THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH

DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2020/2021

Information in the Degree Programme Tables may still be subject to change in response to Covid-19

University Homepage
DRPS Homepage
DRPS Search
DRPS Contact
DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Law : Law

Postgraduate Course: Principles of International Tax Law (LAWS11123)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Law CollegeCollege of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) AvailabilityAvailable to all students
SCQF Credits20 ECTS Credits10
SummaryThis course is designed to give students an introduction to the principles and practical issues of international tax law. It looks at the problems caused when national tax systems overlap, focusing on direct taxation. Students will be given an overview of international tax treaties through an examination of the OECD model and will be expected to apply this to practical situations. They will also be encouraged to develop written and oral skills through class discussion and assessments. A sustained analysis of a practical problem will form a significant component of the final assessment of this course.
Course description The course will allow students to acquire the necessary knowledge to understand all issues relating to direct taxation connected with cross-border operations, and to solve practical problems.

Contents covered in the course will include:

Introduction to International Tax Law

1 Outline of the course; format; assessment; presentation allocation; assignment essay; bibliography. The taxation of individuals and companies: general framework

The taxation of individuals

2 Introduction of the institutional legal framework for the taxation of cross-border income: history, function, legal status, and interpretation of the OECD Model Convention.

3 Article 4(1)(2) for the natural person: connecting factors: residence, domicile, nationality, centre of vital interests; comparison of different tax jurisdictions; tie-breaker provisions, and a closer look at the UK jurisdiction as an example to highlight recent challenges to tax authorities and current changes to the legislation.

4 Source versus residence: distributive rules for taxing rights for different types of income ¿ Articles 6, 8, 15,16, and 21.

5 Source versus residence: distributive rules for taxing rights for different types of income ¿ Articles 10, 11, 12 and 13.

The taxation of companies

6 Article 4(3) for the legal (corporate) person: the determination of tax residence for a company: connecting factors; comparison of different tax jurisdictions, and the tie-breaker provisions; recent developments corporate residence determination from challenges brought on by the technological revolution.

7 Articles 5 & 7: business profits; permanent establishment; dependent or independent agency; e-commerce; the allocation of profits and principles thereon.

8 Article 9: associated enterprises and transfer pricing issues.

9 Article 23: double taxation and methods of granting relief

10 Anti-avoidance rules in the international taxation framework (CFC rules, limitation of benefits rules, thin capitalization rules, basic features of the UK¿s ¿diverted profit tax¿).

The course will be tough through weekly seminars which will offer students the possibility of actively engaging in discussion questions and of showing their understanding and their problem-solving abilities.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements Some study of tax law at a domestic level would be useful but not essential.
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesSome study of tax law at a domestic level would be useful but not essential.
High Demand Course? Yes
Course Delivery Information
Not being delivered
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Show awareness of the issues arising out of the overlapping between national tax systes and knowledge of the key rules concerning the distribution of taxing rights between different countries in relation to all cases of cross-border income
  2. Demonstrate understanding of the principles underlying those rules and of their objectives;
  3. Demonstrate analytical skills that would allow them to identify the rules and principles that would be relevant in practical situations
  4. Use their knowledge of the rules, their understanding of the underlying principles and objectives as well as their analytical skills in solving practical cases involving international taxation issues
Reading List
The key textbook can be, alternatively:
- L. Oats, A.Miller, E.Mulligan, Principles of International Taxation, 6th Ed., 2017
or
- B.J.Arnold, International Tax Primer, 3rd Ed., 2016
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Students will have developed their critical analysis skills and their evaluation skills (that could also be applied in fields other than tax law).

Students will have strengthened the oral communication skills and their writing skills.

Students will also have developed their autonomy in both submitting and defending critical arguments
Keywordsinternational tax law,OECD Model Tax Convention,tax residence,source,business income
Contacts
Course organiserDr David Fox
Tel: (0131 6)50 2054
Email: D.Fox@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMiss Lauren Ayre
Tel: (0131 6)50 2002
Email: Lauren.Ayre@ed.ac.uk
Navigation
Help & Information
Home
Introduction
Glossary
Search DPTs and Courses
Regulations
Regulations
Degree Programmes
Introduction
Browse DPTs
Courses
Introduction
Humanities and Social Science
Science and Engineering
Medicine and Veterinary Medicine
Other Information
Combined Course Timetable
Prospectuses
Important Information