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Well Messrs Gauke and Troup
would say that wouldn't they. Its interesting that HMRC 2014/15 Annual Report has a lengthy section in it dealing with the quantification of the Tax Gap and the Comptroller and Auditor General has some interesting things to say on the methodologies used by HMRC to come up with their figures and here I quote --" Around two thirds of the Tax Gap is estimated using established methodologies and the remainder estimated using developing methodologies.HMRC is not able to estimate the scale of uncertainty around its best estimate of the tax gap . For around 60% of the value of the tax gap, it has not made any estimate of the scale of uncertainty. For the remaining 40%(£14 billion)of the tax gap HMRC can and does calculate margins of error" There is a lot more said by Sir Amyas Morse KCB on the subject but basically it boils down to " HMRC must do better" which in my book gives HMRC nothing to boast about.
Statistics
If the unemployment figures can say nearly everyone in the UK must have at least two jobs and apparently crime will is being absolutely eradicated, why should HMRC not manage to collect more tax than is actually due?
Utterly meaningless statistics based on some highly cynical manipulation.
I was disappointed they could not manage more precision with their percentage and state it as 6.48 which would have resonated more with the tax profession.
Does anyone believe
Anything that comes out from HMRC press office anymore given the level of spin, half truths and plain obfuscation I am surprised that any of them can lie straight in bed at night. I would take issue with Mr Troup asserting that HMRC are transparent in their dealings with the public concerning HMRC`s performance as until they stop pandering to vested interest and multinationals alike their self congratulatory analysis is utterly worthless.
Discuss!!!
The true headline
The accurate headline to this story was:
"A made up number was this year found to be a bit lower than last year's made up number."
Bonuses all round to celebrate, including for those in senior HMRC positions operating through personal services companies!