'compliant' arrangement

[Fred Bloggs]

I feel some lawsuits coming on... And quick as well, before these companies disappear..

Playing devils advocate for a second, if you bring a case before a UK court, (I do not know what case you would make, but setting that aside) and you won the case. What would the UK court be able to do to an entity that is off shore, the assets likewise - if there even are any recoverable assets that is. How will a UK court judgment benefit you? The people behind these schemes have basically done a runner with your money. They have had years to plan their exit. That money, even if it were traceable, is likely in a Cayman Islands, Panama, Belize, you name it anonymous account. I'm curious to understand where you intend going with such a court case.

[animallover]

Playing devils advocate for a second, if you bring a case before a UK court, (I do not know what case you would make, but setting that aside) and you won the case. What would the UK court be able to do to an entity that is off shore, the assets likewise - if there even are any recoverable assets that is. How will a UK court judgment benefit you? The people behind these schemes have basically done a runner with your money. They have had years to plan their exit. That money, even if it were traceable, is likely in a Cayman Islands, Panama, Belize, you name it anonymous account. I'm curious to understand where you intend going with such a court case.

Good points but the umbrella company is well established and definitely permanently UK based. Many of the payment companies are Isle of Man which is UK...? Not saying it will be straightforward but..

[Iliketax]

I feel some lawsuits coming on... And quick as well, before these companies disappear..

Might want to read page 34+ of this: https://www.taxadvisermagazine.com/s...UNE-lowres.pdf

[Fred Bloggs]

Good points but the umbrella company is well established and definitely permanently UK based. Many of the payment companies are Isle of Man which is UK...? Not saying it will be straightforward but..

Sorry, IoM is not UK. They have their own parliament that writes their own laws. I know nothing about the so called umbrella company involved. They were just window dressing though, I'm guessing. The people you really need to take action against, I can pretty much guess how bullet proof (in all senses of the word) they will be given the years of planning they have had to prepare.

[webberg]

Might want to read page 34+ of this: https://www.taxadvisermagazine.com/s...UNE-lowres.pdf

Agreed - very good article and worth reading.

[Fred Bloggs]

Might want to read page 34+ of this: https://www.taxadvisermagazine.com/s...UNE-lowres.pdf

Very good article. So, middle column, bottom of page 34. Who has gone to jail? How many?

[Iliketax]

Very good article. So, middle column, bottom of page 34. Who has gone to jail? How many?

No idea - but here's an example of a different type of scheme https://www.judiciary.uk/wp-content/...and-others.pdf

[Fred Bloggs]

No idea - but here's an example of a different type of scheme https://www.judiciary.uk/wp-content/...and-others.pdf

Thanks, clearly, that prosecution was brought against the perpetrators central to the schemes. The problem I foresee with these tax avoidance schemes is that if an accountant is prosecuted, he was guilty of giving bad tax advice. The people who made the REAL money will still be swanning around in their multi million pound yachts. In that respect, the accountant is a victim of the scheme too. Albeit, not to the same extent as the scheme users. I imagine the worst that can happen to such an accountant would be a fine and a loss of professional standing.

[animallover]

HMRC should be going after the individuals responsible for creating the schemes i. E. The big players. It's all very well going after the little people but unless they go after the big boys, what's to dissuade the big players? Otherwise the HMRC are just bullies and cowards

[Fred Bloggs]

HMRC should be going after the individuals responsible for creating the schemes i. E. The big players. It's all very well going after the little people but unless they go after the big boys, what's to dissuade the big players? Otherwise the HMRC are just bullies and cowards

Quite agree, most people will, I guess. Question is, given that these people are now stinking rich, they are likely living the high life in Panama, Seychelles or some place. So, how exactly are the UK authorities going to pin anything on these guys that will actually stick? Don't forget, these are very rich people, if required, they can hire some very smart lawyers.