Let's not be hard on tax crooks...

[JohnD]

...if they're rich.

"HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has admitted for the first time that it allows the most powerful members of society to escape prosecution for financial crimes.

At an economic crime conference in Cambridge last week, a senior government official admitted that the tax authorities accommodated celebrities’ concerns and settled debts privately to avoid the embarrassment of a public trial.

HMRC, however, continues to prosecute smugglers, small businesses and benefits cheats."

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/we-allow-the-rich-to-escape-charges-admits-taxman-pb307srkq

"Richard Las, the deputy director of HMRC in charge of organised crime, said that “very wealthy and prominent members of the community” were afraid of the “reputational damage” that a criminal trial for fraud, money-laundering or tax evasion would bring."

Obviously not afraid enough.

 

[JohnD]

Chair of the Commons Public Accounts Committee, Meg Hillier said:

“This raises questions over the public’s equality under the law. Just because you have highly paid tax advisers, you must not be seen to be getting away with it.”

The damning admission follows on from HMRC’s refusal to assist a French prosecutor in a probe into LycaMobile allegedly avoiding taxes, simply because they were a major Tory donor.


Time for a change.

 

[SirGalahad]

No chance of a change as long as people still vote for parties that they think represent them and each time fail to do so.

 

[Notch7]

No chance of a change as long as people still vote for parties that they think represent them and each time fail to do so.

Yes, its a shame there is no realistic alternative party.

 

[noseall]

Yes, its a shame

….our current ruling elite cow down to the wealthy.

 

[bernardgreen]

and settled debts privately to avoid the embarrassment of a public trial.

HMRC got the money due to them and avoided the cost of a prosecution and trial.

Sounds good to me.

 

[motorbiking]

Yep - I can't see the downside and I would anticipate the same option being available to the less well known.

 

[Notch7]

Time for a change.

Yup, Fidel Castro: a champion of social justice

 

[Yafo]

Yup, Fidel Castro: a champion of social justice

Where was castro mentioned?

What is the relevance?

Happy to go along as we are?

 

[SirGalahad]

Yep - I can't see the downside and I would anticipate the same option being available to the less well known.

The disincentive to evade taxes is reduced because you can avoid damage to your reputation.

 

[Notch7]

Where was castro mentioned?

What is the relevance?

Happy to go along as we are?

Cant you work it out?

 

[noseall]

Cant you work it out?

Enlighten us notchy

 

[Notch7]

Enlighten us notchy

Oh dear, cant you work it out either.

 

[noseall]

Oh dear, cant you work it out either.

not a clue.

 

[JohnD]

notch doesn't like to see the failings of British society mentioned, so he tries to divert attention with talk of tropical islands