Guilty until proved innocent

[psychocandy]

Must admit I didn't know that about APNs. i.e. You had to pay up then sort it out later or face penalties....

But, in reality surely this isnt going to happen surely?

Like I said, going back to the story of my brother. Self-employed. Didn't bother paying tax for 5 years. Chucked letters in the bin, demands etc. Just bunged it all and ignored them. Eventually, and it took them years, they got serious though and threatened jail etc. because he was bang to rights.

So he decided to sort it out. Can't remember the exact figures but he owed something like 50K with a part of this being fines etc obviously.

In the end, after he got an accountant on board to do the bargaining etc, they waived ALL the fines, and even some of the outstanding tax. He paid I think a few K up front, then the rest over about 2-3 years every month. Ended up paying less than he would have originally. (but he still moaned).

Point being - from what I've seen they aint gonna come steaming in demand £200K and declare you bankrupt. I could be wrong of course but this is just what I've seen.

[MrMarkyMark]

Point being - from what I've seen they aint gonna come steaming in demand £200K and declare you bankrupt.

Point now actually being, different times, different government, different deficit.
I'm sure everyone feels really reassured reading your brothers story and associated comments.

[rl4engc]

I can't see HMRC coming after people possibly caught by IR35 in the same blanket manner; it's not just IT contractors and the like that work in this way but plenty of managers and company directors AKA traditional Tories.

It kicked off a few years ago as it was "revealed" in the press that lots of public sector managers were working in this way, e.g. in the BBC etc. which ruffled feathers as obviously they're taxpayer funded. Not so the private sector.

I think this is just a shot above the bows for people considering these agressive schemes.. "We'll come after you at any point in the future.."

[vetran]

did your brother have any assets?

If he had none being nice was the only way they could get him to pay.

[BrilloPad]

More greed cells in the head than brain cells.

"In the words of Kenneth Parker J, the Scheme would “appear to realise every taxpayer’s dream of lawfully avoiding, or at least greatly reducing, income tax in any
jurisdiction”. In the case of Mr Huitson the effective rate of tax he would suffer on his income would be approximately 3.5%"

And what is wrong with lawfully avoiding?

Its irrelevant anyway - the question is should HMRC be allowed to assume guilt?

[d000hg]

I think this is just a shot above the bows for people considering these agressive schemes.. "We'll come after you at any point in the future.."

BN66 et al should've probably hammered home the point "don't f*** with HMRC" by now but I agree.

[AtW]

And what is wrong with lawfully avoiding?

Nothing if your plan is to have your life totally wrecked by the tax office.

[psychocandy]

did your brother have any assets?

If he had none being nice was the only way they could get him to pay.

I agree this may have had something to do with it.

[vetran]

I agree this may have had something to do with it.

HMRC's Razor


Never attribute to nicety that which is adequately explained by improved chance of payment.

[raphal]

I can't see HMRC coming after people possibly caught by IR35 in the same blanket manner; it's not just IT contractors and the like that work in this way but plenty of managers and company directors AKA traditional Tories.

It kicked off a few years ago as it was "revealed" in the press that lots of public sector managers were working in this way, e.g. in the BBC etc. which ruffled feathers as obviously they're taxpayer funded. Not so the private sector.

I think this is just a shot above the bows for people considering these agressive schemes.. "We'll come after you at any point in the future.."

If someone is caught by IR35, will there be any action on the client and the agency the contractor was engaged with ?