The Economics of Taxation

Topics include review of the economic framework for analysing decision making; background to the Australian and other relevant taxation systems; issues and controversies in relation to the tax system and taxpayer decisions; objectives of tax collectors and taxpayers; why taxes exist; options and issues concerning tax bases: income, company profits, expenditures, wealth; the economic impact of taxes on work effort, prices, consumption and saving, investment and financial decisions, corporate investment and corporate financing, welfare, the international location of profits, tax avoidance and evasion; economic analysis of taxpayer decisions concerning legal entities, filing procedures, objections and reviews, negotiation strategies; and policy decisions concerning the tax mix, rate structures and administrative options, legal processes.

• 1Explain and evaluate the selection and effects of taxation systems
• 2Identify and classify patterns in taxation systems
• 3Apply economic theory to relevant social questions
• 4Apply and develop existing economic theories
• 5Evaluate alternative taxation reform proposals