The Level 4 Certificate in Self-Assessment Taxation is made up of six topics:

1. Underpinning Knowledge
2. Entering Details of Personal Income onto a Self-Assessment Return
3. Entering Details of Business Income and Expenditure for Unincorporated Businesses onto the Relevant Returns
4. Chargeable Gains
5. Calculate Tax and National Insurance Contributions due and File Returns
6. Foreign Income and Residence Basis

The learning outcomes for each topic are listed below:

Topic 1 – Underpinning Knowledge

Learning Outcomes:
1.1 Duties and Responsibilities of the Bookkeeper / Tax Agent
1.2 Explain what is meant by the terms: Income Tax, Capital Gains Tax
1.3 Explain the principles of taxation appropriate to individuals, Sole Traders and Partnerships
1.4 Identify the main sources of Income and reliefs for an individual
1.5 Identify the types of returns that may be completed
1.6 Identify sources of assistance

Topic 2 – Entering Details of Personal Income onto a Self-Assessment Return

Learning Outcome:
2.1 Identify the main sources of personal income
2.2 Identify the various types of tax reliefs that can be claimed
2.3 Identify the elements of Employment Income and allowable expenses, and complete the relevant pages
2.4 Explain the types of Income from property and allowable expenditure and complete the relevant pages

Topic 3 – Entering Details of Business Income and Expenditure for Unincorporated Businesses onto the Relevant Returns

Learning Outcome:
3.1 Identify the returns that need to be completed by sole traders and partners
3.2 Explain the principle of basis periods applicable to sole traders and partnerships
3.3 Explain the purpose of, and determine, adjusted trading profits for sole traders and partnerships
3.4 Explain the purpose of Capital Allowances (Equipment, Motor Vehicles and Other)
3.5 Identify trading losses for individuals and partnerships
3.6 Complete the partnership return and the relevant section of the self-assessment return
3.7 Complete the relevant sections of the self-assessment return
3.8 Explain the purpose of Simpler Income Tax for the Simplest Small Business and complete the Self-Assessment Return

Topic 4 – Chargeable Gains

Learning Outcome:
4.1 Explain the elements of capital gains tax
4.2 Apply relief’s deferrals and exemptions
4.3 Explain the treatment of gains and losses

Topic 5 – Calculate Tax and National Insurance Contributions due and File Returns

Learning Outcome:
5.1 Determine taxable income and tax payable
5.2 Identify NI Contributions payable
5.3 Explain the procedure for payment and administration

Topic 6 – Foreign Income and Residence Basis

Learning Outcome:
6.1 Explain how to treat foreign income
6.2 Explain the criteria for residence and remittance

Further details on the learning outcomes, assessment criteria, grading, and more can be found by accessing the ICB’s Level 4 Certificate in Self-Assessment Tax Returns Syllabus

If you want to sit the exam, then you will need to be an ICB and hold a current, valid ICB Level 3 qualification.

Basic numerical skills and a good understanding of the English language would also be helpful.