Part A:

Recently there has been discussion in both the Australian and international media, and debate in the European Parliament, concerning the proposal to tax smart autonomous robots (robots) that are said to be replacing human employees in many industries.

The co-founder of Microsoft, Bill Gates, has expressed his views in an interview with Quartz https://qz.com/911968/bill-gates-the-robot-that-takes-your-job-should-pay-taxes/

Task

Using several sources, identify and explain the arguments for and against the proposal to tax robots. Which arguments do you find most persuasive: The arguments for, or the arguments and against, and why?

Your response should include, but not be limited to, discussion of:

the meaning and purpose of taxation

what is meant by smart autonomous robot

possible impacts on the Australian tax base if there is an increased reliance on a smart autonomous robotic workforce and how to address these impacts

how a smart autonomous robotic workforce could be taxed who would pay?

PartB:

Task

Beta Pty Ltd itself a large business purchased a robotic machine from its parent company Alpha Pty Ltd for $500,000 on 1 January 2017. The market value on that date was $300,000. Alpha Pty Ltd owned the machine for 3 years and used the prime cost method when calculating its depreciation deductions. The robotic machine has an effective life of 8 years.

What is the decline in value of the robotic machine for Beta Pty Ltd this income year?Provide calculation and reasons for your answer.