Tax Technician Student Handbook 2022 - Print
Tax Technician Student Handbook 2022 - Print
Tax Technician Student Handbook 2022 - Print
Become an
Expert in Tax
Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA)
Learn the
Fundamentals
of Tax Tax Technician
Our flexible modular structure ensures that you can complete the
qualification at a pace that suits you, completing the course and
examinations over a period of one to four years.
I would like to wish you every success in your studies in the year ahead.
Kind regards
Yours sincerely
Martina O’Brien
Director of Educational Strategy
The Irish Tax Institute is the leading representative and educational body for
Ireland’s Chartered Tax Advisers (CTA) and is the country’s only professional
body exclusively dedicated to tax.
The Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) qualification is the gold standard in tax
and the international mark of excellence in tax advice. We benchmark our
education programme against the very best in the world. The continued
development of our syllabus, delivery model and assessment methods ensure
that our CTAs have the skills and knowledge they need to meet the ever-
changing needs of their workplaces.
Our membership of over 5,000 is part of the international CTA network which
has more than 32,000 members. It includes the Chartered Institute of Taxation
UK, The Tax Institute (Australia), the Taxation Institute of Hong Kong and the
South African Institute of Taxation. The Institute is also a member of the CFE
Tax Advisers Europe (CFE), the European umbrella body for tax professionals.
The Institute is, first and foremost, an educational body but since its foundation
in 1967, it has played an active role in the development of tax administration
and tax policy in Ireland. We are deeply committed to playing our part in
building an efficient and innovative tax system that serves a successful
economy and a fair society. We are also committed to the future of the tax
profession, our members and our role in serving the best interests of Ireland’s
taxpayers in a new international world order.
Section Page
Number
Entry Requirements 8
Key Dates 9
Student Services 11
How to Register 12
Fees 13
Examination Syllabus 15
Complaints Policy 35
• The framework of the income tax system • Tax relief available for pension contributions
• How various sources of income are taxed • How to calculate an individual’s annual
• How residence and domicile can impact an income tax liability, including PRSI and USC
individual’s income tax liability • The self-assessment system including
• How profits from a sole trade / profession income tax filing obligations
are taxed including deductible business • The interest/penalty regime
expenses and relief for capital expenditure • How the PAYE collection system operates
• The treatment of losses for tax purposes and the appropriate forms that need to be
• How investment income is taxed including filed
income from property and other asset types • Revenue powers and Revenue audits
• Employment taxes including the treatment
of expenses, benefits-in-kind and
termination payments
• How residence and domicile impacts the • The calculation of an individual’s CGT and
charge to CGT and CAT CAT liability with specific emphasis on
• The transactions and events that incur claiming reliefs and exemptions
a charge to CGT and CAT including • The charge to stamp duty on various
transactions involving property, shares, land, transactions, and any reliefs and exemptions
and a business that can be claimed
• How married couples, civil partners and • The self-assessment system for capital taxes
cohabitants are treated for CGT and CAT including filing returns and filing deadlines
purposes including specific life events such
as separation and divorce
• The fundamental company law issues • Tax relief that is available for losses and
pertaining to companies, including the trade charges
formation of a company and the role of • Specific provisions applying to particular
directors types of corporates including groups and
• The impact of tax residency on a company’s close companies
tax liability • The self-assessment system including
• How different sources of company income corporation tax filing obligations
are taxed, including trading income,
investment income, foreign income and
chargeable gains
VAT Fundamentals
This module provides an overview of the VAT system for domestic and cross-border transactions.
• The framework of the Irish VAT system and • The charge to VAT on various property
the European dimension transactions
• The rates of VAT and deductible/ • The VAT implications on the transfer of a
non-deductible VAT business
• How VAT applies on the supply of goods • The administration system including filing
and services obligations and record keeping
• How the reverse charge mechanism and self-
accounting for VAT applies
• How VAT should be applied on the supply of
goods and services outside of Ireland
Applications should be submitted to Shane O’Brien, Senior Tax Manager - Education Delivery, by email
at sobrien@taxinstitute.ie with supporting documentation as appropriate.
All decisions to accept an applicant based on the recognition of prior learning are at the discretion of the
Irish Tax Institute. An applicant may lodge an appeal in accordance with Regulation 11.1.
Examinations
Examinations will take place in April 2023 and again in August 2023. The exams will be held online.
Course Materials
Course materials are provided as follows:
• A dedicated manual prepared for each module
• Past papers for each module
• Taxation Summary
On first registering students will be issued with a student number and password to log into Blackboard.
