Friday 31 January 2020
Drugs and Defecation at HMRC's Manchester HQ - WTF!
Fintech Futures reports the following:
"UK government staff working for Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have been warned about repeated acts of vandalism at its Manchester HQ, including defecating on toilet floors and using faeces to “write unpleasant messages”.
A member of the facilities management team at HMRC – which governs the collection of tax and payment of state support – wrote to staff about repeated bad behaviour at the department’s Trinity Bridge House HQ in an email seen by FinTech Futures.
“Last week there was another deliberate act of vandalism in the ground floor toilets resulting in the flooding of the facilities and the corridor,” the note states, adding that there has been an increase in reported incidents.
Staff were reported to have “deliberately blocked toilet bowls with paper towels”, smeared “bodily fluids” on doors, walls and toilet seats, used faeces to “write unpleasant messages”, defecated on toilet floors, and taken illegal drugs.
More than one member of HMRC staff is involved in the vandalism, according to the email. It adds that anyone identified as carrying out deliberate acts of vandalism will be dealt with “severely”.
Esther Wallington, chief people officer of HMRC, told FinTech Futures: “These reprehensible actions, committed by a few individuals, have no place in our organisation and absolutely do not reflect the professionalism and values of the overwhelming majority of our Manchester colleagues. We are working with police to investigate these acts of vandalism and identify those responsible.”
The email bears striking resemblance to one issued by Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) chief operating officer Georgina Philippou to staff to the watchdogs’s new Stratford HQ.
Philippou called out employees for defecating on the toilet floors and verbally abusing catering and security staff.
HMRC completed the letting of a new 157,000sq foot Manchester location in March 2018.
The new building, less than a mile away from Trinity Bridge House, will be centred in the New Bailey development near Salford Central station. Members of staff will begin moving to the seven-storey complex from Spring 2022 onwards.
In 2015 HMRC announced its aim to bring employees together into 13 “large, modern offices”, making it “easier to collaborate and work flexibly”.
The department’s Locations Programme is the largest office transformation programme in the UK and involves the development of more than 429,000sq metres of new office space. It plans to save around £300 million up to 2025 through the programme."
WTF!
Tax does have to be taxing.
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"
Tax does have to be taxing.
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"
Online Tax Filing Deadline Day - More Wisdom From Stuart Jones
An observation on tax return deadline day - No matter how hard you rub you can’t polish horse💩 #Tax #TaxReturn— Stuart Jones (@StuartJones) January 31, 2020
Tax does have to be taxing.
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"
Thursday 30 January 2020
Wise Words From Stuart Jones
Tomorrow's tax return deadline seems a good time to make a few points: (1) Accountants don't make the tax laws which mean you have to pay tax (2) If you can't pay your tax it's not your accountant's fault (3) Bookkeeping is a chore but it has to be done. #tax— Stuart Jones (@StuartJones) January 30, 2020
Tax does have to be taxing.
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"
Wednesday 29 January 2020
Possible Way To Avoid £100 Late Filing Fine?
You can write that if people miss the deadline then they can claim that they were still unsure about the impact of the LC announcements and whether the LC applies to them. They submitted after learning that it does not. HMRC have said that they will apply no penalty or interest.— HMRC Victim #STOPtheLoanCharge #SaveLives! #IR35 (@HMRCVictim) January 29, 2020
I have no idea if this excuse, if you do file late, will work.
It would save time, and stress if you file before the deadline!
Tax does have to be taxing.
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"
Tuesday 28 January 2020
Topping Out HMRC In Nottingham
Insider Media reports that a major milestone has been reached at HMRC's new regional centre in Nottingham.
A topping out ceremony has been staged at the ten-storey Unity Square which is due to open in late 2021.
It should be noted that the original target was for it to open in the summer.
The HMRC hub was forward funded by LGIM Real Assets and the will eventually house up to 4,000 HMRC employees.
Representatives from HMRC and the site’s developers Sladen Estates and Peveril Securities attended the topping out event.
