VAT: Taxpayer’s proof of export accepted on appeal
HMRC refused to accept alternative evidence of the export of goods. Was this due to prejudice on behalf of the officer, or a misunderstanding of how trade is conducted in parts of Africa?
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When you look at letters etc. coming from Nigeria trying to scam people and HMRC only vetoed the paperwork with discrepancies, then you get a clearer picture of HMRC thinking. I have dealt with companies in Nigeria and Tanzania (through companies in Jersey) years ago and to say they do business differently is an understatement. That is not to say that Mr Dike is not a kosha business man.
Unfortunately HMRC have no cultural concept of "The past is a foreign country; they do things differently there" - either in the original sense or merely any non-UK behaviour they encounter.
Their approach is always "My way or the highway" ... which is why MTD will be such a car-crash (even for the relatively straightforward ways in which business is conducted within the UK).