No Chance

The ordinary taxpayers, who can't afford high cost legal eagles to protect them from overzealous tax investigations, are going to face a tough time in the future with HMRC.

That is the view of Nichola Ross Martin, Accounting Web's UK Tax Editor, who spoke at recent tax conference at the ICAEW in London about new HMRC powers.

She is quoted as saying:

"Unrepresented taxpayers will not stand a chance under HMRC's new penalty regime.

Many accountants are in for a bit of a shock too.

It was an unhappy coincidence that shadow home secretary, David Davies happened to chose the same day to resign his parliamentary seat on account of 'the insidious erosion of civil liberties in the UK'."

The new tax penalty system allows abatements/reductions from a statutory maximum penalty, by decreasing penalty charges according to taxpayer behaviours. However, HMRC will be required/allowed to pass subjective judgement on the affairs of taxpayers.

This subjective judgement will be fraught with dangers.

The taxpayers themselves will be expected to know if they need professional help or not in their tax affairs, they will then also be responsible for the selection a suitably qualified accountant.

HMRC's Compliance Handbook is not easy reading, even for those who are tax specialists, and is designed to obfuscate rather than help. A sure sign, if ever one were needed, that HMRC is loading the dice in its favour.

Frank Haskew of the ICAEW concluded that HMRC "is consulting but not actually listening" and that "there are diametric views as to what is actually a safeguard" within HMRC.

The dice are well truly now loaded against the ordinary taxpayer.

Just you watch Brown and his cronies running HMRC bleed us dry, as they desperately scrabble in the mud for extra tax revenues to prop up Brown's expensive failed economic model.

Tax does have to be taxing.

The New Statesman, Britain's leading political magazine is delighted to announce that HMRC Is Shite has been nominated for a New Media Award in the category of Campaign For Change. The campaign for change award will go to the individual or organisation that has most effectively influenced opinions and behaviour through the use of new media technology. The winner of this award will champion a cause and provide information and tools to instigate change.

The full press release can be downloaded here.

HMRC Is Shite (www.hmrcisshite.com), also available via the domain www.hmrconline.com, is brought to you by www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"