BN66 - Round 2 (Court of Appeal)

[smalldog]

Sorry SD but you're labouring under the misconception that HMRC do a cost benefit analysis on things like this. They dont. They just see it as black and white. "The regulations say this. That being the case, we should be able to increase the tax take by xxx%"

Put it another way, HMRC are just a bunch of ignorant unts for this latest S660 failed attack. They really should have been severely criticised by the judge instead of the wrist slap she did give them.

BB I appreciate they dont do it, I just think its about time the public sector as a whole was dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st century and could justify actions on a loss/gain basis. I work in the public sector and its shocking how things operate. Living in such a difficult economic climate every spending decision should be scrutinized, and then scrutinized again to ensure there is sufficient probability of a return. Unfortunately it isnt the case in the area I work in, there are lots of institutionalized people, lots of dead wood who wouldnt stand a chance working in the private sector, lots of inefficiencies and as there is no shareholder tightening the screws spending decisions are not considered.

For example if you get given a budget spend it all and make sure you do or you wont get the same amount next year!!!! you should be rewarded for saving money, delivering on time and saving tax payers coffers but youre not. I wonder if this is a similar situation for HMRC, the big cheeses at HMRC HQ set a litigation budget for the year, and the management are scared not to use it as they know it will be whipped away the following year, so they find any of thing to litigate against just to ensure they spend it to justify it for next years budget....Thats a possible explanation of why they seem to act in a most peculiar way.

As you can see it frustrates the crap out of me, I see Cameron and Clegg talking about public cuts when I think they could save a lot by purely streamlining their departments and government bodies. We have been told there will be rate freezes or possible cuts, but are they looking at staffing across the board, or how they budge....of course not!!!!

hey ho..!!!! :-)

[Fireship]

HMRC: Rotten to the core

What nice folks the people working at HMRC are:

HMRC staff fired for racism over benefits

[DonkeyRhubarb]

What nice folks the people working at HMRC are:

HMRC staff fired for racism over benefits

"The vast majority of our people are entirely professional and one of the ways we support that professionalism is by taking decisive action against the tiny minority who let us all down by falling far short of those standards," said Dave Hartnett, permanent secretary for tax.

Jeez their standards must be bloody low if Dave thinks it's only a tiny minority who fall short of the mark.

I could give him the names of quite a few people who clearly don't even know the meaning of the word "professional".

[SantaClaus]

"The vast majority of our people are entirely professional and one of the ways we support that professionalism is by taking decisive action against the tiny minority who let us all down by falling far short of those standards," said Dave Hartnett, permanent secretary for tax.

Jeez their standards must be bloody low if Dave thinks it's only a tiny minority who fall short of the mark.

I could give him the names of quite a few people who clearly don't even know the meaning of the word "professional".

It does make you realise how vindictive the staff at HMRC are. I bet they were the ones bullied in school and feel the need to get their own back on society.

[Emigre]

"The vast majority of our people are entirely professional and one of the ways we support that professionalism is by taking decisive action against the tiny minority who let us all down by falling far short of those standards," said Dave Hartnett, permanent secretary for tax.

Jeez their standards must be bloody low if Dave thinks it's only a tiny minority who fall short of the mark.

I could give him the names of quite a few people who clearly don't even know the meaning of the word "professional".

Yes, you could start with Dave Hartnett. Thug to his mates, and **** to everyone else.

[smalldog]

I wonder if anyone at HMRC has the balls to investigate Mr Blairs web of companies, I assume all his tax returns have been accepted without question being one of the old boys?

[Emigre]

I wonder if anyone at HMRC has the balls to investigate Mr Blairs web of companies, I assume all his tax returns have been accepted without question being one of the old boys?

I think you'll find that Blair has been out of the country for the required number of days and so therefore avoids paying tax. We obviously need to get used to the idea that there is one rule for them and another for the rest of us.

I think the interesting question is whether his recent philanthropic gesture qualifies for gift aid...

[DonkeyRhubarb]

HMRC to soften stance on tax avoidance

FT.com / UK / Politics & policy - Tax officials to soften stance on avoidance
HMRC to soften stance on tax avoidance - New Model Adviser

[TAF4]

FT.com / UK / Politics & policy - Tax officials to soften stance on avoidance
HMRC to soften stance on tax avoidance - New Model Adviser

Which just goes to show that Hartnett is an astute political animal.
First he ingratiates himself with Brown by his draconian B&W stance, then he sucks up to the coalition with his discovery of the cost/benefits equation.

Suits me.

[normalbloke]

Hartnett is deluded.....

FT.com / UK / Politics & policy - Tax officials to soften stance on avoidance
HMRC to soften stance on tax avoidance - New Model Adviser

'HMRC is packed full of very intelligent people....."