LL4Z1 Half Unit
Business Taxation: Principles and Practice
This information is for the 2025/26 session.
Course Convenor
Eduardo Baistrocchi
Availability
This course is available on the LLM (extended part-time), LLM (full-time), MSc in Law and Finance and University of Pennsylvania Law School LLM Visiting Students. This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit. This course uses controlled access as part of the course selection process.
How to apply: Priority will be given initially to LLM, MSc Regulation and MSc Law and Finance students on a first-come-first-served allocation.
Spaces permitting, requests from all other students will be processed on the same first-come-first-served allocation from 10am on Thursday 2 October 2025
By submitting an application, students are confirming that they meet any pre-requisites specified. Providing an additional written statement will not aid a student's chances of being accepted onto a course, and statements are not read.
Deadline for application: Not applicable
For queries contact: Law.llm@lse.ac.uk
This course is recommended for those studying LL4AY International Tax Systems and LL4Z2 Resolving International Tax Disputes: A Global Perspective
This course has a limited number of places (it is controlled access) and demand is typically high. This may mean that you’re not able to get a place on this course.
The course will be relevant to the following LLM specialisms: Corporate and Commercial Law and Taxation.
Course content
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to business taxation using United Kingdom law as a case study. It focuses on how businesses, both incorporated and unincorporated, are taxed in the UK. Focusing on the key elements of UK business income taxation offers a useful example of business taxation in any country. These elements include an outline of the UK tax system, taxation of trading income, tax relief for losses, corporation tax and the nature of taxes on companies, taxation of dividends and other distributions, capital allowances (relief for depreciation), capital gains taxation, and partnership taxation.
Teaching
2 hours of seminars in the Spring Term.
20 hours of seminars in the Autumn Term.
This course has a reading week in Week 6 of Autumn Term.
Formative assessment
Students will have the option of producing a formative essay of 2,000 words.
Indicative reading
Revenue Law: Principles and Practice, Bloomsbury Professional;
Edward J. McCaffery, Income Tax Law, Oxford University Press;
Tolley's Yellow Tax Handbook;
Eduardo Baistrocchi, Global Tax Hubs, Florida Tax Review (2025). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4544786.
Detailed reading lists will be provided during the course via Moodle.
Assessment
Exam (100%), duration: 150 Minutes in the Spring exam period
Key facts
Department: LSE Law School
Course Study Period: Autumn and Spring Term
Unit value: Half unit
FHEQ Level: Level 7
CEFR Level: Null
Total students 2024/25: 21
Average class size 2024/25: 21
Controlled access 2024/25: YesCourse selection videos
Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.
For this course, please see the following link/s:
LL4Z1 Business Taxation: Principles and Practice Course Guide Video https://youtu.be/y01u3CW3x6s
Personal development skills
- Communication
- Specialist skills