Newth Talks Tax: How do I put the pressure on HMRC?
An anonymous subscriber disclosed that they had a PAYE enquiry into a client’s affairs which had dragged on for nearly a year due mainly to the client not having the relevant contract and the loss of the adviser firm’s tax manager (see 2 January 2008).
HMRC decided that enough was enough and started hassling the client, explaining that interest was due on unpaid tax. The subscriber had now replied to HMRC and, having completed research, it was clear that no tax was due.
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Dog eat dog
I am afraid we are back to the the days of agressive inspectors of the late 80's and early 90's who do not want to listen to reason but just collect no matter how unfair they are to the taxpayer. Their new powers are used to bully small business owners into submission because they cannot afford the arguement. Unfortunately the real Black market goes unseen because this would be too difficult to address. (how many cases have you seen where tax evaders and poor advisers are simply getting away with it ?).
I say keep the pressure on ! You will not be shown any quarter and any act of kindness will be seen as weakness. Make a complaint ! Its the only way of getting attention, in a sensible way.
It is sad that the HMRC approach has changed as this can only be a bad thing for small business ,our profession, our economy and the collection of the correct amount of tax. (may be that is the plan).
HMRC aims and Targets
The closure of the local offices of HMRC does appear that HMRC have given up their enquiry arm into the black economy and are now concentrating on squeezing the last out of the taxpayers that make their prescence known.
On a seperate note. following the closure of the CT offices in Newcastle and Middlesbrough to relocate in Aberdeen and Norwich respectively. How can a centralised tax office in Norwich deal with tax evasion in Middlesbrough, or a centralised tax office in Aberdeen deal with tax evasion in Hexham. What do Officers in these locations know about the local economy in Hexham/Middlesbrough? This is just another sign of the above.