Advanced taxation

Duration

30h Th

Number of credits

Lecturer

Isabelle Richelle Graulich

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

This course is part of the curriculum offered to students in the "Financial Analysis and Audit" track.

Why choose this course?


Because taxation is an integral part of the life of a company, its shareholders, its executives, its employees, and everyone involved with it. 

Because taxes represent a cost that must be managed as effectively as possible.

Because it is important to establish sound tax management-on the one hand, to minimize the tax liability strictly defined by law, and on the other, to best handle any potential tax audits. Tax compliance cannot be prepared for only when the tax authorities come knocking.

Because it is important to understand the tax issues facing entrepreneurs and investors, both domestically and internationally.

Because, as a citizen, it is beneficial to understand the implications of taxation and to be able to critically evaluate the tax policies enacted by lawmakers.

Taxation is a key factor in a number of decisions made by a business (corporation) and/or its shareholders.

Taxation is also an important component of financial decisions.

It is certainly one of the subjects that must be mastered by those interested in careers related to accounting, auditing, finance, and, of course, tax-related professions (internal or external tax experts, in particular).


The course offers an in-depth examination of the tax rules applicable to the company and its shareholders. This course primarily covers corporate income tax and shareholder taxation. It will also provide an introduction to value-added tax (VAT) and customs duties (which are becoming increasingly important today). Emphasis is also placed on international aspects, which are essential given that Belgian businesses are increasingly operating in an international context.

The course therefore aims to

- establish the fundamentals of corporate income tax:

* Which companies are subject to corporate income tax in Belgium? And how are other companies operating in Belgium treated?

* How is the taxable income of a "Belgian" company determined?

- to examine how shareholders-whether individuals or corporations, based in Belgium or abroad-are taxed,

- Examine how to structure the business: where to locate it, and in what legal form? Should a restructuring be considered at some point? What are the tax implications of such a restructuring?

The course also offers insights into how to structure or restructure a company's operations.

Key insights for understanding corporate income tax and the taxation of shareholders around the world....

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

The objectives of the course are:
- first, to provide an overview of the taxation of corporations and their shareholders that enables students to understand the tax systems of different countries;
- second, to make managers aware of the importance of incorporating tax considerations into their analyses. Managers must be able to grasp the tax implications of a given situation, seek solutions to specific tax issues, or understand tax-related explanations provided by a specialist, all with a view to making informed decisions;
- Furthermore, to provide the essential tax information needed by professionals who assist companies with accounting, tax, and auditing matters;
- To raise awareness of international aspects, in order to better understand the challenges faced by Belgian companies in an international market.


The Belgian tax system will serve as the basis for this work.

 



This course contributes to the following Intended Learning Outcomes :

 
To strengthen knowledge and understanding of management disciplines and their legal, policy and social context

- Gaining the knowledge and understanding of one of the proposed fields of concentration or to gain deep knowledge in the field of the management being already specialized thru a first University Master Degree . 

- Integrate autonomously researched information, tools, knowledge and context to build and propose, either individually or as part of a team, original, creative and viable solutions to concrete complex management problems, whether real or simulated, taking into account, when necessary, the human, social and legal context.

 
- Being capable of professional team work 

- Creative conception of solutions 

- Faced with a management problem, suggesting solutions that are ethical and socially responsible and that respect the principles of good governance.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Good command of French language

Belgian general tax law (General Tax Law course): students who have not already taken the course on "general tax law" are asked to contact Mrs Catherine Simon Dubois. 

In-depth knowledge of Belgian general accounts. 

The legal subjects covered in the basic curriculum at HEC are assumed to be known and mastered (public law, civil law, company law, social law).

Mathematics: basic algebra notions



 

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

The course is taught in person.


It requires active participation from students and continuous preparation of the material from week to week.


The course is based on active teaching methods.


The theoretical foundations necessary for mastery of the subject are illustrated with numerous practical examples.

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Face-to-face course


Further information:

Face to face.

Active participation is required, which means taking part in the exercises proposed during the course, reviewing the material from week to week and preparing certain lessons.

The primary aim is to deepen your knowledge of the subject. But the aim is also to understand the subject, to perceive what is at stake for the company and the economic world, to develop an analytical and critical vision of the subject, so as to be able to fulfil one's role as a manager, advisor, auditor and, in any event, as a citizen/taxpayer in the best possible way.


The course is completed with exercises sessions. Students are asked to prepare the cases and participate actively during the sessions.

Any exercise sessions that may be organised are given by a student-instructor. They are optional. 

Course materials and recommended or required readings

Platform(s) used for course materials:
- LOL@


Further information:

- powerpoint

- video clips (preparation for the VAT course)

- tax code (up to date)

- bibliography: a general bibliography is provided, together with information on the documentary sources available in the field of taxation. Additional information can be found in basic manuals or specialised articles. 

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

written exam ( multiple-choice questionnaire, open-ended questions )


Further information:

The assessment includes a written examination.

For this written examination:

The use of the Tax Code is permitted.

Any form of cheating, by any means whatsoever, will result in a mark of 0/20.

Watches, mobile phones, any connected devices, earphones, etc. are strictly prohibited.

The examination aims to test comprehension, knowledge, mastery of the subject matter, the ability to apply the rules studied to concrete situations, the ability to organise a response, and analytical and critical thinking skills.

The examination may include multiple-choice questions, true/false questions, short questions, and open-ended questions.

The Tax Code may be underlined, coloured, and include keywords and cross-references from article to article. The code includes a table of contents, which may also be annotated. An up-to-date code is recommended. New legislation may be added to the code, provided that all printed sheets are bound together.

Loose sheets are not permitted.

Continuous assessment:

The final assessment may include a continuous assessment component to take into account the student's personal work throughout the year.

Work placement(s)

Organisational remarks and main changes to the course

Up-to-date Tax Code

Contacts

Please contact the professor when teaching or by appointment

 

Assistante: Mrs Catherine Simon Dubois (Catherine.SimonDubois@uliege.be)

Association of one or more MOOCs

Items online