Taxation and tax planning

Master 2025/2026

Type: Elective course (Corporate Finance)

Delivered by: Master's Programmes Curriculum Support

Where: Faculty of Economic Sciences

When: 2 year, 3 module

Open to: students of one campus

Language: English

ECTS credits: 3

Contact hours: 28

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Abstract

To follow the course «Taxation and Tax Planning» basic courses in Taxation and Corporate Finance are a recommended prerequisite. The following methods and forms of study are used in the course: – Lectures; – Classes (in-class case studies, work in small teams, presentations, discussion); – Home reading (mostly supplementary); – Self-study; – Exam assignment.

Learning Objectives

Study of taxation theories, which are used in modern government tax policies;
Obtaining of skills on conduction of an analysis of tax consequences for various types of transactions (between affiliated parties, financing, reorganizations, payment of dividends, secondment of personnel, etc.) and, thus, preparing students for the work in the field of tax consulting in internal tax departments and consulting firms;
Study of the global and Russian transfer pricing legislation, actual forms of tax reporting (notifications of controlled transactions, forms for preparation of transfer pricing documentation, reporting on controlled foreign companies);
Study of current tax planning methods (Advanced Pricing Agreements, motivated opinion of tax authorities in the frames of tax monitoring) and tax optimization schemes on the most voluminous taxes for companies: corporate income tax, value added, property tax;
Study of possibilities of elimination of double taxation due to the use of Double tax treaties, study of Multilateral tax treaties, study of the cases of formation and elimination of formation of a permanent establishment;
Study of modern approaches used in taxation in member countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, including counteraction on base erosion and profit shifting, the European Union, BRICS, EAEU;
Study of tax audit types and pre-trial methods, as well as the stages of legal appeals against tax authority decisions following tax audits;
Study of the measures of the governmental support of capital-intensive investment projects in the Russian Federation, connected with the provision of tax benefits and tax refunds on different taxes to the legal entities;
Study of concession agreements;
Student participation in project work related to the preparation of presentations on topics covered within the course.

Expected Learning Outcomes

Differentiates various theories of taxation and approaches to construction of a state tax system;
Demonstrates systematic and critical thinking, reliably determining the tax consequences of conduction of various types of transactions
Uses various information and special data sources to analyze and process data for making decisions about tax consequences, relevant for transactions
Applies strategic decision making frameworks, protecting a tax position of a real firm
Applies fluently specialized tax-related terms in English

Course Contents

Principles of organization of tax systems in developed and developing countries
Transfer pricing legislation.
Tax optimization schemes on the most voluminous taxes, payed by the taxpayers: corporate income tax, value added, property tax
Tax monitoring
Elimination of double taxation due to the use of Double tax treaties, study of Multilateral tax treaties, study of the cases of formation of and elimination of formation of a permanent establishment. Study of cases of application of a withholding tax;
Modern approaches used in taxation in member countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development
Tax audit types and pre-trial methods, stages of legal appeals against tax authority decisions following tax audits;
Measures of the governmental support of capital-intensive investment projects in the Russian Federation, connected with the provision of tax benefits and tax refunds on different taxes to the legal entities;
Principles of conclusion of concession agreements in different spheres of economy.

Assessment Elements

Group pitch on tax planning consequences
Oral discussion of the relevant themes of the course and written tests.
Multiple Tasks on application of DTT clauses
Oral discussion of the relevant themes of the course and written tests
Group pitch on national tax legislation in BRICs countries
Oral discussion of the relevant themes of the course and written tests.
Calculation of NPV
Oral discussion of the relevant themes of the course and written tests.
Exam

Interim Assessment

2025/2026 1st module
0.175 * Calculation of NPV + 0.3 * Exam + 0.175 * Group pitch on national tax legislation in BRICs countries + 0.175 * Group pitch on tax planning consequences + 0.175 * Multiple Tasks on application of DTT clauses

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

Taxation in finance and accounting : an introduction to theory and practice, Sarmento, J. M., 2023

Recommended Additional Bibliography

Taxation of company reorganisations, , 2020
Ulrich Schreiber. (2013). International Company Taxation. Springer. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsrep&AN=edsrep.b.spr.sptbec.978.3.642.36306.1

Authors

Скобелева Ирина Андарбековна
Чехлова Галина Сергеевна
SERDYUKOVA NATALYA VLADIMIROVNA
SYCHEVA VERA IVANOVNA

Course Syllabus