Course Title: Prepare tax documentation for individuals

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2019

Course Code: ACCT5425C

Course Title: Prepare tax documentation for individuals

School: 650T Vocational Business Education

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5390 - Diploma of Accounting

Course Contact: Doug Gourlay

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 5944

Course Contact Email: doug.gourlay@rmit.edu.au

Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Bruce Phillips  EXT 55735 Room 80.5.30
  bruce.phillips@rmit.edu.au

Plus sessional teacher

Nominal Hours: 80

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

None

Course Description

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to prepare non-complex income tax returns for individuals in line with statutory requirements. It encompasses gathering and verifying data, calculating taxable income, and reviewing compliance requirements.

It applies to individuals who use systematic approaches and follow specific guidelines to ensure compliance requirements are met.

Work functions in the occupational areas where this unit may be used are subject to regulatory requirements. This unit is designed to meet the education requirements of the Tax Practitioner Board (TPB). Refer to the FNS Financial Services Training Package Companion Volume Implementation Guide or the relevant regulator for specific guidance on regulatory requirements.

National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:	FNSACC512 Prepare tax documentation for individuals
Element:	1. Gather client income data and verify client, organisational and legislative requirements
Performance Criteria:	1.1 Client taxation preparation requirements are determined 1.2 Current data on assessable income and allowable deductions are gathered from appropriate sources 1.3 Valuations are made, recorded and disclosed in accordance with business policies and procedures and legislation 1.4 Discrepancies, unusual features or queries are identified, resolved or referred to the appropriate authority 1.5 Accrued or prepaid income and expenditure is identified and adjustments to the value of assets and liabilities are recorded 1.6 Records and compliance requirements are identified and adhered to
Element:	2. Identify, record and present client's non-complex income tax documentation
Performance Criteria:	2.1 Liabilities for tax are calculated in accordance with current legislation and revenue gathering practices 2.2 Relevant source documentation and revenue documentation is identified and correctly interpreted 2.3 Tax returns, statements and claims take full advantage of available benefits and allowances in accordance with legislation, regulation and ATO rulings 2.4 Returns are prepared within established timelines 2.5 Advice and guidance is sought to evaluate and moderate decision processes 2.6 Returns are discussed and agreed with clients and statutory requirements are confirmed
Element:	3. Manage lodgement of client's non-complex income tax documentation
Performance Criteria:	3.1 Relevant returns are submitted to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) within stated deadlines and in accordance with legislation 3.2 Current obligations are fulfilled and advice from taxation authorities followed and reported in accordance with statutory requirements 3.3 Statements give a clear indication of impact of taxation on the client 3.4 Tax office enquiries are responded to and income tax audit requirements met

Learning Outcomes

Details of Learning Activities

A range of learning activities are planned for this course including self-paced and collaborative classroom based activities.

The self-paced activities will be delivered throughout various technology platforms and include your contribution to exercises and interactive sessions.

The collaborative classroom based activities will include group discussion, group problem solving activities and opportunities to practice your skills in a simulated/real workplace environment.
We expect you to participate and contribute in all scheduled learning activities.
 

Teaching Schedule

Induction Session

Prior to training commencement a program level induction session will be conducted that comprises the following:

• Program overview and requirements
• MyRMIT/Blackboard
• Overview of assessment requirements
• Pre-Training Review including:
• Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfers
• Assessment of current skills and knowledge
• Competency Criteria
• Plagiarism
• Appeals
• Extensions
• Feedback
• Privacy
• Submission requirements
• Resubmission policy
• Where to get support
• Student responsibilities
•  

 

The Teaching Schedule for this course is as follows but please note that it is subject to change.
The mid semester break is from 2 Sept to 8 Sept. Classes resume on 9 Sept 2019.

