Taxation logo taxation mission text

Since 1927 the leading authority on tax law, practice and administration

Illness is an excuse

07 February 2011
Issue: 4291 / Categories: Tax cases
Atkinson (TC909)

The taxpayer was a sole trader who ran a franchised carpet cleaning business. Towards the end of 2008 his business suffered a downturn going from a turnover of around £30 000 a month to £4 000.

He began to drink heavily and was unable to meet his liabilities despite re-mortgaging his house. In November 2009 he asked his brother who lived some distance away for help.

The taxpayer was in denial about his alcoholism; he was also suffering from ulcers. When the brother arrived he found unopened mail that included a  demand for outstanding tax. He contacted HMRC and eventually was able to arrange a time-to-pay agreement.

The brother appealed on behalf of the taxpayer against the surcharge for late payment of tax on the basis that his brother had suffered a serious illness during the period in which he...

If you or your firm subscribes to Taxation.co.uk, please click the login box below:

If you are not a subscriber but are a registered user or have a free trial, please enter your details in the following boxes:

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.

back to top icon