F6 - Syllabus
F6 - Syllabus
F6 - Syllabus
June & December 2010 This shows the breakdown of the main capabilities
(sections) of the syllabus into subject areas. This is
the blueprint for the detailed study guide.
This syllabus and study guide is designed to help
with planning study and to provide detailed
Approach to examining the syllabus
information on what could be assessed in
any examination session.
This section briefly explains the structure of the
examination and how it is assessed.
THE STRUCTURE OF THE SYLLABUS AND
STUDY GUIDE
Study Guide
Main capabilities
ACCA has two official publishers: BPP
Learning Media and Kaplan Publishing.
This paper’s aim is broken down into several main
Both these publishers base their
capabilities which divide the syllabus and study
study texts on the detailed contents of the study
guide into discrete sections.
guides as published by ACCA. ACCA takes no
editorial responsibility for the detailed content of
Relational diagram of the main capabilities
these study texts although ACCA examiners will
annually review their content for general
This diagram illustrates the flows and links between
appropriateness and relevance in supporting
the main capabilities (sections) of the syllabus and
effective study towards ACCA examinations.
should be used as an aid to planning teaching and
In addition ACCA examiners will recommend other
learning in a structured way.
text books where appropriate, which students may
read in order to widen their reading beyond the
Syllabus rationale
approved study texts. Relevant articles will also be
published in student accountant.
This is a narrative explaining how the syllabus is
structured and how the main capabilities are linked.
The rationale also explains in further detail what the
examination intends to assess and why.
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INTELLECTUAL LEVELS GUIDE TO EXAM STRUCTURE
The syllabus is designed to progressively broaden The structure of examinations varies within and
and deepen the knowledge, skills and professional between modules and levels.
values demonstrated by the student on their way
through the qualification. The Fundamentals level examinations contain
100% compulsory questions to encourage
The specific capabilities within the detailed candidates to study across the breadth of each
syllabuses and study guides are assessed at one of syllabus.
three intellectual or cognitive levels:
The Knowledge module is assessed by equivalent
Level 1: Knowledge and comprehension two-hour paper based and computer based
Level 2: Application and analysis examinations.
Level 3: Synthesis and evaluation
The Skills module examinations are all paper based
Very broadly, these intellectual levels relate to the three-hour papers. The structure of papers varies
three cognitive levels at which the Knowledge from ten questions in the Corporate and Business
module, the Skills module and the Professional level Law (F4) paper to four 25 mark questions in
are assessed. Financial Management (F9). Individual questions
within all Skills module papers will attract between
Each subject area in the detailed study guide 10 and 30 marks.
included in this document is given a 1, 2, or
3 superscript, denoting intellectual level, marked at The Professional level papers are all three-hour
the end of each relevant line. This gives an paper based examinations, all containing two
indication of the intellectual depth at which an area sections. Section A is compulsory, but there will be
could be assessed within the examination. However, some choice offered in Section B.
while level 1 broadly equates with the Knowledge
module, level 2 equates to the Skills module and For all three hour examination papers, ACCA has
level 3 to the Professional level, some lower level introduced 15 minutes reading and planning time.
skills can continue to be assessed as the student
progresses through each module and level. This This additional time is allowed at the beginning of
reflects that at each stage of study there will be a each three-hour examination to allow candidates to
requirement to broaden, as well as deepen read the questions and to begin planning their
capabilities. It is also possible that occasionally answers before they start writing in their answer
some higher level capabilities may be assessed at books. This time should be used to ensure that all
lower levels. the information and exam requirements are properly
read and understood.
LEARNING HOURS
During reading and planning time candidates may
The ACCA qualification does not prescribe or only annotate their question paper. They may not
recommend any particular number of learning hours write anything in their answer booklets until told to
for examinations because study and learning do so by the invigilator.
patterns and styles vary greatly between people and
organisations. This also recognises the wide The Essentials module papers all have a Section A
diversity of personal, professional and educational containing a major case study question with all
circumstances in which ACCA students find requirements totalling 50 marks relating to this
themselves. case. Section B gives students a choice of two from
three 25 mark questions.
