.png)
.png)
How can tax be lost if it is not due in the first place? ANDY WELLS is struck by recent Revenue thinking
KEY POINTS
- Differences of opinion on tax issues contribute £6 billion to the tax gap according to HMRC.
- Opposing HMRC’s constitutes ‘a behaviour’.
- HMRC must be more accurate in their terminology.
- Tax not legally due cannot be lost tax.
HMRC’s document Protecting Tax Revenues published on 9 December 2009 refers extensively to the ‘tax gap’. 
I read it (yes I admit I am a sad case) and was surprised to find it referred to a tax gap arising from ‘taxpayers and HMRC taking different views of the law’: see for example paragraph 5.14 of the document.
This is not tax lost due to tax avoidance strategies as that is dealt with separately. It suggests that 15% of the tax gap ...
Alternatively, you can register free of charge to read a limited amount of subscriber content per month.
Once you have registered, you will receive an email directing you back to read this item in full.
Please reach out to customer services at +44 (0) 330 161 1234 or 'customer.services@lexisnexis.co.uk' for further assistance.