Students are asked to ensure that their personal details are correct, including their email address, as
they may periodically receive emails containing important information. If there is a change, students
should update their profile online via their secure login.
In case of emergencies, such as the last‑minute timetable changes, the Irish Tax Institute may, where
possible, send an SMS text message to students.
Feedback
To facilitate our ongoing commitment to quality and excellence, the Irish Tax Institute will periodically
canvas for feedback via online surveys and focus groups. We welcome feedback as it is vital to ensure
the ongoing development of our professional education programmes.
If students have a query or would like to discuss any aspect of the Tax Technician programme, please do
not hesitate to contact any member of the Education Team. We are here to help, and look forward to
meeting you over the coming academic year.
• Read this booklet in detail prior to registration and review the rules and regulations contained
within
• Fill in your personal details
• Fill in your qualification history and provide an official Level 5 transcript as proof of eligibility to
register for the Tax Technician qualification
• Apply for the Tax Technician course (or modules thereof)
• Provide a day‑time address and contact number for delivery of course materials
• Indicate which exams and examination sitting you intend to present for (April 2023 or August
2023). If you decide to change your selected examination sitting after your registration has been
confirmed for the end-of-course examination a €100 charge is payable.
• Check all details are correct before submitting your registration
• Pay fees by credit card, EFT, or direct debit mandate.
Fees
All modules:
Course Fee €1,630
Exam Fee €275
Cost per module
Course Fee €570
Exam Fee €80
Subscription €140
* Outside Republic of Ireland, costs may vary, contact us for cost details.
Repeat students
All student members are required to pay their student subscription of €140 annually. The student
subscription year runs from 1 October to 30 September. Student subscriptions are due on 1 October
2022. Failure to pay the student subscription, or any other outstanding course or exam fee, within two
months of the due date, may result in student membership being cancelled.
The cost to repeat an examination is €80 per subject. Students who wish to repeat a course are entitled
to a discount on course fees. Students who do not wish to repeat the course are advised to purchase
up-to-date manuals. Please see Blackboard for more details.
Please refer to the assessment regulations regarding the timeline that must be adhered to when
registering for exams.
Individual certification
Where a student does not wish to complete all four modules of the Tax Technician qualification, they
can apply to receive a transcript to confirm the modules that they have successfully completed. This
applies to examinations from 2016 onwards only.
An annual subscription, currently €180, is payable by Tax Technician Members. This subscription is
payable upon first admission and subsequently on 1 April in respect of each year in accordance with the
subscription rate for the year.
• Develop a solid understanding of the practical operation of the Irish tax system and tax rules.
• Be able to evaluate and interpret information to identify the tax charges that arise for individuals and
companies on foot of key financial and commercial events.
• Calculate income tax, corporation tax, capital gains tax and capital acquisitions tax, VAT and payroll
tax liabilities with particular emphasis on claiming any relevant reliefs and exemptions.
• Understand the tax administration requirements for individuals and companies including completion
of tax returns.
Assessment Strategy
Each module is assessed by way of exam.
3. Business profits
• Identify if a sole trader is carrying on business as a trade (Case I) or a profession (Case II)
• Outline the basis of assessment for trading and professional income
• Identify whether or not business expenses are deductible for income tax purposes
• Describe relief available for business losses incurred by a sole trader
• Calculate the taxable business profits of a sole trader
5. Rental income
• Identify how rental income is taxed
• Identify whether or not expenses are deductible against rental income
7. Employment income
• Identify what employment income is taxable under Schedule E
• Summarise the legal issues around employments
• Compare what is taxable as employment income to the taxation of self-employed
individuals
• Outline the basis of assessment for Schedule E
• Identify whether or not expenses are deductible against Schedule E income
• Identify whether or not reimbursed expenses are taxable under Schedule E
• Identify whether or not benefits are taxable under Schedule E
• Calculate an individual’s taxable employment income
9. Pensions
• Outline the different types of pension
• Describe the tax relief available for pension contributions
• Calculate an individual’s taxable income after deducting pension contributions
4. Shares
• Applying first principles, determine the CGT implications of share transactions
• Describe the legal issues a company must consider before altering its share capital
7. Losses
• Describe what relief is available to an individual who makes a capital loss
• Calculate the capital loss relief available
8. Administration of CGT
• Describe the pay-and-file system for CGT
• Identify the key pay-and-file dates for CGT
• Complete a CGT return
• Outline what interest and penalties can apply where pay-and-file dates are missed
Stamp Duty
3. Directors
• Describe the role of directors of a company
• Outline how the directors of a company are appointed