Each syllabus contains between 23 and 35 main
subject area headings depending on the nature of
the subject and how these areas have been broken
down.
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Section A of each of the Options papers contains
50-70 compulsory marks from two questions, each
attracting between 25 and 40 marks. Section B will
offer a choice of two from three questions totalling
30-50 marks, with each question attracting
between 15 and 25 marks.
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Syllabus MAIN CAPABILITIES
Income tax liabilities (B) Corporation tax liabilities (C) Chargeable gains (D)
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RATIONALE 5. The comprehensive computation of taxable
income and income tax liability
The syllabus for Paper F6, Taxation, introduces
candidates to the subject of taxation and provides 6. The use of exemptions and reliefs in deferring
the core knowledge of the underlying principles and and minimising income tax liabilities
major technical areas of taxation as they affect the
activities of individuals and businesses. C. Corporation tax liabilities
Candidates are introduced to the rationale behind – 1. The scope of corporation tax
and the functions of – the tax system. The syllabus
then considers the separate taxes that an 2. Profits chargeable to corporation tax
accountant would need to have a detailed
knowledge of, such as income tax from 3. The comprehensive computation of corporation
self-employment, employment and investments, the tax liability
corporation tax liability of individual companies and
groups of companies, the national insurance 4. The effect of a group corporate structure for
contribution liabilities of both employed and self corporation tax purposes
employed persons, the value added tax liability of
businesses, and the chargeable gains arising on 5. The use of exemptions and reliefs in deferring
disposals of investments by both individuals and and minimising corporation tax liabilities
companies.
D. Chargeable gains
Having covered the core areas of the basic taxes,
candidates should be able to compute tax liabilities, 1. The scope of the taxation of capital gains
explain the basis of their calculations, apply tax
planning techniques for individuals and companies 2. The basic principles of computing gains and
and identify the compliance issues for each major losses.
tax through a variety of business and personal
scenarios and situations. 3. Gains and losses on the disposal of movable
and immovable property
DETAILED SYLLABUS
4. Gains and losses on the disposal of shares and
A. The UK tax system securities
1. The overall function and purpose of taxation in 5. The computation of capital gains tax payable
a modern economy by individuals
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F. Value added tax
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APPROACH TO EXAMINING THE SYLLABUS
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Study Guide • Foreign income, non-residents and double
taxation relief.
b) Explain the difference between direct and d) Recognise the allowable deductions, including
indirect taxation.[2] travelling expenses.[2]
3. Principal sources of revenue law and practice e) Discuss the use of the statutory approved
mileage allowances.[2]
a) Describe the overall structure of the UK tax
system.[1] f) Explain the PAYE system.[1]
c) Appreciate the interaction of the UK tax system h) Compute the amount of benefits assessable.[2]
with that of other tax jurisdictions.[2]
i) Explain the purpose of a dispensation from HM
4. Tax avoidance and tax evasion Revenue & Customs.[2]
a) Explain the difference between tax avoidance k) Explain how charitable giving can be made
and tax evasion.[1] through a payroll deduction scheme.[1]
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c) Recognise the expenditure that is allowable in i) Explain how a partnership is assessed to
calculating the tax-adjusted trading profit.[2] tax.[2]
ii) Compute the assessable profits for each
d) Recognise the relief that can be obtained for partner following a change in the profit
pre-trading expenditure.[2] sharing ratio.[2]
iii) Compute the assessable profits for each
e) Compute the assessable profits on partner following a change in the
commencement and on cessation.[2] membership of the partnership.[2]
iv) Describe the alternative loss relief claims
f) Change of accounting date that are available to partners.[1]
i) Recognise the factors that will influence the v) Explain the loss relief restriction that
choice of accounting date.[2] applies to the partners of a limited liability
ii) State the conditions that must be met for a partnership.[1]
change of accounting date to be valid.[1]
iii) Compute the assessable profits on a change Excluded topics
of accounting date.[2]
• The 100% allowance for expenditure on
g) Capital allowances renovating business premises in
i) Define plant and machinery for capital disadvantaged areas, flats above shops
allowances purposes.[1] and water technologies..
