This article sets out the two issues which are relevant to success in the ATX (UK) exam: technical knowledge and exam technique.
You must know your stuff.
The following technical articles are available to support you in your studies.
‘Exam technique and fundamental technical issues for ATX (UK)’
Outlines two important aspects of examination technique and a number of fundamental technical areas which need to be mastered. This article is relevant to students who are beginning their studies and also those for whom the exam is imminent.
‘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 the extraction of profits from a business, change of accounting date 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.
‘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’
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.
Candidates who perform well in the exam have clearly practised questions from past exams. By doing so, they have become familiar with what to expect in the exam in terms of the style and content of the questions. This is particularly relevant to the often more intellectually demanding Section A style questions. The candidates who have practised past exam questions also improve their ability to adopt the style of the model answers, such that their answers are specific, direct and concise.
Successful candidates take care to focus their efforts on the requirements of the question.
Successful candidates do not provide general explanations or long introductions.
Successful candidates think before they start writing and manage their time throughout the exam.
The following non-technical articles are available to help you improve your performance in the exam.
If you are preparing to re-sit the exam, you should think about the number of additional marks you need and identify a strategy to earn them. For example:
Written by a member of the ATX (UK) examining team