• List the powers of directors
• Explain the duties of directors
• List the role and duties of the company secretary
6. Investment income
• Identify how investment income received by a company is taxed and calculate the taxable
investment profits of a company
8. Capital gains
• Describe how a company is charged to tax on its capital gains
10. Groups
• Identify if a group exists for corporation tax purposes
• Calculate any group relief available
• Describe what relief is available for the transfer of assets between group companies
15. Administration
• Describe the pay-and-file system for corporation tax
• Identify the key pay-and-file dates for corporation tax
• Complete the relevant returns
• Understand the mandatory requirement to file accounts and computations in iXBRL format
• Outline what interest and penalties can apply where pay-and-file dates are missed
4. International transactions
• Outline the rules which apply to the sale of goods outside of the State and establish what
evidence must be retained by the trader to satisfy the authorities
• Discuss supplies of goods and services to private individuals (“B2C”)
• Outline the VAT treatment of International Transport Services
• Calculate the VAT chargeable or deductible on international supplies
8. Administration
• Describe the record keeping requirements of VAT
• Complete a valid VAT invoice or credit note
• Describe the pay-and-file system for VAT and identify the key pay-and-file dates
• Account for VAT using the invoice basis and the cash basis of accounting for VAT
• Complete Form RTD, VIES and Intrastat returns
• Outline what interest and penalties can apply where pay-and-file dates are missed
1 Definitions����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 28
4 Data Protection������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 29
5 Reasonable Accomodation��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 29
6 Assessment – general������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 29
11 Appeals����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 33
1 Definitions
“academic year” shall run from 1 October one year to 30 September the following year.
“end of course examination” shall mean the examinations which take place in April and August.
“examinations” shall refer to online assessments. These may also be referred to as Invigilated online
examinations or online examinations.
“examination sitting” shall mean the April and/or August sittings as appropriate.
“Investigations Committee” shall refer to a Committee of the Irish Tax Institute as set out in the Code of
Professional Conduct to which students are bound.
“in writing” or “written notification”, in the context of written notice issuing from the Irish Tax Institute
shall mean a notice emailed to the email address which a student has registered with us or posted to an
address the student has registered with us. In the context of written notice issuing to the Irish Tax
Institute it shall mean a notice emailed to students@taxinstitute.ie or post sent to the Irish Tax Institute’s
registered office being: South Block, Longboat Quay, Grand Canal Harbour, Dublin 2, Ireland.
“Module” shall mean the study course and end of course examination.
4 Data protection
The Irish Tax Institute takes your privacy seriously. We will process your personal data in
accordance with our privacy policy as available on our website (https://taxinstitute.ie/about-
us/ legal-and-data-policies/data-protection-policy/).
5 Reasonable Accommodation
5.1 The Institute will endeavour to accommodate students with disabilities or special learning
needs where possible. The Institute’s reasonable accommodation policy is outlined on page 36.
5.2 S
tudents may also make applications regarding extenuating circumstances where the student
feels their performance in one or more assessments has been affected. This must be received
within seven days of the assessment taking place. All applications made on time and with
supporting documentation, will be considered when the results are being adjudicated.
Applications without supporting documentation will not be considered. IT for the examinations is
the students responsibility. Where students are impacted by IT issues during the exam which last
for less than or equal to the additional time provided for IT issues these will not be considered.
6 Assessment – general
6.1 tudents may not attempt the examination(s) unless they have been registered for the relevant
S
course for that Module.
6.2 All fees, including the student subscription, must be paid in full prior to a student registering
for an end of course examination.
6.3 I n order to successfully complete the Tax Technician programme, a student must achieve a
pass mark (50%) in each of the end of course examinations.
6.4 A
pril/May 2023 exam sittings
The closing date for receipt of exam registrations is the 18th of November 2022.
The closing date for receipt of late examination entries or a change of mind is the 28th of
February 2023 and is subject to an administration fee of €100. No entries will be accepted
after this date.
After the late examination entry date, exam fees are not transferable, and deferrals will attract
a full examination fee for the next exam sitting.
August 2023 exam sittings
The closing date for receipt of exam registrations is the 5th of May 2023.
The closing date for receipt of late examination entries or a change of mind is the 23rd of June
2023 and is subject to an administration fee of €100. No entries will be accepted after this
date. Please note that students awaiting exam results from the April/May 2023 exam sittings
Where no examination regulation breach is confirmed the student’s permanent record shall
be purged of any mention of the instance.