ii) Compute writing down allowances, first-
year allowances and the annual investment • Capital allowances for agricultural
allowance.[2] buildings, patents, scientific research and
iii) Compute capital allowances for motor know how.
cars.[2]
iv) Compute balancing allowances and • Enterprise zones.
balancing charges.[2]
v) Recognise the treatment of short life • Capital allowances involving the purchase
assets.[2] of a new motor car prior to 6 April 2009 (1
vi) Explain the treatment of assets included in April 2009 for companies)(although the
the special rate pool.[2] treatment of motor cars already owned at
vii) Define an industrial building for industrial this date is examinable).
buildings allowance purposes.[1]
vii) Compute industrial buildings allowance for • Apportionment in order to determine the
new buildings.[2] rate of industrial building writing down
allowance where a limited company’s
h) Relief for trading losses chargeable period falls into two financial
i) Understand how trading losses can be years.
carried forward.[2]
ii) Explain how trading losses can be carried • The calculation of industrial buildings
forward following the incorporation of a allowance on the purchase of a
business.[2] secondhand industrial building. .
iii) Understand how trading losses can be
claimed against total income and • Additional loss relief in respect of a
chargeable gains.[2] trading loss made in the tax year 2008-
iv) Understand how additional loss relief 09.
allows a trading loss to be set against
trading profits of the previous 3 years.[2] • Investment income of a partnership.
v) Explain and compute the relief for trading
losses in the early years of a trade.[1] • The allocation of notional profits and
vi) Explain and compute terminal loss relief.[1] losses for a partnership.
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f) Explain the treatment of property owned jointly
• The averaging of profits for authors and by a married couple, or by a couple in a civil
creative artists. partnership.[1]
c) Compute the amount of income tax payable.[2] 1. The scope of corporation tax
d) Explain the treatment of interest paid for a a) Define the terms ‘period of account’,
qualifying purpose.[2] ‘accounting period’, and ‘financial year’.[1]
e) Explain the treatment of gift aid donations.[1] b) Recognise when an accounting period starts
and when an accounting period finishes.[1]
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Excluded topics
c) Explain how the residence of a company is
determined.[2] • Research and development expenditure.
• The purchase by a company of its own b) Explain the implications of receiving franked
shares. investment income.[2]
• Personal service companies. c) Explain how exemptions and reliefs can defer
or minimise corporation tax liabilities.[2]
2. Profits chargeable to corporation tax
Excluded topics
a) Recognise the expenditure that is allowable in
calculating the tax-adjusted trading profit.[2] • The corporate venturing scheme.
b) Explain how relief can be obtained for pre- 4. The effect of a group corporate structure for
trading expenditure.[1] corporation tax purposes
c) Compute capital allowances (as for income a) Define an associated company and recognise
tax).[2] the effect of being an associated company for
corporation tax purposes.[2]
d) Compute property business profits.[2]
b) Define a 75% group, and recognise the reliefs
e) Explain the treatment of interest paid and that are available to members of such a
received under the loan relationship rules.[1] group.[2]
f) Explain the treatment of gift aid donations.[2] c) Define a 75% capital gains group, and
recognise the reliefs that are available to
g) Understand how trading losses can be carried members of such a group.[2]
forward.[2]
d) Compare the UK tax treatment of an overseas
h) Understand how trading losses can be claimed branch to an overseas subsidiary.[2]
against income of the current or previous
accounting periods.[2] e) Calculate double taxation relief.[2]
i) Recognise the factors that will influence the f) Explain the basic principles of the transfer
choice of loss relief claim.[2] pricing rules.[2]
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a) Compute capital gains for both individuals and
• Pre-entry gains and losses. companies.[2]
a) Describe the scope of capital gains tax.[2] a) Identify when chattels and wasting assets are
exempt.[1]
b) Explain how the residence and ordinary
residence of an individual is determined.[2] b) Compute the chargeable gain when a chattel is
disposed of.[2]
c) List those assets which are exempt.[1]
c) Calculate the chargeable gain when a wasting
Excluded topics asset is disposed of.[2]
• Assets situated overseas and double d) Compute the exemption when a principal
taxation relief. private residence is disposed of.[2]
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f) Identify the amount of letting relief available
when a principal private residence has been let a) Explain and apply entrepreneurs’ relief as it
out.[2] applies to individuals. [2]
e) Explain the exemption available for gilt-edged a) Describe the scope of national insurance.[1]
securities and qualifying corporate bonds.[1]
2. Class 1 and Class 1A contributions for
Excluded topics employed persons
Excluded topics
• The small part disposal rules applicable to
rights issues. • The calculation of directors’ national
insurance on a month by month basis.
