header-logo header-logo

Taxing matters

13 February 2019 / Peter Vaines
Issue: 7828 / Categories: Features , Commercial , Tax
printer mail-detail
One size fits none. In the pursuit of compliance, HMRC has chosen to treat everyone like a tax cheat, says Peter Vaines
  • Through its attempts to encourage compliance and penalise wrongdoers, HMRC has created a bullying culture of trying to catch people out, collecting tax which is not due, and forcing people into submission without regard to the rights and wrongs of their case.
  • A culture of trust and compliance should be the goal—and that is achieved by respect, not by fear.

‘I have a dream,’ somebody rather important once said.

I too have a dream—rather less important—but if it could turn into reality, it would make a lot of difference to a lot of people. It is all to do with tax and HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).

Liars, cheats & law-abiding citizens

There is increasing disquiet about the deteriorating relationship between HMRC and taxpayers, and this obviously is a matter of real importance to taxpayers— and a matter of deep regret to professionals in the field. It

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Hugh James—Phil Edwards

Hugh James—Phil Edwards

Serious injury teambolstered by high-profile partner hire

Freeths—Melanie Stancliffe

Freeths—Melanie Stancliffe

Firm strengthens employment team with partner hire

DAC Beachcroft—Tim Barr

DAC Beachcroft—Tim Barr

Lawyers’ liability practice strengthened with partner appointment in London

NEWS
Ceri Morgan, knowledge counsel at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP, analyses the Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Johnson v FirstRand Bank Ltd, which reshapes the law of fiduciary relationships and common law bribery
The boundaries of media access in family law are scrutinised by Nicholas Dobson in NLJ this week
Reflecting on personal experience, Professor Graham Zellick KC, Senior Master of the Bench and former Reader of the Middle Temple, questions the unchecked power of parliamentary privilege
Geoff Dover, managing director at Heirloom Fair Legal, sets out a blueprint for ethical litigation funding in the wake of high-profile law firm collapses
James Grice, head of innovation and AI at Lawfront, explores how artificial intelligence is transforming the legal sector
back-to-top-scroll