Week	Week Commencing	Topics	Assessment
1	8/7/19	Introduction. Liability to income tax.
2	15/7	Assessable & exempt income	Assign. 1 out
3	22/7	Income from property (dividend imputation system)
4	29/7	Capital Gains
5	5/8	Lump sums on termination (accrued leave arrangements)
6	12/8	Revision
7	19/8	Test	Test 1
8	26/8	Deductions generally, substantiation, car expenses
		Mid Semester Break
9	9/9	Exercises on car expenses; Practice firm can start as early as this week;
10	16/9	Deductions: specific deductions (self education, clothing etc)
11	23/9	Decline in value part 1
12	30/9	Decline in value part 2	Assign. in
13	7/10	Practice firm; Decline in value exercises
14	14/10	Practice firm; Test 2	Test 2
15	21/10	Practice firm
16	28/10	Resits, resubmissions, feedback

The nominal hours associated with this are a guide only and represent the total teaching time and student effort required to successfully complete the course. This may include not only scheduled classes bit also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

Prepare Tax Documentation for Individuals   Baker, Cliff, & Deaner 16th edition Learn Now Publications

9781876124540

References

Solutions to textbook provided on line

Other Resources

Notes produced by the coordinator and stored on Canvas

Overview of Assessment

Performance Evidence

Evidence of the ability to:

• research, critically evaluate, and apply new or changed legislative requirements relating to the preparation of client non-complex income tax documentation
• identify client data required to calculate taxable income
• prepare client tax documentation that complies with:

• Australian taxation law and Australian Taxation Office (ATO) rulings
• accounting principles and practices
• organisational policies and procedures

• provide advice to client on tax documentation presented and obtain verification and approval.

 

Note: If a specific volume or frequency is not stated, then evidence must be provided at least once.

 

Knowledge Evidence

The candidate must be able to demonstrate the following knowledge to effectively complete the tasks outlined in the elements and performance criteria of this unit, and to manage tasks and reasonably foreseeable contingencies in the context of the work role.

• Ethical considerations and legislative requirements required to prepare non-complex income tax documentation for individual taxpayers, including:

• conflict of interest
• responsibilities of tax agents, including code of professional conduct obligations under the Tax Agent Services Act (TASA) and Tax Agent Services Regulations (TASR)

• Key elements of Australian tax law as they relate to income tax documentation for individual taxpayers, including:

• rules and principles of Australian tax law, and the legal environment in which these principles operate
• basics of the legal system, constitutional considerations, and separation of powers that relate to preparing non-complex income tax documentation
• key aspects of the income tax law covering concepts of:

• residence and source
• related elements of international tax
• assessable income
• deductions, including general, specific, and decline in value
• tax rebates and offsets
• tax accounting
• income test definitions that include reportable superannuation and fringe benefits tax (FBT)

• key aspects of principles and application of capital gains tax (CGT), FBT and employment termination payment (ETP) rules for individual taxpayers
• basic concept of goods and services tax (GST)
• administrative aspects of the taxes identified above, including documentation, tax collection and withholding mechanisms, assessments, obligations, rulings, penalties and audits
• specific and general anti-avoidance tax rules for individuals

• Key sources of information and data required to calculate taxable income
• Key features of organisational policies and procedures required to prepare non-complex income tax documentation for individual taxpayers
• Key accounting principles and practices required to prepare non-complex income tax documentation for individual taxpayers

 

Assessment Conditions

Assessment must be conducted in a safe environment where evidence gathered demonstrates consistent performance of typical activities experienced in the accounting field of work and include access to:

• office equipment, technology, software and consumables required to prepare non-complex income tax documentation for individuals, including:

• access to the internet
• digital systems and programs for preparing and lodging tax returns.

 

Assessors of this unit must satisfy the assessor requirements in applicable vocational education and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards.

 

This unit is designed to meet the education requirements of the Tax Practitioner Board (TPB). Where registration with the TPB is sought, assessment must reflect the conditions described by the regulator which stipulate that a significant amount (at least 40%) must be completed under some form of independent supervision. Where recognition of prior learning (RPL) is used, it must also meet the requirements of the Board s policy on RPL.

 

Details of requirements can be accessed on the TPB website at: http://www.tpb.gov.au.

 

You are advised that you are likely to be asked to personally demonstrate your assessment work to your teacher to ensure that the relevant competency standards are being met.

Feedback

Feedback will be provided throughout the semester in class and/or online discussions.  You are encouraged to ask and answer questions during class time and online sessions so that you can obtain feedback on your understanding of the concepts and issues being discussed. Finally, you can email or arrange an appointment with your teacher to gain more feedback on your progress.

