Admission requirements
Prospective students are recommended to have completed a minimum of one year of university education. Proficiency in English, both verbal and written, is expected.
Description
Context
With the increased global mobility of capital and persons, the taxation of income and wealth, particularly of high-net-worth individuals, presents new challenges. Economic inequality is on the rise and the number of multi-millionaires and billionaires has grown at an unprecedented rate during the last decades. However, taxing these wealthy individuals is proving increasingly difficult as both wealth itself and the economic activities that generate it often transcend national boundaries.
Place within the minor ‘(Inter)national tax planning and policy’
This course is part of the advanced track of the minor ‘(Inter)national tax planning and policy’. The minor investigates the nature and impact of tax planning activities by individuals and companies as well as the policy responses by governments, both in domestic law and through international cooperation. This course focusses on taxation and tax avoidance by (ultra-)wealthy individuals and families, complementing themes explored in the course Tax in the boardroom, which focusses on the tax planning activities of multinational firms.
Content
This course provides a comprehensive overview of the different forms of wealth accumulation, wealth holdings and wealth transfers and the legal tools that governments use to tax them. We begin by examining the taxation of top labour incomes and business and capital incomes, highlighting the issue of tax competition between countries and tax avoidance by wealthy individuals, including the increasing use of preferential tax regimes. Next, we analyse how authorities address the taxation of wealth holdings in different forms, including stocks, cash and real estate. In addition, we focus on wealth transfer taxes, with particular emphasis on inheritance taxation and the intricacies of estate planning, both nationally and across multiple jurisdictions. Finally, we explore policy alternatives including proposals for supranational and international cooperation and policy responses currently being debated by the European Unition and the OECD.
Course objectives
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
explain key policies regarding the taxation of the origins, holdings and transfers of wealth;
identify how cross-border mobility of individuals, economic activities and wealth poses challenges to the effective taxation of wealthy individuals;
explain the reasons of increasing harmful personal income tax competition, understand the different types of preferential tax regimes offered by countries, and assess the harmfulness of these regimes;
develop reasoned proposals to reform, harmonize, or coordinate the taxation of wealthy individuals in light of the evolving global economic landscape.
Timetable
Zie MyTimetable.
Mode of instruction
Seminars
Number of (2 hour) seminars: 7
Names of lecturers: Mr.drs. B.N. van Ganzen and selected guest lecturers
Required preparation by students: required reading
Assessment method
Examination form(s)
- Written exam (100%).
The grade for this course is based on a final written exam. Depending on the number of students, we may opt for an oral instead of a written exam.
Retakes are possible for students who do not pass the exam, including those who were unable to take the exam due to extenuating circumstances (e.g., sick leave). The retake normally consists in a written exam. However, depending on the number of students, we may opt for an oral instead of a written retake.
Reading list
Obligatory course materials
Required reading will be announced on Brightspace.
Registration
Registration for courses and exams takes place via MyStudymap. If you do not have access to MyStudymap (guest students), look here (under the Law-tab) for more information on the registration procedure in your situation.
Contact
Coordinator: Mr.drs. B.N. van Ganzen
Work address: Kamerlingh Onnes Building, room B2.24
Contact information via: Secretariat Department of Tax Law
Telephone number; +31 (0) 71 527 7840
Institution/division
Institute: Institute of Tax Law and Economics
Department: Tax Law
Room number secretary: Kamerlingh Onnes Building, B2.11
Opening hours: 9.00 – 17.00 hrs
Telephone number secretary: +31 (0) 71 527 7840