Registered AITI Tax Qualification Info and Questions

Mr. Incognito

http://www.taxireland.ie/services/aboutRegTaxCon.aspx

If anyone has any questions, discussing exams etc please keep them in this thread.

Basically there are 12 Exams.

First Sitting:

Law, Accountancy, Income and Corporation Tax, CGT

Second Sitting (part twos)

CAT, Income Tax 1, Indirect Tax (VAT 1), Corporation Tax 1,

Final Sitting (Part threes)

Tax Management and Ethics, Income Tax 2, Corporation Tax 2, Indirect Tax (VAT) 2

These buggers are HARD. Pass rate hovers around 50-55% for first sittings part two and 40-45% first sittings part threes.

Phrio

Question there for anyone in the know...

Do you have to be working in a tax accountants to register for and sit these exams?

Teej

There are no requirements to be working in tax accountants to register and there are no practical experience requirements to attain membership. Check out the Institute website on how to register and ed requirements: http://www.taxireland.ie/about/CareersinTax.aspx
Good luck if you go for it

Legend100

Thinking about doing the AITI myself after i do the FAE in September. Was just wondering if anyone knows if you can claim tax relief on the tuition fees for the two years (part 2&3) since id say i'l be paying for them myself

Mr. Incognito

No they wouldn't qualify as full time third level educational course- no relief is available for them afaik

foxy06

I think it depends on the college you study with. For eg. I could have claimed tax relief for doing the IATI if I had studied with DBS but because I did it in Bray I couldn't.

paddylast

Hi all

My background: Out of college 3 yrs now and been working in the IFSC as fund accountant rising to senior fund accountant. took the job to get a bit of experience and didnt intend to stay on as long. am looking to move away from Accountantcy and audits.

I have been considering doing the Aiti exams for some time now and just have a few questions for those in the know


1. Where can you see past papers? cant see anything on ITI site.

2. I would like to build up experience in the area. What job title should i be looking for as irishjobs.ie just mentions senior tax positons.

3. I am interested in the whole area of property tax. Are there oportunities to specialise in that area?

4. From looking at many other posts there are alot of people combining an accountancy qualification with the AITI. is it a disadvantage to just have the AITI?

Thanks!

misspiggy40

Hi there. You have to be a student and be able to log in as one to view the past papers. They also send you a book of past papers and solutions for each subject you enrol for. I got exemptions from 3 part 1 papers and am sitting the fourth, CGT, exam in August. You are welcome to my book of past papers and solutions after that.

Meanwhile if you rang and said you were interested but would like to see some papers to give you a feel for the standard I would not think there would be a problem with them sending you out something.

Legend100

I just have a question for someone who might have gone from finishing ACA to do the tax exams.

I'm sitting the FAE next month and per the ITI website
"Unqualified accountants (ACA, ACCA, CPA) who have passed the final taxation paper in their Associateship Examinations" will be exempt for all of part 1.

Problem is of course that the results are out for FAE on 13th November. Does anybody know if I could apply at that stage for the summer sitting of part 2 if I pass the ACA tax paper or is it too late. Really don't want to have to wait the year!

Bren1609

AFAIK you can pending your exam reults. Check with the ITI.

betonit

Hi,
I'd like to hear some opinions on the TMITI qualification.

Does it stand up on its own as a qualification?
Can you get work with this qualification alone?

Any views on a 30 something IT experience doing this and pursuing a career in taxation?

It costs a few bob and you cant claim tax relief for it so any info would be great.

Thanks

inspiroo

Legend100 wrote: »

I just have a question for someone who might have gone from finishing ACA to do the tax exams.

I'm sitting the FAE next month and per the ITI website
"Unqualified accountants (ACA, ACCA, CPA) who have passed the final taxation paper in their Associateship Examinations" will be exempt for all of part 1.

Problem is of course that the results are out for FAE on 13th November. Does anybody know if I could apply at that stage for the summer sitting of part 2 if I pass the ACA tax paper or is it too late. Really don't want to have to wait the year!

Registration closes 30th Nov 09 so you should be ok. Also the AITI appears to be revamped...some continuous assessment in Jan, exams must be passed in 4 consecutive exam sittings...no more system of credits..

http://www.taxireland.ie/images/FINAL_Version_AITI_Handbook_09-10_Web.pdf

Adotsy

Legend100 wrote: »

Thinking about doing the AITI myself after i do the FAE in September. Was just wondering if anyone knows if you can claim tax relief on the tuition fees for the two years (part 2&3) since id say i'l be paying for them myself

Here's a link to the Revenue website for claiming relief on tuition fees. The ITI doesn't appear as an approved course/institute.

http://www.revenue.ie/en/tax/it/reliefs/tuition-fees.html

However, the firm i work for pay my fees and then deduct them from my wages over 6 months (to help with my cashflow). I don't get taxed on the amount deducted from my wages and, therefore, effectively get tax relief on the fees. If my firm are doing it then the rest of them probably are too.

