I watched the programme on Channel 4 last night regarding HMRC chasing tax dodgers. There was one particular case where someone was caught for evading VAT but the issue I am trying to address is the comments by the HMRC investigator.
He clearly stated that their investigation was started after a suspicious activity report by the perpetrators Accountant, then went into detail about what happened and what was in the report. Later in the programme reference was made again to the report and how Accountants make such reports to SOCA
Isn't this Tipping Off and if we can be reprimanded for doing so surely HMRC should be as well. I was also under the impression that the actual reports were confidential and that the "end user" was not given information as to where the report came from.
More chilling is the fact that this programme has revealed to all and sundry the Accountants role in reporting, and there are some nasty people out there.
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The MLR report was discussed in open court. As I understand it, the person who wrote it was also required to give evidence in court.
So I guess, as the report was already in the public domain, referring to it in the TV programme would not be regarded as tipping off.
The programme was inaccurate though.
It stated that they (HMRC) received a SAR from the accountant.
It gave the false impression that accountants are in cahoots with HMRC.
Presumably, the reporting accountant lives in fear, for the rest of his life?
What price "justice"?
I often think that those in the public sector (HMRC, Police officials etc) have much less to lose, than those in the private sector, in these situations?
A true case of "them and us"? The description "poacher" still gives me a wry smile.