Where a regulation breach is confirmed, the student shall be notified in writing of the
penalty imposed and this shall form part of the student’s record. For the avoidance of doubt,
subject to any findings of the Investigations Committee in respect of a matter referred under
Regulation 9.5.2, this shall not transfer into the membership record if the student applies for
Tax Technician Membership.
Any costs incurred directly relating to an investigation under this regulation shall be borne by
those who incur them.
9.6 If a student wishes to appeal against any penalty imposed by the Assessment Sub-
Committee then they must submit their formal appeal to the Director of Educational
Strategy, outlining all grounds for appeal, in writing within 21 days of the publication of the
decision. These appeals shall be dealt with by a Committee appointed by Council. Unlike
normal appeals, this appeal shall first be made in writing and then, should the student wish,
they may present to this Committee in person to discuss their appeal. Any findings of the
Committee appointed by Council are final.
Appeals must be accompanied by a fee of €250. This fee will be reimbursed should the
appeal be upheld.
Any costs incurred directly relating to an appeal under this regulation shall be borne by those
who incur them.
10.2 If a student is dissatisfied with their results, they may apply to have one or more end of
course examinations rechecked. A recheck costs €60 per module.
10.3 A
person other than the Examiner will be appointed solely by the Irish Tax Institute to carry
out a recheck.
10.4 T
he Assessment Sub-Committee will consider the results of a recheck and their decision
on the matter will be final. Under no circumstances will the Irish Tax Institute enter into
discussions with the student on the result of a recheck.
10.5 A
pplications for rechecks must be made on the appropriate form (available on Blackboard)
and submitted, with the appropriate fee, to the Irish Tax Institute within 6 calendar days from
the date of the results issuing.
11 Appeals
11.1 S
tudents have a right of appeal to the Director of Educational Strategy (or nominee) in
relation to the operation of any of the rules in this handbook to the extent that the operation
affects:
• Admissions
11.2 A
ppeals that relate to deferral of examinations or extension of time limits relating to
examinations can only be made on the basis of extenuating circumstances such as:
11.3 If a student is unhappy with a decision of the Director of Educational Strategy (or nominee),
they have a further right of appeal to the Education Committee. The decision of the
Education Committee shall be final.
11.4 A
ppeals, both first and second stage, must be submitted to an Education Coordinator on
the relevant forms which are available to download from Blackboard and may require certain
documentary evidence as appropriate.
11.5 A
ll appeal forms must be lodged within 10 working days of receipt by the student of the
decision which is being appealed against or of the event which gives rise to the appeal,
whichever is relevant.
Equality
We will treat all individuals fairly and equally regardless of their gender, family status, civil status, sexual
orientation, age, disability, religion, ethnicity and/or their membership of the Traveller community.
The ITI seeks to ensure that students with a disability have as full and equal participation in its education
programmes as can reasonably be provided. Students with a disability who require reasonable
accommodation should disclose their additional needs at the earliest possible opportunity to the ITI.
Further details on our reasonable accommodation policy are contained in our student regulations.
To ensure that you receive your materials in How can I become a member of the Irish
advance of lectures, you should register at least Tax Institute?
three weeks prior to your course commencing. To become a Technician Member of the ITI,
We continue to accept registrations after the registered students must pass the Tax
course commences. However, early registration is Technician examinations of the Irish Tax
advised so you do not miss any tuition. Institute. A registration fee of €35 is payable by
each person upon first becoming a Tax
How do I register for the Tax Technician
Technician member of the Institute. An annual
Course?
subscription fee of €180 is then payable upon
You can register as a Tax Technician student via first admission and subsequently on 1 April in
the Irish Tax Institute website, respect of each year in accordance with the
www.taxinstitute.ie. You should read this subscription rate for the year.
handbook carefully before submitting an
application to register as a student. When can I use the term Tax Technician?
You can use the term Tax Technician after you
What does my fee cover?
have successfully completed your examinations,
Your course fee covers all relevant course paid the admission fee and been formally
materials, access to the learning management accepted to membership, which cannot occur
system, lecture content, a revision workshop, as before the Irish Tax Institute’s Annual Conferring
well as examination fees. A subscription fee is Ceremony.
also due.
Do I need a training contract?
Do I need to pay the full fees in one
You do not need a training contract to study the
instalment?
Tax Technician course.
The Irish Tax Institute is pleased to offer a flexible
payment method by direct debit, meaning you I am not working in tax. Can I study the Tax
can spread your course fees over the duration of Technician Course?
the course. Terms & Conditions apply. See You do not need to be working in tax to study the
page 14 for further details. Tax Technician course.
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