify tax issues and apply the provisions of relevant tax legislation to real-life situations 
  • Develop a suitable set of tax management strategies for a variety of taxpayers including international tax transactions
  • Present, evaluate and use numerical and statistical information related to taxation including the use of accounting software
  • Apply research skills to source and interrogate tax law materials and interpret complex legal information 

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

Refer to iLearn for details of delivery. 

Unit Schedule

Week

Lecture

Presentation

Assessment Due

01

Lecture 1 

The Australian taxation system and tax formula

No presentations

 

02

Lecture 2 

Residence and source

General principles of income

Income from personal services and employment 

 

Questions relating to Lecture One

 

03

Lecture 3 

Income from business

Income from property

Principles of compensation

 

Questions relating to Lecture Two 

04

Lecture 4 

Capital gain tax

Questions relating to Lecture Three

 

05

Lecture 5 

Tax accounting

General deductions 

Questions relating to Lecture Four

 

06

Lecture 6

Specific deductions 

Trading stock 

 

 

Questions relating to Lecture Five

 

 

 

 
07

Lecture 7

Capital allowances 

 Questions relating to Lecture Six 

 
       

08

Lecture 8 

Partners and partnership

Trust and beneficiaries

Taxation of superannuation 

 

Questions relating to Lecture Seven

 

 

 

 

09

Lecture 9

Companies and shareholders 

Offsets

Questions relating to Lecture Eight

 

 

 

10

Lecture 10 

Fringe benefits tax 

Questions relating to Lecture Nine

 

11

Lecture 11

Goods and services tax 

 

Questions relating to Lecture Ten

 

12

Lecture 12

 

Tax administration

 

 

Questions relating to Lecture Eleven

Group assignment

13

Lecture 13                               

Tax avoidance and evasion 

 

No presentations

 

 

Test

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Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Academic Success

Academic Success provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/. 

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Unit information based on version 2025.04 of the Handbook