Canadian Income Tax Law

This course will address basic income taxation in Canada, with a focus on the individual natural person.  Students will learn about the structure and function of the Income Tax Act, including socio-economic discussions relating to tax policy, including those relating to inequality, redistribution, economic efficiency, and public finance.  In terms of substantive law, the course will look at topics like employment income, business or property income, capital property, interest, and dividends, and how different cash flows can be taxed in different ways.  

The course endeavors to present students with a rigorous understanding of Canadian tax law and its underlying policy.  It is intended that this course will prepare students to be able to think in-depth about complex legal, political, and economic topics: much of the course will focus on teaching students the skills necessary for a successful career in law.  As such, the course will aim to perfect students’ ability to think transactionally as a lawyer would, to interpret complex legislative provisions, and to read case law.  Accordingly, the class is designed to benefit students more broadly beyond those who wish to practice and engage in further studies in taxation.