Changes to direct recovery of debts raise questions about the power’s practicality
Tax experts have applauded the government’s decision to water down controversial plans to give HMRC extra tax debt-collection powers.
Extra safeguards and additional time for consultation on direct recovery of debts (DRD) mean the measure will be delayed until after next year’s general election.
Tax experts back department against PAC report
Do HMRC have a valid reason for an enquiry?
V Tee (TC4089)
A man who pretended to be a solicitor in an attempt to get a sizable debt quashed for another taxpayer has been jailed for 22 months.
Unemployed Nicholas Moss, who pretended to work for a London-based law group, forged a court document that purported to come from a High Court judge cancelling £19,000 in arrears to HMRC.
He also represented his ‘client’ at Willesden County Court, where a judgment was awarded in favour of the Revenue for the tax debt.
D F Currie (TC3997)
HMRC plan to make even greater use of technology
HMRC’s compliance office dedicated to the tax affairs of the country’s best-off people has passed a major landmark in its five-year history.
The high net worth (HNW) unit has collected more than £1bn in additional tax revenue since being formed in 2009, with £268m retrieved in 2013/14, according to a new Revenue report, which show a rise on the previous year’s £222m.
The First-tier Tribunal hears for the first time from a client of Christopher Lunn & Co
Enterprise investment schemes could be HMRC’s next anti-avoidance target
The 2012/13 tax gap was £34bn, or 6.8% of tax liabilities, according to newly released HMRC figures, which show a small rise on the £33bn (6.6%) in the previous year (revised down from an initial £35bn).