Postgraduate Diploma in Taxation

Purpose

The Postgraduate Diploma in Taxation qualification is designed to equip the learner with the skills necessary to function at a strategic level in the area of taxation in a business or as a skilled professional. Learners are able to specialise in a specific area of taxation, i.e. Wealth Taxes or International Taxes (one of the electives links to the latter).

Learners will be equipped with the necessary knowledge to develop their professional capabilities while covering contemporary topics and changes within the taxation system. Learners will follow a uniquely curated curriculum that will enable them to pursue a professional designation as General Tax Practitioners as outlined by the South African Institute of Taxation.

Learners who have achieved this qualification will demonstrate competence in theoretical knowledge as well as practical application, which will be achieved through a combination of case studies and theory. The qualification will enable learners to establish themselves as specialists or leaders in their field. With this background, they will be able to provide tax advice (e.g. risk analysis and in-depth ancillary explanations), manage tax revenue authority queries, audits, assessments and further aspects of the tax controversy process prior to judicial involvement, and prepare and review recurring tax returns for businesses of a medium and large sizes as well as for upper-income and wealthy individual clients and their families.

Furthermore, this qualification will give learners the opportunity to cover the foundational aspects of taxation as well as gain insight into the impacts and challenges of rapidly evolving technologies in the field of taxation.

Upon completion of the qualification, a qualifying learner will be able to

• Facilitate tax compliance in various contexts, to align with organisational and individual needs, in a manner that is fair for all stakeholders concerned and compliant with regulatory frameworks.
• Interpret how concepts and legislative provisions relating to various tax types are applied in practice.
• Develop tax planning strategies that mitigate risk for individuals and organisations.
• Synthesise relevant information to meet the taxation submission requirements for various tax types.
• Evaluate the roles of various stakeholders in the process of ensuring tax compliance on a local and global scale.

Rationale

Reports conducted by the Sector Education and Training Authority for the Finance, Accounting, Management Consulting and Other Financial Services (FASSET) show that emerging technologies have far-reaching implications for skills requirements in the sector. Particularly at risk were skills related to professions that are directly linked to taxation, such as bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing. These professions represent the largest sub-sector within FASSET. Thus, the qualification is designed to cover foundational aspects of taxation, while providing insight throughout the qualification on how emergent technologies could potentially impact the highlighted professions.

The typical learner for this qualification would be a professional aspiring to the South African Institute of Taxation's (SAIT) General Tax Practitioner or Tax Professional designations. The qualification will be developed to align with SAIT's designation to aid learners in achieving the designation.

The learning pathway that the learner could embark upon would be an undergraduate BCom irrespective of the major, followed by the PGDip in Taxation.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

An appropriate Bachelor's Degree or an appropriate Advanced Diploma is the usual route to admission (see admission requirements). However, in particular cases, learners without such qualifications, whose age, work and proven expertise and competency have provided them with equivalent levels of learning, may apply for admission in terms of the Recognition of Prior Learning Policy and Credit Accumulation and Transfer Policy.

The learner is required to submit details of such experience to the institution, and each application is handled on a case-by-case basis, where the application is evaluated against the background of the qualification requirements.

The institution can provide alternative entry routes for 10% of any intake.

Entry Requirements

• Advanced Diploma in Taxation, NQF Level 7.

Or

• Bachelor of Technology in Taxation, NQF Level 7.

Or

• Bachelor of Accounting Sciences: Taxation, NQF Level 7.

This qualification consists of compulsory and elective modules at NQF Level 8, totalling 128 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 8, 128 Credits

• Introduction to Taxation, 8 Credits.
• Personal Income Tax and Payroll, 20 Credits.
• Personal Income Tax and Life Events, 20 Credits.
• Corporate Taxes, 20 Credits.
• Indirect Taxes, 20 Credits.
• Application of Accounting and Tax Principles, 20 Credits.

Elective Modules, NQF Level 8, 20 Credits (Select one module)

• International Tax, 20 Credits.
• Wealth Tax Administration and Advice, 20 Credits.

1. Facilitate tax compliance in various contexts, to align with organisational and individual needs, in a manner that is fair for all stakeholders concerned and compliant with regulatory frameworks.
2. Interpret how concepts and legislative provisions relating to various tax types are applied in practice.
3. Develop tax planning strategies that mitigate risk for individuals and organisations.
4. Synthesise relevant information to meet the taxation submission requirements for various tax types.
5. Evaluate the roles of the various stakeholders in the process of ensuring tax compliance on a local and global scale.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Identify the relevant tax laws and regulations that are applicable to specific transactions.
• Calculate the tax liabilities or benefits associated with different types of transactions.
• Compile well-organised and comprehensive tax documentation for different tax types.
• Recommend solutions that ensure tax compliance in a manner that minimises the tax burden for taxpayers.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Evaluate the impact of changing tax laws and regulations on tax planning and compliance, both locally and on a global scale.
• Apply the provisions of the legal framework that governs the underlying principles of taxation for individuals and organisations to different transactions.
• Analyse legal precedents that have been set in relevant taxation case law.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Apply appropriate tax planning strategies to optimise tax outcomes in a legally compliant and ethical manner.
• Evaluate and accurately document tax assessment disputes and controversies to ensure a fair outcome for all stakeholders.
• Recommend responses to SARS queries, requests and audits in post-return adjustments.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Compile tax returns containing all the relevant fiscal data and supporting documentation in alignment with regulatory and legislative requirements.
• Calculate tax liability, applying the correct formulae and taking specific circumstances, exemptions and triggers into consideration.
• Develop strategies for resolving post-submission tax disputes, including negotiation, mediation and litigation.
• Use tax software and tools for compliance purposes.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Analyse the responsibilities of the various role players in tax administration.
• Assess the ethical and professional obligations associated with representing stakeholders in tax matters.
• Evaluate the potential conflicts of interest that may arise among different stakeholders.

Integrated Assessment.