Legend100

cheers for the replies, yeah got my handbook from the institute the other day so thinking i might go with the new second sitting

eposhea

hey guys!

hope i am not repeating the questions here! anyway, i am thinking about sitting the Tax exams. I am not working in Tax, and the main reasons for doing the exams would be that you dont have to be, and that the classes are only once a month!

my question relates to the time commitment outside of class time. how many hours (approx, i know hard to say) would you need to put in for someone who does not have a tax background?

another question - the Student Handbook says that registration is Sept 11, does that mean it starts then? or registration is only for one day?

thanks for all your help!

paddylast

Timetable is on the taxireland website.

Registration is on or before Sept 11 and classes start weekend 3/4 oct.

Hank_Scorpio

Feel free to contact the Irish Taxation Institute regarding any queries.

http://www.taxireland.ie/Contact.aspx

cailinoBAC

I've sent an email to confirm whether the date is tomorrow. On some documents it is stated as November 30th. I'm not ready to make my application tomorrow, I mean, it's a lot of money involved! They only sent out the handbook just over 2 weeks ago, so that is way too soon. They also mentioned that online registration would be available in early September, but it's still listed as coming soon.
In the student handbook it lists Registration - September 11th and Registration closes as November 30th.
This doc says deadline is September 11th but at the end of page 3 it says that the application must be submitted by November 30th.
http://www.taxireland.ie/documents/general/Part_2_AITI_New_Student_Registration(5).pdf

cailinoBAC

I got this reply this morning –

Registration is open until 30th November, lectures commence in October and early registration by 11th September is advised so that you receive your course materials on time.
Online registration will open in the coming days; alternatively you can send a hard copy registration form which can be printed off here http://www.taxireland.ie/education/34985.aspx

paddylast

thats good to hear. im still deciding whether to do the tax exams.

If you have completed two or more modules in law or accounting there is a chance to get exempt from those two subjects in part 1. could save you a few hundred on the part 1 fees

Legend100

i forgot to post this earlier.....(apologies)

i got an email from the institute during the week saying online registration is now open.

I'd say i'l have to wait for the summer course myself given the fees

paddylast

Legend100 wrote: »

i forgot to post this earlier.....(apologies)

i got an email from the institute during the week saying online registration is now open.

I'd say i'l have to wait for the summer course myself given the fees

With the summer course you register and pay before April deadline next year am i correct?

I cant see the timetable for the summer course...would it be lectures almost every weekend as is a short time from start of course to exams?

Legend100

Yes that is correct about the fees

Just looking at the timetable for part 2 for the winter course and it is 14 lectures in total with it being 7 weekends (sat and sun) once per month

I would assume it would be the same for the summer course but prob not as big a break between the weekends as is the case with the winter timetable

buzzing

considering doing the tax exams....
how hard are they? heard part 3 very tough is that true?
some conditions that i came across is that the if one decides to sit the aiti exam are as follows

you get exemption from part 1 if ur aca,acca within 1 yr [LIST=1)if you dont use the tax exams within 3 yr - there no use due to the market being difficult to get employment opportunities is it good to sit if one cant get a job in ireland - as the aiti is related to ireland to irl only any advice appreciated Regards B

Howjoe1

can someone confirm if you can do the course through distance studying ?

What are the typical days and times if you have to attend lectures ?

Kingkong

Two questions:

(1) Is there any cross regonition agrrement the AITI have with there similar counterpart in the UK similar to that with ICAI.

(2) Does anyone know what the continuous assessment in January for the Part 3 is about and what is involved?

bishops palace

Just wondering was anyone at the Part 1 CGT lecture in Cork on 18th October? I missed this lecture as I've only registered this week. Just wondering what was covered.

Any help would be great.

