No To Retro Tax – Campaign Against Section 58 Finance Act 2008

[BrilloPad]

You are thinking too much, and it will do your head in.

Leave the strategy to Whitehouse.

We just need to send the letters when we are asked to.

I will try my best mate.

Very difficult when on the edge of bankruptcy and nervous breakdown.

But this post is not all bad! At least it has given Brannigan a stiffy.

[Morlock]

Write back to him and ask if it's important that they also collect tax from Mr Carr and Mr Barlow using the K2 avoidance scheme.

...and Danny Alexander's capital gains that he owes on his flipped property!

[Morlock]

The NTRT campaign has longer term objectives that we as infantry are not party to nor should we be. The NTRT team are the strategists and generals in this and our job is to wait until called upon to respond with the next phase of our assault.

Err... No. "Blind faith in your leaders, or in anything, will get you killed."

[WelshRarebit]

Err... No. "Blind faith in your leaders, or in anything, will get you killed."

I didn't say we were cannon fodder unless we're talking about HMRC

[Guttersnipe]

Err... No. "Blind faith in your leaders, or in anything, will get you killed."

Fair enough. Let us know how you get on.

My experience of parliamentary machinations is limited but not zero and has given me enough knowledge to realise that building momentum is a) key and b) hard to view from outside unless there's an associated tabloid campaign.

[sjw]

...and Danny Alexander's capital gains that he owes on his flipped property!

actually legally he doesn't - he sold it within the 3 year relief window after he designated it his secondary residence. the real question to be asked is how he can justify it "morally" - after all he flipping his property, received taxpayers money to renovate it, and then sold it at a vast profit.

[Boycie]

Letter from Dominic Raab

I've had a response from Dominic Raab - it seems to be the standard response. This was in response to a letter I sent prior to the NC4 amendment .

Do I need to send this on to Whitehouse?


'I can certainly appreciate the point you have raised, and I have already been in contact with David Gauke, the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, on this very issue.

The government set out its position on retrospection in the "Tackling Tax Avoidance" document, produced as part of the Budget 2011. The government argue that the deterrent effect of acting retrospectively needs to be balanced against the need for the maintaining the UK tax system's reputation for predictability, stability and simplicity. In particular, the Protocol states that changes to tax legislation where the change takes effect retrospectively will be wholly exceptional.

The 2008 Finance Act was introduced in response to an artificial avoidance scheme used by more than 3,000 taxpayers. This scheme looked to exploit a perceived loophole in legislation enacted in 1987 that was intended to put beyond doubt that the UK has always retained the right to tax its own residents.

In two judicial reviews, the Courts have found that the retrospective element of the legislation is proportionate and compatible with the European Convention on Human Rights. While I am sorry to hear you have been affected by Section 58, the government relies on the Courts' verdicts that the changes were proportionate.

HMRC has regularly recommended that payments on account be made. However, HMRC has established procedures to consider allowing Time to Pay for those with short term difficulties meeting liabilities as they fall due. I enclose a briefing for your information.

Thank you again for raising the matter with me'

[DonkeyRhubarb]

Do I need to send this on to Whitehouse?

Yes please.

And by the way, even if you're not a member of NTRT, Whitehouse is happy to hear from anyone who has written to or met their MP.

They are building up a database of victims of S58 ready for the next barrage of letters.

[p4nd4b34r]

response from my MP below after me chasing him again a couple of weeks ago..

Dear Mr xxx,

Thank you for contacting me about Section 58 of the Finance Act 2008.
...Section 58 was introduced in order to help put this beyond any doubt and it is a reasonable response to a wholly artificial tax avoidance scheme. It clarified existing legislation and therefore has not affected any UK taxpayer’s tax position. ....
Yours sincerely,

xxx MP
(Dictated by xxx and sent on his behalf)

Its some weird parallel universe these people inhabit isnt it. If S58 has not affected anyones tax position then its removal will likewise not affect anyones tax position QED.

[LisaContractorUmbrella]

Its some weird parallel universe these people inhabit isnt it. If S58 has not affected anyones tax position then its removal will likewise not affect anyones tax position QED.