Is it OK to break the law if you are a Tory?

I think Zahawi should be investigated for possible criminal behaviour by HMRC and reference made to the CPS. It is disturbing that so many MPs seem to require disciplinary action for a variety of offences. Of course the ultimate responsibility for drawing up the tax rules rests with the government of the day and Parliament and any loopholes are their responsibility, not the taxpayer's. One wonders why there are so many off shore tax havens when access could be closed down

Avoidance is not illegal fp. And how on earth would you know about any caveat given by anyone’s advisers? This is pure supposition driven by hatred of a political party and of people who are rich.

Do you advocate the public airing of tax returns? I think it’s hard enough to contact Inland Revenue as it is without adding yet another layer of public scrutiny to their work load.

All I know is that it’s difficult to keep up to date with the latest tax laws and I think as a retired Tax Inspector even you might be challenged.

Germanshepherdsmum

Avoidance is not illegal fp. And how on earth would you know about any caveat given by anyone’s advisers? This is pure supposition driven by hatred of a political party and of people who are rich.

The spirit of the law is not being adhered to though is it? And as a legislator those not following “the spirit of the law” should imo forfeit their position - particularly as minister of the crown

I'm sorry, I know I'm in no position to laugh, but when the arguments are "You hate the rich" and "Tax Inspectors are really busy so they don't need more work", I don't think those are valid arguments.

It has been enshrined in tax law for many years that everyone is entitled to arrange their tax affairs in the most advantageous way they can, within the law. Not within ‘the spirit of the law’. Anyone can imagine what the spirit of the law might be, to suit their own agenda. What matters is the letter of the law.

Whitewavemark2 disagree. But what about those individuals who are seeking political power and are using the Zahawi case to a political end?

Germanshepherdsmum

Avoidance is not illegal fp. And how on earth would you know about any caveat given by anyone’s advisers? This is pure supposition driven by hatred of a political party and of people who are rich.

NO this just won't wash. If it was simple and 'honest' (!) avoidance, why would he pay up as soon as found out. If there was legally no tax to pay, why would he pay it to quash the case, rather than come clean and explain to us all?

Stop this jealousy nonsense. You have NO idea!

If it is just so simple to pay up if and when found out- then I am pretty sure (in fact I KNOW) that it is the advice given. Try it, you will probably get away with it. If get caught, hands up quick and pay, problem solved. And then we will blame any short-fall on the NHS costs and the poor, in the gutter Press we own (directly or indirectly).

volver

I'm sorry, I know I'm in no position to laugh, but when the arguments are "You hate the rich" and "Tax Inspectors are really busy so they don't need more work", I don't think those are valid arguments.

Scotland has its own tax inspectors. The English ones are really over worked.

The extent of your knowledge amazes me fp. There’s absolutely no point in my engaging further. Your mind is made up and closed.

🤦🏼

That was for ronib

Volver sorry couldn’t resist going to fairy land or wherever it was you last accused me. Yup Scottish tax rates do vary and are centrally Uk controlled.

That’s funny, I always thought that the BBC was very leftist and biased in that direction!

Agree with Fleurpepper that the system seems to be the issue. We have a system which has led to ever increasing inequality, with immoral differences in salaries between the lowest and highest paid ( including those who have built up a successful business). We should not have people in full time employment who need to rely on benefits to cover essential costs ( extra support for those with health or mobility issues should still be provided where needed and is a separate issue).
It certainly often appears that the very rich can "get away with" behaviour which is unacceptable by hiring the best accountants and lawyers and "coming to agreements" about what tax they will pay, for example.
Ordinary folk ( eg postmasters, small businesses accused of paying wrong amount of VAT) can be jailed, lose everything, or face massive fines following less serious or false accusations. Is it unrealistic to expect that those elected to represent their constituents and paid a pretty good basic salary to do so, would be the sort of people who would contribute at least the tax they legally owe and would take their job seriously enough not to take on several other "jobs/roles/directorships" in addition?

Cheat the government out of a few thousand through benefit fraud and you're likely to feel the full weight of law upon you. But when it comes to tax evasion amounting to millions (or 'conning' them out of similar amounts for non-existent PPE schemes), you're likely to be rewarded with a peerage

How true!
Easy to catch the small fry as they do not have supporters in government.

ronib

volver

I'm sorry, I know I'm in no position to laugh, but when the arguments are "You hate the rich" and "Tax Inspectors are really busy so they don't need more work", I don't think those are valid arguments.

Scotland has its own tax inspectors. The English ones are really over worked.

Could it (just by chance !) be very intentional???

Fleurpepper I don’t know I’m still away with the fairies… they make more sense to me at the moment! Good luck with your discussions.

ronib

Volver sorry couldn’t resist going to fairy land or wherever it was you last accused me. Yup Scottish tax rates do vary and are centrally Uk controlled.

Scottish tax rates vary?

Why has nobody told me this before?!?!?

🤦🏼(again.)

zahawi got caught that's all,how many don't get caught,the majority is my guess? Benefit fraud ,2 billion, corporate fraud 200 billion and rising? who are the real crooks?

ronib

volver

I'm sorry, I know I'm in no position to laugh, but when the arguments are "You hate the rich" and "Tax Inspectors are really busy so they don't need more work", I don't think those are valid arguments.

Scotland has its own tax inspectors. The English ones are really over worked.

The English tax inspectors are really overworked because the tories have cut funding to them over the past 12 years.

If the state wants an effective tax inspectorate it has to pay for it.

MaizieD Inland Revenue has different bands of tax inspectors I think and areas of expertise. My brother used to enjoy using his warrant card on dawn raids but I don’t think he covered the area of tax law which interested Dan Neidle and tax havens etc. It’s a very complex and changing area as I understand it.

Johnson set this very low bar. Although there are some Labour MPs I dislike, I am looking forward to a Labour govt

ronib

MaizieD Inland Revenue has different bands of tax inspectors I think and areas of expertise. My brother used to enjoy using his warrant card on dawn raids but I don’t think he covered the area of tax law which interested Dan Neidle and tax havens etc. It’s a very complex and changing area as I understand it.

I know it does. But that doesn't do anything about shortage of funding, does it?

MaizieD do you have any figures at your disposal te funding for Inland Revenue because it sounds like an own goal not to have a good and effective tax collection system.