Cheers

davnitt

Hi All,

I am just looking for some advice. I’m trying to decide between two contracts at the mo, one company wants me to do the ACA and then the AITI and the other wants me to do the AITI and then maybe the ACA later if I want. I know to be a tax consultant the main qualification is the AITI but I am just wondering is the ACA beneficial to pursuing a career in Tax or is just like having an extra qualification? I only have two exemptions in part 1 in both exams so I am thinking pursuing both will be a very long route. Any opinions would be much appreciated!!

dustyrip

davnitt wrote: »

Hi All,

I am just looking for some advice. I’m trying to decide between two contracts at the mo, one company wants me to do the ACA and then the AITI and the other wants me to do the AITI and then maybe the ACA later if I want. I know to be a tax consultant the main qualification is the AITI but I am just wondering is the ACA beneficial to pursuing a career in Tax or is just like having an extra qualification? I only have two exemptions in part 1 in both exams so I am thinking pursuing both will be a very long route. Any opinions would be much appreciated!!

Personally I don't think that you would need ACA if you have your AITI and intend staying in tax for the rest of your career. The only thing is that ACA would be regarded as a more global qualification, as AITI is restricting you to just Irish tax. At the end of the day its all about money, and I am not sure that you will get much more from having both qualifications rather than just one. All depends on your own situation and what you think you would enjoy studying the most as both courses are vast. I failed ACA and was let go last year so my opinion might be slightly biased towars AITI. I do know of lots of people who can't pass there 'Part 3's' as they are Notorious exams..

Legend100

Anyone done anything for the continuous assessment yet for Part 2, i haven't made the lectures yet (gona start soon!!) so not really sure what to expect from the exam at the end of the month

misspiggy40

Sorry if I am stating the obvious,:rolleyes: but have you looked at the sample on their website. I am not doing it til June, for August sitting but also because I would like to see a real one as well as the example. My reading of it is that it is open book, 1.5HRS and that, even if you did horrendously, you continue on to do your exam even if you have not passed it. Is that your understanding of it too??

Mr. Incognito

The continuous assessment is open book so to speak and at part three level is 15% of the personal tax exam. This was based on feedback from prior students that they can have an opportunity to sit a trial run so to speak and get constructive feedback on where they went wrong and right.

I think it is a good idea as it forces you to get to grips with the course early and not leave everything to the last minute, which with the breadth of the course is a guaranteed fail and also to get you used to the format.

We'll have to see how this affects pass rates in future but the old format ended up failing near on 60% on a first attempt at part three so it can't be a bad thing imo.

Legend100

Yeah had quick look at the sample alright but was just worried that since i havent been to the lectures, that may be at a disadvantage on how to answer the questions. From looking at the solution, the method of answering is considerably different than when i did tax at the FAE. Much more theory re case law and rules rather than just the comp.

I know that we can bring in the Acts but can we bring in our manual aswel, thought i saw somewhere on the ITI site that you can but thought it might be wrong since we can't bring it into the April exam

Mr. Incognito

From the AITI website:

As per the AITI Student Handbook 2009/2010 and as part of the reform of the AITI qualification, continuous assessment has been introduced for the following module at Part 3 for 2009/2010.

Module Advanced Personal Taxes
Material Learning outcomes covered in Chapters 1 to 6 of the Advanced Personal Taxes manual 2009/2010
Amount 15% of Advanced Personal Taxes
Date 23 January 2010 (July date to be confirmed)
Time 15:30 to 17:00
Length 1.5 hours
Venue Dublin The Burlington Hotel, Upper Leeson Street, Dublin 4
Cork The Clarion Hotel, Lapps Quay, Cork
Limerick Mary Immaculate, Room 301, South Circular Road, Limerick
Athlone The Sheraton Hotel, Gleeson Street, Athlone, Co Westmeath

Purpose of continuous assessment
Provide students with feedback on how they performed in an Advanced Personal Taxes exam before the end of term examination
Assess skills learnt in the research workshops

A sample paper will be available in the week commencing 14 December. These sample papers will be worked through at the January research workshops.

Impact on end of term exam:
Students must have sat continuous assessment before presenting for the summer/autumn exams
It is not necessary to have passed the continuous assessment before attempting the summer/autumn exams
Summer/autumn exam is now 85% of total Advanced Personal Taxes mark
The summer/autumn exam is 3.5 hours long and students are required to answer 5 out of 6 questions
Topics covered in the continuous assessment may also be examined in the end of term exam
Marks from continuous assessment and the end of term exam will be combined to determine if a student has passed (obtained a mark of 50% or higher) or failed Advanced Personal Taxes.

Students should note that they may only attempt continuous assessment once per academic year in either the January sitting (for the summer or autumn examinations) or in July (for the autumn examinations only).

Registration for continuous assessment and examinations
If you have registered on the course for 2009/2010, you should have also completed and submitted your examination registration form indicating when and where you intend to sit continuous assessment. If you have not already done so, please download this form from the website, complete and submit it immediately.