• Substantial shareholdings.
• Contracted out contributions.
• Gilt-edged securities and qualifying
corporate bonds other than the fact that 3. Class 2 and Class 4 contributions for self-
they are exempt. employed persons
6. The use of exemptions and reliefs in deferring • The offset of trading losses against non-
and minimising tax liabilities arising on the trading income.
disposal of capital assets
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F VALUE ADDED TAX
• Imports, exports and trading within the
1. The scope of value added tax (VAT) European Community
b) List the principal zero-rated and exempt • In respect of property and land: leases, do-
supplies.[1] it-yourself builders, and a landlord's option
to tax.
2. The VAT registration requirements
• Penalties apart from those listed in the
a) Recognise the circumstances in which a person study guide (repeated misdeclarations are
must register for VAT.[2] excluded).
d) Explain how and when a person can deregister b) Describe the annual accounting scheme, and
for VAT.[1] recognise when it will be advantageous to use
the scheme.[2]
Excluded topics
c) Describe the flat rate scheme, and recognise
• Group registration. when it will be advantageous to use the
scheme.[2]
3. The computation of VAT liabilities
Excluded topics
a) Explain how VAT is accounted for and
administered.[2] • The second-hand goods scheme.
b) Recognise the tax point when goods or services • The capital goods scheme.
are supplied.[2]
• The special schemes for retailers.
c) List the information that must be given on a
VAT invoice.[1] G THE OBLIGATIONS OF TAX PAYERS AND/OR
THEIR AGENTS
d) Explain and apply the principles regarding the
valuation of supplies.[2] 1. The systems for self-assessment and the
e) Recognise the circumstances in which input making of returns
VAT is non-deductible.[2]
a) Explain and apply the features of the self-
f) Compute the relief that is available for assessment system as it applies to
impairment losses on trade debts.[2] individuals.[2]
g) Explain the circumstances in which the default b) Explain and apply the features of the self-
surcharge, a serious misdeclaration penalty, assessment system as it applies to
and default interest will be applied.[1] companies.[2]
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READING LIST
a) Recognise the time limits that apply to the
filing of returns and the making of claims.[2] ACCA’s official publishers:
b) Recognise the due dates for the payment of tax BPP Learning Media
under the self-assessment system.[2] Contact number: +44(0)20 8740 2222
Website: www.bpp.com
c) Compute payments on account and balancing
payments/repayments for individuals.[2] Kaplan Publishing
Contact number: +44(0)118 989 0629
d) Explain how large companies are required to Website: www.kaplanpublishing.co.uk
account for corporation tax on a quarterly
basis.[2] Additional reading:
e) List the information and records that taxpayers A Horner and R Burrows, Tolleys Tax Guide, Tolley
need to retain for tax purposes.[1] Publishing, ISBN 1860128319
b) State the penalties that can be charged.[2] Updated for capital allowance changes including
temporary first-year allowance.
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