Taxation, Governance and the Wider Environment

Singapore University of Social Sciences

Taxation, Governance and the Wider Environment (TAX529)

Synopsis

TAX529 Taxation, Governance and the Wider Environment challenges the student to look at taxation beyond the corporate tax return. In Part I, students examine the interplay between the financial reporting and taxation, in particular the tensions arising from the fundamental principles underlying the Financial Reporting Standards in particular the need to report the current position of the entity, and the need for certainty, as espoused in revenue law. In Part II, students will explore how taxation could affect the minds of the Board of Directors, and the tension between taxation, especially tax planning, and the principles underpinning Corporate Governance.

Level: 5
Credit Units: 5
Presentation Pattern: EVERY JAN

Topics

Profits
Changing Landscapes
The Challenge of Disclosure
New Rules
The Earnings Figure and the Role in the Market
The Tax Figure in Financial Reporting
Effective Tax Management or Profits Management?
Corporate Governance

Learning Outcome

Compare and contrast the fundamental principles behind profits under financial reporting standards and taxable profits
Assess the tax implications of financial reporting standards, specifically to identify any necessary tax adjustments, tax-sensitive accounting disclosures, or both
Formulate a strategy to ameliorate difficult situations arising from unhelpful tax disclosures required by financial reporting standards
Critique the role of the Board in relation to taxation, identifying the conflict between the duties of governance, and the drive for profits management
Compose a strategy to assist the Board in making a decision in light of their duties of Corporate Governance.
Assemble paper or web resources to conduct research
Examine and analyse legal materials which are written in technical or complex language
Compose and present data provided in numerical or statistical form
Discuss through different forms of communication, such as verbal, written and formal presentations, presenting knowledge or an argument in a way which is comprehensible to others