BN66 - Round 2 (Court of Appeal)

[ASB]

TSBT the worst thing about this is they dont see the big picture. They dont look at cause and effect, they never consider "so if we push this thingy in, what is going to pop out the otherside and is that a bigger thingy with a bigger impact than pushing this thingy in, in the first place?"

I don't think HMRC should look at the bigger picture I'm afraid. Cause and effect should be an irrelevance to them. If they did look at the bigger picture this then means HMRC are effectively setting policy (oh hang on a mo..). HMRC role is to collect all dues according to the law of the land (of course whether they do that is questionable). Certainly they ought to be pragmatic. It is pointless spending umpteen million recovering fourpence (save possibly for encouragement of others).

What should happen is that the executive should consider cause and effect. It is they who fail.

Unfortunately the combined might of ministers and mandarins collectively don't seem to have ever heard of a Laffer Curve. They do blindingly assume that if they increase a tax by 10% then the tax take will increase by 10%.

[smalldog]

I don't think HMRC should look at the bigger picture I'm afraid. Cause and effect should be an irrelevance to them. If they did look at the bigger picture this then means HMRC are effectively setting policy (oh hang on a mo..). HMRC role is to collect all dues according to the law of the land (of course whether they do that is questionable). Certainly they ought to be pragmatic. It is pointless spending umpteen million recovering fourpence (save possibly for encouragement of others).

What should happen is that the executive should consider cause and effect. It is they who fail.

Unfortunately the combined might of ministers and mandarins collectively don't seem to have ever heard of a Laffer Curve. They do blindingly assume that if they increase a tax by 10% then the tax take will increase by 10%.

they also apply this principal to S.58 They say the money is at stake is £200m and they assume they will realise the full £200m, so unrealistic its childlike

[sal626]

Just when you think HMRC can't sink any lower:

Taxman penalises someone for paying too much

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/p...paign=pf1504am

Does anyone in HMRC have a soul?

[Tax_shouldnt_be_taxing]

UK Plc is more than just a slogan

This is rather interesting.

If you visit Dun & Bradstreet's web site and in advanced search look up HM Treasury, or indeed any Government, police or local council office, you'll find that they are ALL listed as Companies. You can even buy credit reports on them.

http://www.dnb.com/us/

Make sure you select United Kingdom!

Now whilst this may appear to be a non-point, I find it somewhat interesting. A Company is an incorporation according to D&B. So, you either sign a contract to work for them or you do not. If you don't, then their 'employement rules' and 'code of conduct' cannot apply to you.

Statute Law is their Company Contract. Common Law is not. I think you might see where I'm going with this. Common Law is enshrined in the Magna Carta and the 1689 Bill of Rights. Statute Law is enshrined by a UK Corporation. FA2008 is Statute Law. Hmmm

[DonkeyRhubarb]

Leaders debate

Submitted the following question:

Where do the party leaders stand on the use of retrospective legislation in the fight against tax avoidance?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politi...10/8589502.stm

[Tax_shouldnt_be_taxing]

Mapeley STEPS just won't go away

MPs slam HMRC “business acumen” over offshore company deal


http://www.accountancyage.com/accoun...usiness-acumen

[Tax_shouldnt_be_taxing]

Submitted the following question:

Where do the party leaders stand on the use of retrospective legislation in the fight against tax avoidance?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politi...10/8589502.stm

DR, added this one:

What job would the leaders do if they were not in Politics and where would they see themselves in 5 years time in that job?

My guesses:

Brown - A grave digger. In 5 years, an undertaker
Cameron - Editor of Playboy magazine. In 5 years, Events Manager at the Playboy mansion
Clegg - Call desk operator at the Samaritans. In 5 years, a caller to the Samaritans

[Vallah]

Just when you think HMRC can't sink any lower:

Taxman penalises someone for paying too much

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/p...paign=pf1504am

Does anyone in HMRC have a soul?

Do any of them have a brain?

[Doug1965]

Do any of them have a brain?

They used to have one but then someone left it on a train.

[smalldog]

MPs slam HMRC “business acumen” over offshore company deal


http://www.accountancyage.com/accoun...usiness-acumen

They will have to look really really hard to find anyone, nobody seems to have an appreciation for the bottom line:

6) The Treasury should identify skills shortfalls and “establish centres of expertise” to mitigate the “lack of sound commercial skills… across government”.