Examination regulations
Students should note that with the exception of references to the length of examination and exam hall material, the Rules for Examination Candidates in Section 11 of the AITI Student Handbook apply to continuous assessment.

What can you bring into the exam hall for continuous assessment?
Direct Tax Acts (Irish Taxation Institute) or Tax Acts (Tottels); and
Stamp Acts (Irish Taxation Institute)or Capital Taxes (Tottels); and
Law of Capital Acquisitions Tax (Irish Taxation Institute)or Capital Taxes (Tottels); and
The Advanced Personal Taxes manual (which may contain notes etc.)

Students are reminded that no annotations are permitted on the legislation for end of term examinations (please see Section 11 of the AITI Student Handbook for further details).

Results of CA
Results of CA will be published online to students in early March 2010. The model solution and examiners’ report will also be available by this date.

For those registered on the 09/10 winter course, tutors will take students through a model approach to the CA during the final Research Skills workshops in March.

I intend to sit continuous assessment in January 2010 and present for exams in the summer 2010 sitting? What if I fail these examinations?

If you fail your summer examination, you can repeat your examinations in the autumn sitting. The results from your January 2010 CA will carry forward. You may not repeat CA in July 2010.

If you chose to present for your examinations in 2011, you will be required to present for continuous assessment (as applicable) for 2011. The results from your January 2010 CA will not carry forward to the 2011 academic year.

I intend to sit Continuous Assessment in January 2010 or July 2010 and present for exams in the autumn sitting? What if I fail?

If you fail your autumn examination, you can present for your examinations in 2011. You will be required to present for continuous assessment (as applicable) for 2011. The results from your 2010 CA will not carry forward to the 2011 academic year.

Quirkes

Hi, thank god for this post i'm freaking out a bit here, feeling very overwhelmed with this year's part 3 exams, don't know anyone sitting them or who has sat them in the past so any advice or information would be greatly appreciated

First issue is what is this oecd thing the lecturers go on about?
(this is prob mad obvious but cant see it believe it or not i got my exams last year but feeling rather clueless :eek: )

Mr. Incognito

The OECD is a model treaty that is not binding but is used as a reference points by OECD members of which Ireland is a member. It is provided in the exam so don't worry about it too much. They asked a question in corporation tax before that related to articles in the OECD treaty and it was a matter of opening it and pretty much copying it out. Got me an A, was delighted when half the exam hall didn't even realise they had it bloody thing.

It's a persuasive authority where there is a gap in domestic legislation like transfer pricing in Ireland.

buttercup20

Hi,

Just looking for some advice please. I have the Graduateship from the Marketing Institute of Ireland. Qualified in 2001 and I am wondering if I would be exempt from all,none or part of AITI Year 1? I also have other exams and I would be classified as "Group 6 Exemptions" so I would be exempt from 1 subject in Year 1 anyway.

In relation to the Tax Technician course the Insitute runs if you successfully complete the year does it mean you go straight into Year 2 of the AITI?

Thanks for your help

Quirkes

Mr. Incognito wrote: »

The OECD is a model treaty that is not binding but is used as a reference points by OECD members of which Ireland is a member. It is provided in the exam so don't worry about it too much. They asked a question in corporation tax before that related to articles in the OECD treaty and it was a matter of opening it and pretty much copying it out. Got me an A, was delighted when half the exam hall didn't even realise they had it bloody thing.

It's a persuasive authority where there is a gap in domestic legislation like transfer pricing in Ireland.

Sweet, thanks, i used to think i was great at tax, till this year :eek:
Trying to eat the books at the moment cos have ca at weekend, but is like panic has struck in!! aagh
You should give grinds - you'd make a fortune you really seem to know your stuff :rolleyes:

betonit

buttercup20 wrote: »

Hi,


In relation to the Tax Technician course the Insitute runs if you successfully complete the year does it mean you go straight into Year 2 of the AITI?

Thanks for your help

You get no exemption for the AITI if you pass the technician course.
Plus even if you pass the Tech course you cant do the AITI unless you have a degree. You should be ok as you have a degree. Im screwed Im doing the TMITI, tis grand I like it, but i cant go on to do the AITI as I have no degree :mad:

Howjoe1

betonit wrote: »

You get no exemption for the AITI if you pass the technician course.
Plus even if you pass the Tech course you cant do the AITI unless you have a degree. You should be ok as you have a degree. Im screwed Im doing the TMITI, tis grand I like it, but i cant go on to do the AITI as I have no degree :mad:

Didn't think you needed a degree to do the AITI ?

misspiggy40

Hi Howjoel. I didn't have a degree when I started either but was coming from IATI which is one of their exemption groups. Anyhow, they can take your circumstances into account on a case by case basis. See below from their website.