Nicole Newbury, HMRC director and senior sponsor for the Nottingham Regional Centre, East Midlands Region, said:
"We can’t wait to move into our new regional centre. The new building is so much more than just bricks and mortar, it represents an exciting opportunity for us to utilise new technology and develop collaborative, new ways of working.Derek Gilby, senior fund manager at LGIM Real Assets, said:
HMRC colleagues are watching with interest as the build progresses, so it was great to attend the topping out ceremony to see the construction process first-hand - as well as being able to catch a glimpse of the incredible views across the city from the tenth floor."
"Unity Square is one of ten regional hubs Legal & General has invested in to support the government’s efforts to modernise the civil service and save taxpayers’ money. Its investment in the programme crossed the £1.5bn mark last year.
This scheme in Nottingham is particularly ground breaking not only because of its size and central location, but for its potential to transform the city centre, driving regional economic growth and supporting job creation."
Tax does have to be taxing.
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"
Monday 27 January 2020
3 Million Yet To File Online Assessment
With less than a week to go before the self assessment online filing deadline, HMRC claim that more than 3 million people have yet to send in their annual self-assessment tax return.
Those of you with a sense of irony might note that the process would be eased if HMRC's digital systems didn't keep crashing!
Tax does have to be taxing.
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"
Friday 24 January 2020
HMRC Digital Systems Still Fucked Up
HMRC are currently aware of an issue affecting all of our digital services, including Making Tax Digital (MTD) so the service is not currently available. We apologise for any inconvenience caused and can reassure you we are working hard to resolve the issue as soon as possible.— HMRC Customer Support (@HMRCcustomers) January 23, 2020
The irony is that the freelance contractors who used to help HMRC keep its sytemes running are no longer available, because HMRC's loan charge stance wrecked their businesses and lives.
Tax does have to be taxing.
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"
Thursday 23 January 2020
HMRC Seeks Brexit Tsar
Director General, EU Exit
HM Revenue and Customs
Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 9th February 2020
Reference number
36351
Salary
£140,000
Grade
SCS Pay Band 3
Contract type
Permanent
Business area
HMRC - Border delivery group
Type of role
Operational Delivery
Senior leadership
Senior leadership
Working pattern
Flexible working, Full-time, Job share
Number of posts
1
Location
London
About the job
Summary
This
is a newly created post designed to provide leadership to a newly
formed group in HMRC that brings together the critical EU Exit policy
and delivery groups into one cohesive unit.
The job holder will be responsible for defining and embedding the new organisational structure. Fundamentally this role will be of EU Exit for HMRC responsible for delivering the next stages
The job holder will be responsible for defining and embedding the new organisational structure. Fundamentally this role will be of EU Exit for HMRC responsible for delivering the next stages
Job description
The job holder will line manage 4 directors leading in the EU Exit policy and project delivery space.
The 4 directorates are made up approx. 1000 FTE, largely in project delivery and policy but also including functions such as communications, finance and private office. Although a significant proportion will be London based the job holder can expect to have staff across the majority of HMRC locations. In the event of a no deal EU Exit the command centre would be stood up which is principally an operations command.
The job holder will be responsible for bringing together the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) which is newly formed, as well as the wider senior community including critical enabling partners in digital, finance, HR and operations. The job holder will also be responsible for all their people with a focus on wellbeing and workload which can be put under pressure in the EU exit environment.
Proven success through inspirational leadership with a clear track record of delivering outstanding performance as well as extensive experience of people management across large, complex teams - leading across geographically disperse locations and culturally diverse teams;
Experience of working collaboratively and successfully engaging with a diverse range of stakeholders both internally and externally at the most senior levels;
Proven ability to have strong judgement as the job holder will need to prioritise both the policy and delivery work of their teams. This will also include strong time management skills as they will have to be able to react to both internal and external factors;
Effective and sophisticated influencing skills, with the gravitas and credibility to work in partnership with colleagues and stakeholders at Board and Ministerial level to set strategic direction, to operationalise strategy and to advise on complex policy issues;
The effective job holder will need to be experienced in policy, programme and portfolio management, and will have experience of working on EU exit
The effective jobholder will have the resilience to successfully manage high profile public and media scrutiny.
Whilst not essential, it would be helpful if candidates could also demonstrate:
Experience of successfully leading an organisation through large scale transformational change.
