18/19 Tax return questions

[AnthonyB]

Given that HMRC have both won and lost court cases based on these questions and tax advisors charge thousands to give you an opinion how is a layman supposed to confidently answer the below questions from HMRC?

My previous employer tells me I have not.
A tax advisor, at a glance said if what your employer is saying is correct they are 'probably right'?

How am I, as a mere mortal that hasn't studied tax law and doesn't have the power to make a legal judgement, supposed to answer these questions?

I have gone for 'no' on both and then caveated that with a two page summary of my previous employment stating that I believe the answer is no but I also believe I am not qualified to make such a decision.

Isn't an ISA, a dividend and a pensions tax avoidance? When I pay in to my pension, I avoid tax? So surely the whole country is answering 'yes' to the first question...

Any thoughts on this?


Have you used one or more tax avoidance schemes?
Yes
No
Do you need to disclose any income from disguised remuneration avoidance schemes? If you received any disguised remuneration loans between 6 April 1999 and 5 April 2019 and they have not been fully repaid or you still owe tax on an outstanding amount, select yes.

[ladymuck]

Have you ever signed up to a scheme like those discussed in the HMRC Scheme Enquiries sub forum that were set up using arcane arts to save you tax, with a of promise of 85%+ take home pay and some kind of loan arrangement?

If yes then it's a yes.

If all you've ever done is put money into an ISA then it's a no.

If your accountant isn't sure that that the way you've been paid in the past isn't a tax avoidance scheme then you could be on tricky ground.

Something tells me there's a lot you're not sharing.

[Scruff]

For the love of me, I couldn't figure out what your questions actually were?

[BolshieBastard]

Given that HMRC have both won and lost court cases based on these questions and tax advisors charge thousands to give you an opinion how is a layman supposed to confidently answer the below questions from HMRC?

My previous employer tells me I have not.
A tax advisor, at a glance said if what your employer is saying is correct they are 'probably right'?

How am I, as a mere mortal that hasn't studied tax law and doesn't have the power to make a legal judgement, supposed to answer these questions?

I have gone for 'no' on both and then caveated that with a two page summary of my previous employment stating that I believe the answer is no but I also believe I am not qualified to make such a decision.

Isn't an ISA, a dividend and a pensions tax avoidance? When I pay in to my pension, I avoid tax? So surely the whole country is answering 'yes' to the first question...

Any thoughts on this?


Have you used one or more tax avoidance schemes?
Yes
No
Do you need to disclose any income from disguised remuneration avoidance schemes? If you received any disguised remuneration loans between 6 April 1999 and 5 April 2019 and they have not been fully repaid or you still owe tax on an outstanding amount, select yes.

Seriously!?!

[zonkkk]

.
Isn't an ISA, a dividend and a pensions tax avoidance? When I pay in to my pension, I avoid tax? So surely the whole country is answering 'yes' to the first question...
[/I][/B]

Please tell me you're joking!

Just pay what you owe and get on with your life.
Or you may have no life after they catch up with you; see other threads.

[Lance]

If you’re finding it hard to answer then the answer is Yes.

[Old Greg]

Given that HMRC have both won and lost court cases based on these questions and tax advisors charge thousands to give you an opinion how is a layman supposed to confidently answer the below questions from HMRC?

My previous employer tells me I have not.
A tax advisor, at a glance said if what your employer is saying is correct they are 'probably right'?

How am I, as a mere mortal that hasn't studied tax law and doesn't have the power to make a legal judgement, supposed to answer these questions?

I have gone for 'no' on both and then caveated that with a two page summary of my previous employment stating that I believe the answer is no but I also believe I am not qualified to make such a decision.

Isn't an ISA, a dividend and a pensions tax avoidance? When I pay in to my pension, I avoid tax? So surely the whole country is answering 'yes' to the first question...

Any thoughts on this?


Have you used one or more tax avoidance schemes?
Yes
No
Do you need to disclose any income from disguised remuneration avoidance schemes? If you received any disguised remuneration loans between 6 April 1999 and 5 April 2019 and they have not been fully repaid or you still owe tax on an outstanding amount, select yes.

ISAs, dividends and pensions are not tax avoidance schemes. They are established by statute as intrinsic parts of the taxation structure. Any confusion around this is sown by dodgy scheme users who are trying to give themselves cover.

[ladymuck]

ISAs, dividends and pensions are not tax avoidance schemes. They are established by statute as intrinsic parts of the taxation structure. Any confusion around this is sown by dodgy scheme sellers who are trying to give themselves a veneer of respectability.

FTFY

[BlasterBates]

I have gone for 'no' on both and then caveated that with a two page summary of my previous employment stating that I believe the answer is no but I also believe I am not qualified to make such a decision.

Basically you've told them "yes". In any case they do routine checks on how much tax you've paid so if it's low then they'll investigate anyway,

You may as well send in an amendment as otherwise you might open yourself to a fine for ticking the wrong box. If it isn't an avoidance scheme you won't hear back from them because it will be clear that you have paid the tax on all your income.

What they won't do is ignore it because you ticked "no" in the box.

Generally I would go and see an accountant to see if you can straighten out your tax affairs before you end up on the wrong end of an investigation.

[northernladuk]

Have you ever signed up to a scheme like those discussed in the HMRC Scheme Enquiries sub forum that were set up using arcane arts to save you tax, with a of promise of 85%+ take home pay and some kind of loan arrangement?

If yes then it's a yes.

If all you've ever done is put money into an ISA then it's a no.

If your accountant isn't sure that that the way you've been paid in the past isn't a tax avoidance scheme then you could be on tricky ground.

Something tells me there's a lot you're not sharing.

It might be with pointing out he's been involved with a Pembroke scheme.....

https://www.contractoruk.com/forums/...sing-down.html