Jump to content

 

 

Court of Session rules in favour of HMRC + Rangers Issue Statement


Recommended Posts

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-34717035

 

 

Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is "still failing UK taxpayers", the Public Accounts Committee has said.

It believes the quality of its customer service "could be considered a genuine threat to tax collection".

In the first half of 2015, HMRC contact centres answered only half of calls, and only 39% within five minutes.

HMRC responded that it had now recruited 3,000 more staff but that the customer service issues had not affected its ability to collect tax.

Meg Hillier, chair of the PAC, said HMRC must "rapidly improve its customer service, previously described by the PAC as abysmal and now even worse". In 2014, 72% of calls had been answered.

The PAC also said that the failure to gather intelligence on losses from tax avoidance was an obstacle to improved tax laws.

Hidden in Switzerland

It also described HMRC's record of 11 prosecutions for offshore tax evasion in the past five years as "woefully inadequate".

Despite being handed a list of 3,600 British people who hid money in Switzerland, the tax collectors have prosecuted just one person involved.

Instead, the tax collectors have offered reduced penalties to people who come forward with information about money they've hidden overseas, something the committee says is no substitute for the "deterrent effect" of prosecution.

In response, HMRC pointed to its record results and said the gap between tax due and tax collected had been reduced to one of the lowest in the world.

"We are disappointed that the Public Accounts Committee has overlooked HMRC's record results, which include collecting a record £517bn in tax revenues," an HMRC spokesperson said.

The PCS union blamed the problem on 11,000 full-time equivalent posts being cut since 2010.

"It has been abundantly clear for years that the department has cut too many staff and that services are suffering," its general secretary Mark Serwotka said.

"The department needs major investment backed by a real political commitment to tackle tax evasion and avoidance as an alternative to more damaging spending cuts."

What has been your experience of HMRC's customer service? You can tell us your story by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.

Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist today. You can also contact us in the following ways:

WhatsApp: +44 7525 900971

Tweet: @BBC_HaveYourSay

Send an SMS or MMS to 61124

Link to post
Share on other sites

While it might be a bit premature, don't you think that had we lost this round, the likes of McLaughlin would have told us by now ... and at great lengths and pleasure. Given their "sources" and informers everywhere when it concerns Rangers.

 

I agree, even Phil et al have not mentioned a word. Considering how sure they were that we would be mauled for not paying tax, I haven't seen them mention this. Using the Ashley situation to re-direct his 'dear readers' attention.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.


×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.