HMRC Task Forces rake in over £109m

[NibblyPig]

The estimated 350-strong team also have the power to turn up, unannounced, to any business to inspect its premises and accounts - without a search warrant.

This is a bit worrying, exactly what powers do they have? I don't fancy some beancounter rifling through my underwear drawers

[northernladuk]

This is a bit worrying, exactly what powers do they have? I don't fancy some beancounter rifling through my underwear drawers

Register your business at your accountants address then.

[Alan @ BroomeAffinity]

Nothing especially new here. HMRC have been using targeted task forces for years. Bit concerned about the turning up announced but. I'll need to look into this.

[LondonManc]

Great idea and long overdue. Fed up of x, y and z boasting in the pub about their off the books work but I'm no grass. Takeaways should be the next target.

[LisaContractorUmbrella]

My only argument with all this is the media promoting the idea that paying tax is an issue of morality - it's not, it's an issue of law but it's in the Government's interest for Joe Public to support any and all tax legislation and the morality argument works in their favour

[Iliketax]

My only argument with all this is the media promoting the idea that paying tax is an issue of morality - it's not, it's an issue of law but it's in the Government's interest for Joe Public to support any and all tax legislation and the morality argument works in their favour

Can I ask why do you think it is not an issue of morality (as well as law)?

[unixman]

That's HMRC - keep chasing the little guy and turn a blind eye to the giants. HMRC could get this 109m and much more by just taxing Facebook properly. Perhaps they are still too busy accepting dinners from Vodafone? Or forgiving Goldman Sachs enormous tax debts ?

Happy to be schmoozed by Vodaphone. Happy to let GS off tens of millions. Happy to see Facebook paying 4k CT. But if the corner shop sends its tax return in a fortight late, Grrrr! HMRC gets angry!

[northernladuk]

Can I ask why do you think it is not an issue of morality (as well as law)?

She isn't saying that.

[MrMarkyMark]

But if the corner shop sends its tax return in a fortight late, Grrrr! HMRC gets angry!

Funny you should say that, my stepdad worked in the building trade, we had the VAT man as a "visitor" on a few occasions.

The old man said don't ever be late with your VAT return / payment, not a day late etc.

A few years ago I was off for a couple of months. Unfortunately when landing, at a fairly small island, in India, I then found my VAT cheque. .
I tried to post it there, knowing there was very little chance of it actually arriving.

It didn't.
When I rang HMRC, they said "Oh thats OK, we can see you usually pay on time".

It was over 2.5 months late, by that stage, no further action apart from to pay, the old man couldn't believe it .

[vadhert]

That's HMRC - keep chasing the little guy and turn a blind eye to the giants. HMRC could get this 109m and much more by just taxing Facebook properly. Perhaps they are still too busy accepting dinners from Vodafone? Or forgiving Goldman Sachs enormous tax debts ?

Happy to be schmoozed by Vodaphone. Happy to let GS off tens of millions. Happy to see Facebook paying 4k CT. But if the corner shop sends its tax return in a fortight late, Grrrr! HMRC gets angry!

You have to remember that Facetube, Starbocks etc pay millions in other tax vehicles such as PAYE, NI and staff employment. They aren't just getting away with it.