The 4 directorates are made up approx. 1000 FTE, largely in project delivery and policy but also including functions such as communications, finance and private office. Although a significant proportion will be London based the job holder can expect to have staff across the majority of HMRC locations. In the event of a no deal EU Exit the command centre would be stood up which is principally an operations command.
The job holder will be responsible for bringing together the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) which is newly formed, as well as the wider senior community including critical enabling partners in digital, finance, HR and operations. The job holder will also be responsible for all their people with a focus on wellbeing and workload which can be put under pressure in the EU exit environment.
Responsibilities
To be successful in this role candidates will be asked to present evidence of the following essential criteria during the selection process:Proven success through inspirational leadership with a clear track record of delivering outstanding performance as well as extensive experience of people management across large, complex teams - leading across geographically disperse locations and culturally diverse teams;
Experience of working collaboratively and successfully engaging with a diverse range of stakeholders both internally and externally at the most senior levels;
Proven ability to have strong judgement as the job holder will need to prioritise both the policy and delivery work of their teams. This will also include strong time management skills as they will have to be able to react to both internal and external factors;
Effective and sophisticated influencing skills, with the gravitas and credibility to work in partnership with colleagues and stakeholders at Board and Ministerial level to set strategic direction, to operationalise strategy and to advise on complex policy issues;
The effective job holder will need to be experienced in policy, programme and portfolio management, and will have experience of working on EU exit
The effective jobholder will have the resilience to successfully manage high profile public and media scrutiny.
Whilst not essential, it would be helpful if candidates could also demonstrate:
Experience of successfully leading an organisation through large scale transformational change.
Benefits
Benefits
• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension
Things you need to know
Security
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check.
Selection process details
To
apply for this post, you will need to complete the online application
process which includes completing the application form as outlined
below.
This should be completed no later than 23:55 on 9th February 2020.
1. A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years.
2. A Statement of Suitability (no longer than two pages) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the criteria in the person specification.
Failure to submit both (CV and Statement of Suitability) will mean the panel only have limited information on which to assess your application against the criteria in the person specification.
Please ensure that both documents contain your full name.
Should you encounter any issues with your online application please get in touch with Jo Choudrie on:
Jo.choudrie@HMRC.gov.uk
If you do not receive acknowledgement of your application within 48 hours via the automated system, please contact us.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
This should be completed no later than 23:55 on 9th February 2020.
1. A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years.
2. A Statement of Suitability (no longer than two pages) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the criteria in the person specification.
Failure to submit both (CV and Statement of Suitability) will mean the panel only have limited information on which to assess your application against the criteria in the person specification.
Please ensure that both documents contain your full name.
Should you encounter any issues with your online application please get in touch with Jo Choudrie on:
Jo.choudrie@HMRC.gov.uk
If you do not receive acknowledgement of your application within 48 hours via the automated system, please contact us.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Nationality requirements
Open to UK, Commonwealth and European Economic Area (EEA) and certain non EEA nationals. Further information on whether you are able to apply is available here.
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles.
The
Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity.
There is a guaranteed interview scheme (GIS) for candidates with
disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
| Job contact : | ||
| Name : | Jo Choudrie | |
| Email : | Jo.choudrie@HMRC.gov.uk | |
| Recruitment team : | ||
| Email : | hmrcrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk | |
Further information
Appointment
to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission’s
Recruitment Principles. You have the right to complain if you feel a
department has breached the requirement of the Recruitment Principles.
In the first instance, you should raise the matter directly with the
department concerned. If you are not satisfied with the response, you
may bring your complaint to the Commission. For further information on
bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their
web pages:
http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/civil-service-recruitment/complaints/
Good luck finding someone who can actually do this job in such a short period of time!
Tax does have to be taxing.
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"
Wednesday 22 January 2020
Freelance Market Fucked By IR35
The government's and HMRC's botched handling of the rules relating to off-payroll workers (IR35) is likely to completely fuck up the freelance contracting industry.
The FT reports that leading recruitment companies have demanded a delay and rethink to forthcoming UK tax changes that they warn will damage the industry’s growth and increase tax avoidance.
Companies including Adecco, Harvey Nash, Hays, Reed and ManpowerGroup wrote to Chancellor Sajid Javid on Monday urging him to think twice on changes to the rules for off-payroll workers, known as IR35.
