DCU Home | Our Courses | Loop | Registry | Library | Search DCU
<< Back to Module List

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title Taxation I
Module Code ACC1031 (ITS: AC598)
Faculty DCU Business School School DCU Business School
NFQ level 9 Credit Rating 5
Description

The purpose of this module is to build advanced knowledge of Irish capital tax law and practice to equip students for a career as a professional accountant and/or a tax consultant in practice. The teaching methodology is based on lectures, tutorials and problem based seminars on emerging tax issues. This module will also include revision of issues pertaining to Value Added Tax (VAT). Specifically, students will have an advanced understanding of the principles of capital gains tax, stamp duty and capital acquisition tax and will have honed their computation skills in these areas. The module is delivered via a series of lectures, seminars, tutorials and on line learning.

Learning Outcomes

1. Describe and implement the capital gains tax rules and regulations from the perspective of individuals.
2. Explain the Irish inheritance and gift tax rules from the perspective of an individual
3. Explain Irish Stamp Duty rules
4. Outline and discuss key issues surrounding the legal implications associated with tax avoidance in Ireland
5. Compute capital gains tax, stamp duty and capital acquisition tax
6. Have a detailed understanding of the legislative framework, rules, regulations and practice of capital taxation in Ireland.
7. Outline and discuss all relevant issues pertaining to Value Added Tax (VAT)


WorkloadFull time hours per semester
TypeHoursDescription
Lecture36Class contact
Seminars6Solutions to practical questions
Online activity5Stamp duty
Group work8Case study
Independent Study35Tax Computations
Directed learning35Revision and study
Total Workload: 125
Section Breakdown
CRN10059Part of TermSemester 1
Coursework0%Examination Weight0%
Grade Scale50PASSPass Both ElementsY
Resit CategoryRC1Best MarkN
Module Co-ordinatorThomas McCluskeyModule TeacherMichael Dowling
Assessment Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
Formal ExaminationEnd-of-Semester Final Examination100%End-of-Semester
Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories;
RC1: A resit is available for both* components of the module.
RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module.
RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element.

* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite None
Co-requisite None
Compatibles None
Incompatibles None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Capital Gains Tax: Charge to tax
Statutory interpretation on the scope and scheme of capital gains tax, chargeable persons, definition of disposal, basic computation. Statutory aspects and court precendents on the definition of assets for capital gains tax, computation of gain/loss, inflation index rules, development land, part disposal, enhancement expenditure, time of disposal and location of assets, treatment of losses. CGT for Husband / wife and civil partnerships, connected persons, CGT on death. S811 Anti-avoidance as it applies to CGT and related case law.

Capital Gains Tax: Exemptions and Reliefs
Principal Private Residence; Retirement; transfer of business to company; reinvestment of insurance proceeds; assets with negligible value. Agricultural and Business Relief; Credit of Capital Gains Tax; Foreign Taxes and Double Taxation Relief.

Capital Gains Tax: Shares
Rights issues; bonus and script issues; Amalgamations and Reconstructions; Acquisition of Own Shares; CGT treatment of leases of land and property

Capital Acquisitions Tax: Charge to tax
Scheme and administration of CAT; Territorial Scope; Taxable Value, Valuation Rules, Valuation Date, Computation Rules, Limited Interest, provisions affecting companies; anti- avoidance; gift splitting; the administration of estates, related legal issues and the taxation of inheritances;tax planning opportunities; the Succession Act 1965; disclaimer, treatment of insurance proceeds paying inheritance tax and gift tax.

Capital Acquisitions Tax: Exemptions and Reliefs
Exemptions; Family Businesses including farms; dwelling house; double taxation relief;surviving spouses relief; favourite nephews/nieces.

Capital Acquisitions Tax: Trusts
Dispositions involving a power of appointment; discretionary trusts and discretionary trust tax; general and specific power of appointment; powers of revocations and contingencies.

Stamp Duty
Statutory interpretation on the scope and scheme of stamp duty; the documentary nature of the tax; documents evidencing transactions whether a sale and/or a lease; Market value rule for stamp duty and the stamp duty rate on transactions; exemptions from stamp duty and relief from stamp duty available on the transfer of assets between spouses or civil partners living together; separation, dissolution and divorce; the transfer of loan capital and stamp duty deferral; accountable person the adjudication process; assessments, appeals and refunds; the e-Stamping system.

Value Added Tax
Revision of all pertinent matters relating to Value Added Tax (VAT): General principles and administration, registration; records; payment; deductible and non-deductible VAT; cash receipts basis; group registration; Intra community supplies; imports and exports

Indicative Reading List

Books:
  • Patrick Mulcahy (editor): 2017, Irish Taxation Law and Practice, Latest Edition, All Chapters, The Irish Taxation Institute, Dublin,
  • Chartered Accountants Ireland: 0, CAP2 Taxation (ROI) 2017-18, Latest Edition, All Chapters,
  • Appleby, O'Hanlon, McCleane: 2017, The Taxation of Capital Gains published annually, Latest Edition, All Chapters, Irish Tax Institute, Dublin,
  • Aileen Keoghan: 2017, The Law of Capital Acquisitions Tax published annually, Latest Edition, All Chapters, Irish Tax Institute, Dublin,
  • Power, Scully, Devlin: 2017, The Law and Practice of Irish Stamp Duty published annually, Latest Edition, All Chapters, Irish Tax Institute, Dublin,


Articles:
None
Other Resources

None

<< Back to Module List View 2024/25 Module Record for AC598