The aim of the syllabus is to develop knowledge and skills relating to the tax system as applicable to individuals, single companies, and groups of companies.

The syllabus for Taxation - United Kingdom (TX-UK) introduces students to the subject of taxation and provides the core knowledge of the underlying principles and major technical areas of taxation as they affect the activities of individuals and businesses.

Students are introduced to the rationale behind – and the functions of – the tax system. The syllabus then considers the separate taxes that an accountant would need to have a detailed knowledge of, such as income tax from self-employment, employment and investments, the corporation tax liability of individual companies and groups of companies, the national insurance contribution liabilities of both employed and self-employed persons, the value added tax liability of businesses, the chargeable gains arising on disposals of investments by both individuals and companies, and the inheritance tax liabilities arising on chargeable lifetime transfers and on death.

Having covered the core areas of the basic taxes, students should be able to compute tax liabilities, explain the basis of their calculations, apply tax planning techniques for individuals and companies and identify the compliance issues for each major tax through a variety of business and personal scenarios and situations.

Section G of the syllabus contains outcomes relating to the demonstration of appropriate digital and employability skills in preparing for and taking the examination. This includes being able to interact with different question item types, manage information presented in digital format and being able to use the relevant functionality and technology to prepare and present response options in a professional manner. 

These skills are specifically developed by practicing and preparing for the exam, using the learning support content for computer-based exams available via the practice platform and the ACCA website and will need to be demonstrated during the live exam.

On successful completion of this exam, students should be able to:

A. Explain the operation and scope of the tax system and the obligations of tax payers and/or their agents and the implications of non-compliance

B. Explain and compute the income tax liabilities of individuals and the effect of national insurance contributions (NIC) on employees, employers and the self-employed

C. Explain and compute the chargeable gains arising on individuals

D. Explain and compute the inheritance tax liabilities of individuals

E. Explain and compute the corporation tax liabilities of individual companies and groups of companies

F. Explain and compute the effects of value added tax (VAT) on incorporated and unincorporated businesses

G. Demonstrate employability and technology skills