ACC5003 Personal and Business Tax 

Assessment Number 1: Essay (30%)
Assessment Title: Fair tax systems
Assessment Length: 2,500 words

NOTE: Kindly share your UPDATED exam paper to the LIVE EXPERT with an updated Case Study (if any)

Learning Outcomes:

Assignment brief:
It`s a common belief that consumption taxation rather than income taxation is a fairer basis on which to levy a progressive personal tax. Compare and contrast the two taxation methods and assess how well each one satisfies the desirable characteristics for a "fair" taxation system by making use of relevant examples.

Requirements:
You are required to write a 2500-word essay on the desirable characteristics of a fair taxation system followed by a brief reflective summary.

Required for submission:

• Assignments must be type-written and submitted using Turnitin (via Moodle) in a two WORD files. Further guidance will be provided by your class tutor.
• Provide full Harvard references (in-text citations and a references list) for secondary sources using the format suggested by the University of Bolton Harvard Referencing Guidelines. No hard copy is required. Your work will be assessed, and feedback provided using the grading criteria set for HE5.

Minimum Secondary Research Source Requirements:
Level HE5 - It is expected that the Reference List will contain between ten and fifteen sources. As a MINIMUM the Reference List should include two refereed academic journals and four academic books

Sources of secondary literature

• Most assignments will require you to make use of secondary literature sources. These sources may be available in paper and/or electronic form. The literatures sources that you will be expected to refer to when completing your assignments include:
• Refereed academic journals – articles in such publications are evaluated by academic peers prior to publication to assess their quality and suitability.
• Other academic journals – such publications normally have an editor and/or editorial board to select articles. The relevance and usefulness of such journals vary considerably.
• Professional journals – articles included in such publications are often of a practical nature and more closely aligned to professional (practitioner) needs than those in academic journals.
• Books – may be aimed at the academic market or at practicing professionals. It is likely that those with an academic slant will be of most relevance to you.
• Newspapers – a good source of topical events and developments.

ALL LITERATURE SOURCES THAT YOU REFER TO IN THE BODY OF YOUR ASSIGNMENT MUST BE INCLUDED IN A REFERENCES LIST WHICH SHOULD APPEAR AT THE END OF YOUR ASSIGNMENT.

Specific Assessment Criteria
First class (70% and above):
This piece of work shows evidence of wider research with reference to a number of differing academic viewpoints. The essay has recognised relevantly and discussed in detail, all the required external environmental factors which affect a fair tax system.  Several reasoned and logical arguments have been developed well and supported by a wide range of appropriately researched literature. Reference to two or more academic models is clear, relevant and informative. Presentation is of a high standard, and in the appropriate essay style.
Extensive research demonstrating use of a wide range of current secondary research sources will be evident. Academic style and referencing will be excellent. 

Second class (50-69%):
A clear and informative piece of work with evidence of wider research and discussion. The essay has correctly recognised and discussed, all the required external environmental factors which affect a fair tax system.  Some reasoned arguments have been developed and supported by a good number of sources.  Reference to two academic models is clear.  Presentation is of a good standard, in the appropriate essay style.  A good number of appropriate sources have been referenced well, with most complying with the Harvard style. Research demonstrating use of a wide range of current secondary research sources will be evident. Academic style and referencing will be good. 

Third class (40-49%):
A reasonable attempt has been made at researching the essay but greater in-depth discussion and academic debate is required.  The essay has recognised the external environmental factors which affect a fair tax system, however mostly the discussion is superficial and lacking in any depth.  Reference to two academic models has been attempted. Presentation of the essay is limited. Research demonstrating use of a range of current secondary research sources will be evident. Academic style and referencing will be fair. 

Fail (39% and below):

• Students who do not meet the requirements of a third-class grade will not successfully complete the assessment activity.
• Guidelines for the Preparation and Submission of Written Assessments
• Written assessments should be word-processed in Arial or Calibri Light font size 12. There should be double-spacing and each page should be numbered.
• There should be a title page identifying the programme name, module title, assessment title, your student number, your marking tutor and the date of submission.
• You should include a word-count at the end of the assessment (excluding references, figures, tables and appendices).

Where a word limit is specified, the following penalty systems applies:

• Up to 10% over the specified word length = no penalty
• 10 – 20% over the specified indicative word length = 5 marks subtracted (but if the assessment would normally gain a pass mark, then the final mark to be no lower than the pass mark for the assessment).
• More than 20% over the indicative word length = if the assessment would normally gain a pass mark or more, then the final mark will be capped at the pass mark for the assessment.
• All written work should be referenced using the standard University of Bolton referencing style– see: https://libguides.bolton.ac.uk/resources/referencing/
• Unless otherwise notified by your Module Tutor, electronic copies of assignments should be saved as word documents and uploaded into Turnitin via the Moodle class area. If you experience problems in uploading your work, then you must send an electronic copy of your assessment to your Module Tutor via email BEFORE the due date/time.
• Please note that when you submit your work to Moodle, it will automatically be checked for matches against other electronic information. The individual percentage text matches may be used as evidence in an academic misconduct investigation (see Section 13).

Late work will be subject to the penalties:

• Up to 7 calendar days late = 10 marks subtracted but if the assignment would normally gain a pass mark, then the final mark to be no lower than the pass mark for the assignment.
• More than 7 calendar days late = This will be counted as non-submission and no marks will be recorded.
• Late submission of assessments on refer and those which are graded Pass/Fail only, is not permitted. Students may request an extension to the original published deadline date as described below. 
• In the case of exceptional and unforeseen circumstances, an extension of up to 14 days after the assessment deadline may be granted. This must be agreed by your Programme Leader, following a discussion the Module Tutor.  You should complete an Extension Request Form available from your Tutor and attach documentary evidence of your circumstances, prior to the published submission deadline.
• Extensions over 14 calendar days should be requested using the Mitigating Circumstances procedure, with the exception of extensions for individual projects and artefacts which, at the discretion of the Programme Leader, may be longer than 14 days.
• Requests for extensions which take a submission date past the end of the module (normally week 15) must be made using the Mitigating Circumstances procedures.
• Some students with registered disabilities will be eligible for revised submission deadlines. Revised submission deadlines do not require the completion extension request paperwork.
• Please note that the failure of data storage systems is not considered to be a valid reason for an extension. It is therefore important that you keep multiple copies of your work on different storage devices before submitting it.
• You should always ensure you keep a copy of any assignment submitted

ASSIGNMENT MARKING GUIDE
Marks are awarded for structure and referencing of the essay as well as for the extent of the literature review, depth of analysis/evaluation and formation of a conclusion.