Exam technique and guidance in respect of the exam
There are six non-technical articles that focus on the structure of the exam and exam technique.
- ‘Passing the ATX–UK exam’, which sets out general comments from the examining team on what candidates need to do in order to pass the exam.
- ‘Stepping up from TX–UK to ATX–UK’, which provides guidance on the progression from TX–UK to ATX–UK in terms of the syllabus, the style and format of the exam, and the approach necessary to maximise your chance of success.
- ‘Examiner’s approach to ATX–UK’, which explains the structure of the ATX–UK exam and the skills required of candidates.
- 'Guidance on answering Section A questions in ATX–UK’, which provides detailed guidance on the approach to be taken when answering Section A questions.
- ‘Exam technique and fundamental technical issues for ATX–UK’, which provides exam technique guidance and also covers some fundamental technical areas within the ATX–UK syllabus. Note that this article does cover some technical content in addition to exam technique.
- ‘Improving your performance in ATX–UK’, a series of five articles which provide detailed guidance on various aspects of exam technique.
Technical articles
There are eight technical articles to support you in your studies. In addition, as covered above, the article ‘Exam technique and fundamental technical issues for ATX–UK’ does also cover some technical issues.
Income tax
‘Taxation of the unincorporated business – the new business’
Covers some of the issues relating to a new business including the choice of business vehicle and the first years of trading. This is not an introductory article; it is relevant to students coming to the end of their studies and finalising their preparations to sit the exam.
‘Taxation of the unincorporated business – the existing business’
Covers some of the issues relating to extraction of profits and the final years of a business. This is not an introductory article; it is relevant to students coming to the end of their studies and finalising their preparations to sit the exam.
‘International aspects of personal taxation’
Begins with some basic rules, an understanding of which enables the particular areas of tax affected by an individual coming to, or leaving, the UK to be identified. It then goes on to review those areas in some detail, and provides a clear set of questions to ask in order to determine an individual’s liability to UK taxes. Finally, it deals briefly with the impact of double tax relief and treaties.
Capital taxes and trusts
‘Inheritance tax and capital gains tax’
Relevant to students coming to the end of their studies and finalising their preparations to sit the exam. It examines the position where both taxes are relevant to a transaction and illustrates some of the matters that need to be considered when giving advice in the context of the ATX-UK exam. It does not include comprehensive explanations of the two taxes but assumes a reasonable knowledge of the rules.
‘Trusts and tax’
Sets out the rules that may be examined and those areas where knowledge is not required. Considers the various types of trust and the capital gains tax and inheritance tax implications of transferring assets to a trust and property passing absolutely to beneficiaries.
Corporation tax
‘Corporation tax’
Concerns the taxation of a company as it begins trading, acquires an additional business, and eventually invests overseas. It sets out the commercial decisions taken by the company and its shareholders at the different stages in the company’s development and summarises the tax implications of those decisions.
‘Corporation tax – Group relief’
Principally concerned with group relief. This is not an introductory article; it is relevant to students coming to the end of their studies and finalising their preparations to sit the exam. It begins by briefly summarising the rules relating to both group relief groups and capital gains groups. It then goes on to consider a number of group relief tax planning issues that could be introduced in an exam question. It does not include comprehensive explanations of the rules but assumes a reasonable knowledge.
‘Corporation tax – Groups and chargeable gains’
Principally concerned with capital gains groups. This is not an introductory article; it is relevant to students coming to the end of their studies and finalising their preparations to sit the exam. It begins by briefly summarising the rules relating to both group relief groups and capital gains groups. It then goes on to consider various issues relating to capital gains groups that could be introduced in an exam question. It does not include comprehensive explanations of the rules but assumes a reasonable knowledge.