You should take note of all feedback received and use this information to improve your learning outcomes and final performance in the course. 

 

Assessment Tasks

Overview of Assessment

The assessments for this course have been designed to allow participants to apply their learning to particular simulated work scenarios and demonstrate their competence in a variety of ways.

TASK 1 (Due Date: End of  Week 7 )

Test 1 is a closed book test, written and paper based, covering topics that are covered during weeks 1 to 5 that is on assessable income. The students will be provided with the tax rates sheet, and are expected to bring along a calculator. It is for competency based only.

 

TASK 2 (Due Date: End of week 12)

You are required to prepare a written income tax return addressing both the client’s needs and the statutory requirements.There will be preparation of estimates of taxable income and tax payable, including a letter to the client of relevant advice.
This is a written assignment that is to be done using Tax Office forms, and must comply with legislation and regulations. There is also an element of research involved in this assignment. You must successfully complete all assessment tasks to achieve competency. 

TASK 3 (Due date: End of week 14)

Test 2 is also a closed book test, written and paper based, covering topics that are covered weeks 8 to 13, being on deductions , depreciation and offsets. The students will be provided with the flowchart of depreciation rules and cut-offs, and are expected to bring along a calculator. It is for competency only.

The Teacher or Course Coordinator may request anytime to ask students to demonstrate and/or reproduce assessments to validate authenticity. 

 

AND

 

Students must satisfactorily complete all assessment tasks in order to obtain competency in this course.

Assessment Matrix

The assessment matrix that maps all the assessment is available on CANVAS.

 

Other Information

 

Submission Requirements

You should:

• Ensure that you submit assessments on or before the due date.
• Always retain a copy of your assessment tasks. (hard copy and soft copy)
• When you submit work for assessment at RMIT University you need to use a cover sheet that includes a declaration and statement of authorship. You must complete, sign and submit a cover sheet with all work you submit for assessment, whether individual or group work. On the cover sheet you declare that the work you are presenting for assessment is your own work. An assignment cover sheet for submission of each assessment task is available on blackboard.
• Each page of your assessment should include footer with your name, student number, the title of the assessment, unit code and title and page numbers. For example, Doug Gourlay, 324567, Task 2, OHS2345C Ensure safe workplace, Page 1 of 10.

Late Submission Procedures

You are required to submit assessment items and/or ensure performance based assessment is completed by the due dates.

If you are prevented from submitting an assessment item on time, by circumstances outside your control, you may apply in advance to your teacher for an extension to the due date of up to seven calendar days. <check links are still current>

More Information: http://www.rmit.edu.au/students/assessment/extension

Form to use: http://mams.rmit.edu.au/seca86tti4g4z.pdf

Where an extension of greater than seven days is needed, you must apply for special consideration. Applications for special consideration must be submitted no later than two working days after the assessment task deadline or scheduled examination. <check links are still current>
 

More Information: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=g43abm17hc9w

Form to use: http://mams.rmit.edu.au/8a5dgcaqvaes1.pdf

Resubmissions (VET Programs):

If you are found to be unsuccessful in a particular Course Assessment Task (or you do not submit/attend) you will be allowed one resubmission . Your teacher will provide feedback regarding what you need to do to improve and will set a new deadline for the resubmission.

If you are still not meeting the assessment requirements you must apply to your Program Manager in writing outlining the steps you will take to demonstrate competence in your course. Your submission will be considered by the Program Team and you will be advised of the outcome as soon as possible.

Grading & re-submissions

Re-submissions do not contribute to your overall grade for the course.

Adjustments to Assessment

In certain circumstances students may be eligible for an assessment adjustment. For more information about the circumstances under which the assessment arrangements might be granted please access the following website: <check link is still current>
More Information: http://rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=7usdbki1fjf31

Marking Guide (Competency):

You must demonstrate that you have all the required skills/knowledge/elements in the unit of competency you are studying.

You will receive feedback on each assessment task that will inform you about your progress and how well you are performing.

 

Course Overview: Access Course Overview