The MSc in South African Tax Law will be offered from the second quarter of 2022. The full MSc will provide the candidate with the in-depth knowledge and practical experience in South African Tax Law that will enable them to fulfil a senior position as a taxation specialist.
The MSc is completed over three full academic years and contains the following 3 Stages:
Stage 1, Module 2
Students who have already completed this module in the PG-C are not required to complete it again.
The main aim of this module is to introduce the student to a South African Tax Law and how it relates to companies. By now the student will have a good understanding of how to read and interpret case law, but this module further expands on this skill. The ability to read and interpret the law is also further expanded and the student delves deeper into the Income Tax Act, but also the newer Tax Administration Act (TAA), which is an important piece of legislation for the interaction between the South African Revenue Service the Taxpayer.
The module also unpacks the general principles relating to the source of income tax. The TAA is further unpacked in the analysis of special capital deductions.
And the last aim is to unpack the VAT Act and VAT system that operates in South Africa
Stage 2, Module 1
The student who progresses from Stage 1, now has a basic understanding of South African Tax Law. The main aim of this module is to extrapolate South African Tax LAw in more detail with particular attention to:
- Full analysis of the concept of capital receipts, with identifying and understanding relevant case law
- Understanding the distinction between capital receipts and receipts on revenue
- A comprehensive look at Capital Gains Tax, including the tax treatment of CGT, the core components of CGT.
- Understanding the function of CGT and fully unpacking schedule 8 to the Income Tax Act.
- Unpacking the Common Law Doctrine, its application, as well as the role of competency of simulation.
- The module is concluded with modern developments within the tax system.
Stage 2, Module 2
- In this module Dividends Tax and Donation Tax are unpacked through the analysis of the relevant sections within the Income Tax Act.
- Another important aspect that is considered in the broader tax system is general anti-avoidance, which is dealt with in-depth.
- International Tax and trusts within the context of South African Tax Law is also addressed in detail. And to close the module as well as the PG-D portion of the programme, Financial Instruments are covered, with a thorough analysis of the Income Tax Act relating to financial instruments.
Stage 3 – Dissertation
- The main objective of the dissertation is to apply your knowledge of South African Tax Law, through research, to explore the unknown and unlock new possibilities within the practice area of International Taxation.
- The aim of the dissertation is to develop a careful and detailed study of a proposed problem or concern in South African Tax Law, and implement the knowledge gained from Stages 1 and 2 of the programme in order to sufficiently research, consider and respond to the problem.
- A further aim is an in-depth analysis of the information learned in order to generate new questions, concepts and understandings within the practice area of South African Tax Law.
Who will benefit from this programme?
This programme has been designed for individuals seeking to develop an in-depth and practical understanding of South African Tax Law. The typical audience will consist of in-house tax specialists, tax practitioners in private practice, revenue authorities, government officials, economists and lawyers.
People who would most benefit from this programme are:
- CFO’s
- Financial Directors
- Financial Managers
- Accountants
- Tax Accountants
- Tax Layers
- Group Tax Managers
- Tax Managers
- Corporate Financial Consultants/ Advisors
- Entry to mid-level tax employees at MNE’s or Revenue Services
- Revenue Service Officials
- In house tax specialists of MNEs;
- Head of Tax
- Group Tax Manager
- Tax Director
- Head of Corporate Tax
- Tax Manager
- Head of Group Taxation
- Tax Partner
- Senior Tax Consultant
- Partner
Next Intake
The next intake will take place after final validation by Middlesex University. It is anticipated to be in the second quarter of 2022.