Entry requirements

Applicants for the AITI qualification must hold, at minimum, an undergraduate degree at honours level (Level 8 of the National Qualifications Framework) or equivalent.

• A copy of an official certified transcript of your qualification is required to process an application
• Candidates who do not hold an honours degree or equivalent may be considered on a case-by case basis, through the recognition of work based learning. Applications should be submitted to Grace McRandal, Senior Manager by email gmcrandal@taxireland.ie with supporting documentation as appropriate.

The ITI may grant exemptions from certain papers where students have successfully completed examinations of an equivalent standard. For details on available exemptions, please click here.


The link is
http://www.taxireland.com/education/35601.aspx

Bye for now.;)

buttercup20

Hi,
Thanks to the response to my last post and it makes things much clearer. I am thinking of going for the AITI Tax Qualification. Would anyone be able to give a sample of what the questions are generally like in the exams? Anyone I have been talking to says the exams are very difficult. I have a degree and I'm up for the challenge but I would like to know a small bit about the exams questions before registeration to make sure I am actually able for the course.:) Thanks for your help

Mr. Incognito

Buttercup there are 12 exams, unless you have exemptions so it is impossible to just give you a random sample-

the breakdown of the subjects per exam is up on the ITI website so try there.

As for the questions, part 1 is basic. Part 2 is broad and Part 3 is application of all of the subjects in practical scenarios. There are 6 questions and you have to do 5. Time management is the biggest challenge as the questions can be quite long and you only have 3.5 hours to do 5.

buttercup20

Cool. Thanks for your reply you have outlined the parts in simple terms and they don't sound scary at all (despite what people have been saying) Looking forward to the challenge of starting the course!:)

TheScriptFan

Hi Buttercup, I know it's a while since you posted this but thought I would give you my feedback. I'm currently starting part 2 of the AITI, I'm a CPA so have some tax knowledge.
To me the main difficulty in the exams is application, you may know the rules for BES, retirement relief etc, but pulling it all together in one question can be difficult.
I did a B.A. first and found a significant jump from that to professional exams, but it's a similar format.
If you are looking to move areas, I think tax would be a good area to get into it. The laws are becoming increasingly more complicated and in these times people are prepared to pay good money to get sound tax advice to ensure they are making the most of all tax breaks as it can be quite tricky, penalties are also getting harsher for non-compliance.
It's not necessary to have an accountancy background to start the tax exams but obviously it's a huge advantage, but if you are prepared to put in the extra work, you would have no problem. The exams are specific, you will never get by on winging it and that's the harsh reality. Your personal life wil suffer while studying as they are time consuming, in saying that, the year is short, starts early Oct exams mid April for year two, so not even a full year.
If you are looking at a move of careers, it's one that will always be in demand. On a side note, I believe there will be an increasing demand for Company Secretaries so if you want to move but don't want to commit to a heavy study load maybe this may suit you.
Good luck!

Legend100

just wanted to say best of luck to everyone doing Part 1 or 2 next week, im doing part 2, dreading Vat but hoping the rest will be ok!

wweleven

Hey there,
Is anyone studying to sit Part 3 Tax Exams this May 2010 & freaking out about it like I am?? I feel I am never going to get it done and at this stage why bother. I'm not getting much time off work only a few days here and there between now and May. Is it enough time i wonder? I have alot to do!?

hoff1

do you need many years work experience before you become qualified

Mr. Incognito

Hey there,
Is anyone studying to sit Part 3 Tax Exams this May 2010 & freaking out about it like I am?? I feel I am never going to get it done and at this stage why bother. I'm not getting much time off work only a few days here and there between now and May. Is it enough time i wonder? I have alot to do!?

Take it easy Cadbury Rabbit- loads of time.

They are not a test of memory (in theory), but rather a test of application of the legislation and application.

Be disciplined on time, be familiar with the legislation and where everything is and get stuck into past papers now and you'll make it

wweleven

Thanks for that reply - I feel much better now. I know people who have failed them loads of times and it is just driving me crazy now!! Start this day 3 weeks so hopefully will get it all done and pass. It is great to get words of encouragement like yours instead of hearing negative feed back!!

REDSOCKS22

Hi

i'm just after doing the part 2 exams last week i have a good feeling i passed them and was thinking about doing part 3 in August. I was wondering has anyone every done this before or know any one that did and how did they get on??

any feed back on this would be grately appreciated cos i need to decide sooner rather than later think lectures start in about 2 weeks!

Tanx