BUU33720 Taxation 1 2025/26

(5 ECTS)

Lecturer:

Ciara Deane

Email: deaneci@tcd.ie 
Office Hours: By appointment

Pre-Requisite: 

BUU22530 - Introduction to Accounting

BUU33720 is not available to exchange Students

Module Description:

The aim of this module is to provide students with a working understanding of the Irish tax system, the ability to prepare detailed income tax computations, an appreciation of local property tax and understanding of the value added tax (VAT) system in Ireland. The module will include topics relating to (i) the Irish tax system and the influence of EU law, (ii) residence and domicile for personal tax purposes, (iii) calculation of income tax liabilities including the difference between accounting income and taxable income, (iv) Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI) and Universal Social Charge (USC), (v) the basic principles of VAT, (vi) Local Property Tax (LPT)/Vacant Home Tax and (vii) the obligations of taxpayers. In addition, the module aims to provide students with the skills to analyse and critique tax policies.

Learning and Teaching Approach:

The lectures/tutorials will focus on explaining the core technical and theoretical issues including examples of the practical application of these core concepts. It is an essential aspect of this module that students understand both the technical rules and how they are applied in practical scenarios including the ability to compute a range of tax liabilities and advise on tax filing and payment obligations. A focus on developing professional skills and competencies will also be included throughout the module. Students will have the opportunity to ask questions and clarify any aspect of the material or practical examples. It is important that students actively engage with the material and come to lectures prepared. The required readings from the core textbook should be completed in advance of the lectures as this will enhance the learning experience. Questions are assigned and it is expected that students will attempt these questions in their own time. This practical application is an essential aspect of this module. In addition, the lecturer will assist in the overall development of the student’s understanding of the tax system and tax policy design.

Learning Outcomes:

Having successfully completed this module, the student should be able to: 

1. Understand the role of tax in society, the formulation of tax policy and the ability to analyse and critique tax policies and their implementation
2. Understand the Irish income tax, PRSI and USC system, including rules for determining residence and domicile and their impact on the charge to income tax, the various categories of income and tax credits and reliefs available to individuals
3. Prepare basic income tax computations which includes a knowledge of the tax treatment of married persons under joint assessment
4. Ability to calculate the taxable income for a sole trade which includes an understanding the differences between accounting revenues/costs and taxable income/deductible expenses
5. Possess a systematic understanding of the various regulations relating to VAT/LPT and Vacant Homes Tax.

 

Relation to Degree: 

This module supports the learning outcomes relevant to business students in general. It is also a pre-requisite module (in conjunction with Taxation 2 BUU33730) in attaining a professional accounting qualification. Note it is each students responsibility to confirm this with the relevant accounting bodies.

Specifically the module provides a set of skills which enables students to: 

• Appreciate the Irish tax system and the influence of EU law on the Irish tax system
• Analyse and critique tax policies
• Understand and apply the tax legislation to individual tax payers and businesses

Workload:

Content	Indicative Number of Hours
Lecturing hours	22
Tutorials	9
Preparation for lectures	22
Group assignment	20
Reading of assigned materials and active reflection on lecture and course content and linkage to personal experiences	25
Final exam preparation	32
Total	130

Recommended Texts/ Key Reading:

Irish Tax Law and Practice, 2025/2026, Irish Tax Institute, 23rd Edition

General Supplemental Readings

CA Proficiency 1 Taxation 1 (ROI) 2025 – 2026 Chartered Accountants Ireland;

From Boraimhe to Bit – the Art of Taxation (1st Edition), Moire O’Halloran, Irish Tax Institute;

Taxation: Policy and Practice, Andy Lymer and Lynne Oats, Fiscal Publications;

Additional reading material will be posted on the course intranet throughout the semester.

Student preparation for the module:

Lecture material will be available on Blackboard prior to each lecture. Students are expected to review all relevant material in advance of class. In this way students can maximise their contact hours, allowing additional critical notes to be taken. It is anticipated that this should allow the student to actively participate in lectures. Students are encouraged to research and read additional materials on each topic in their own private study time.

Students are expected to actively engage with the tutorial material and should attempt the assigned questions for in advance of each tutorial.

Attendance/participation at both lectures and tutorials is strongly recommended due to the intensive course schedule.

Course Communication:

Please note that all course related email communication must be sent from your official TCD email address. Emails sent from other addresses will not be attended to.

Students are responsible for checking Blackboard and their College email regularly to ensure they are informed of any administrative information changes and any other matters relating to the module.

Assessment and Examination:

1. Group Assignment [20%]:

A group assignment will account for the 20% continuous assessment portion of this module. This involves preparation of an entry for the annual Irish Tax Institute Fantasy Budget competition for third level students.

This assignment relates to tax policy and tax system design. In groups of 3 or 4 students, three tax policies contained in the Budget must be chosen and critically analysed from both an economic and social perspective. One measure should impact on (i) individuals/families, a second should impact on (ii) indigenous Irish business and a third should impact on (iii) foreign investment into Ireland. In addition, the group is required to suggest one measure that it thinks should have been introduced by the Minister for Finance in the Budget and explain the benefit of the proposal. The assignment should be presented in a report format, with a clear introduction and conclusion and a list of references.

The assignment is not to exceed 2,000 words (including appendices, but excluding reference list).

The assignment must be submitted by TBC. Hard copy submission is required in addition to upload to blackboard. Hard copy to be handed to lecturer during class on TBC.

2. Examination [80%]:
This will test critical understanding and appropriate application of topics covered in the module. Date: TBC. This is a two hour in person exam.

RE ASSESSMENT

Re-assessment involves retaking a 100% in person exam

 

Biographical Note:

Ciara Deane FCA, CTA AITI is a Teaching Fellow in Accounting at Trinity College Business School. Ciara is a Deloitte trained with significant taxation experience and has over 20 years’ experience as a professional taxation and accountancy lecturer with Universities, Colleges and Professional Bodies including Chartered Accountants Ireland, Irish Taxation Institute, Accounting Technicians Ireland, Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin, Smurfit Business School and National College of Ireland.