Freelancers who bill for their services via a limited company currently assess whether they are employed or self-employed for tax purposes. But from April, all large and medium-sized UK companies will be required to assess the employment status of contractors they use, to tackle what HMRC calls “disguised employment”, where workers and companies avoid paying income tax and national insurance.
HMRC estimates that only one in 10 people in the private sector who should be paying tax under the current IR35 rules are doing so correctly. The reforms are projected to bring in £3bn over the next four years.
The changes will mean hiring companies, and anyone involved in the labour supply chain such as recruitment agencies, will be liable for unpaid tax if HMRC finds a worker has been wrongly classified. Hirers will need to prove they have taken “reasonable care” assessing their contractors, or risk being liable for any shortfall in tax and national insurance.
People, who are not freelancers, may well say "does this matter?".
It will mean that companies and organisations looking for contractors (eg IT specialists etc) will find that the supply dries up.
Ironically organisations such as HMRC rely heavily on such contractors!
Tax does have to be taxing.
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"
Tuesday 21 January 2020
The Hamster Ate My Post
As per gov.uk every year, HMRC receives some imaginative excuses and expense claims following the 31 January Self Assessment deadline.
To wrap up the decade, and with 2 weeks to the deadline, HMRC has highlighted 10 of the most weird and wonderful excuses we have received from customers who missed the deadline over the last 10 years.
The top 10 most bizarre excuses and questionable expenses claims for items, in reverse order, are:
- caravan rental for the Easter weekend
- I was up a mountain in Wales, and couldn’t find a post box or get an internet signal
- my dog ate the post … again
- claiming £4.50 for sausage and chips meal expenses for 250 days
- my hamster ate my post
- I’ve been cruising round the world in my yacht, and only picking up post when I’m on dry land
- a music subscription so I can listen to music while I work
- pet food for a Shih Tzu ‘guard dog’
- a DJ was too busy with a party lifestyle – spinning the deck….in a bowls club
- my mother-in-law is a witch and put a curse on me
Tax does have to be taxing.
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"
Monday 20 January 2020
HMRC Issues Late Filing Penalty Two Weeks Early
HMRC has been accused of "gross incompetence" having incorrectly fined a Norfolk business for late tax returns - despite the deadline being in a fortnight.
Eastern Daily Press reports that Debit and Credit Accountancy, a family run business based in Wroxham, spotted the taxman's blunder when a client was slapped with the £100 fine.
Following a complaint, HMRC has revoked the fine.
Tax does have to be taxing.
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"
Friday 17 January 2020
Lawress Hall Up For Sale - Price on Application
The Lincolnite reports that Lawress Hall the residential training college for HMRC on the outskirts of Lincoln with 127 bedrooms and surrounded by Riseholme Park is up for sale.
Lawress Hall, which totals 122,304 square feet and is located 2.5 miles north of Lincoln, is being marketed by Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH).
It includes a leisure complex with a swimming pool and gym, dedicated seminar and training rooms, catering and entertaining facilities, as well as parking for 245 cars.
The training and conference centre, which was purpose built in 1994 for HMRC, will be sold long leasehold, with vacant possession on completion in April 2021.
Tax does have to be taxing.
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"
Thursday 16 January 2020
Cabinet Post Needed
As I have repeated ad nauseam on https://t.co/966KEzrnPB over the years, HMRC needs a specific cabinet post created with a minister directly responsible for, and accountable for, HMRC's behaviour.— Ken Frost (@ken_frost) January 16, 2020
Tax does have to be taxing.
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"
HMRC Scores 1.5 Stars on Trustpilot
Hmrc Reviews
450 • Bad
Reviews 450
Bad
91%
Source Trustpilot
Tax does have to be taxing.
Professional Cover Against the Threat of Costly TAX and VAT Investigations
Insurance to protect you against the cost of enquiry or dispute with HMRC is available from several sources including Solar Tax Investigation Insurance.
Ken Frost has negotiated a 10% discount on any polices that may suit your needs.
However, neither Ken Frost nor HMRCISSHITE either endorses or recommends their services.
What is Solar Tax Investigation Insurance?
Solar Tax Investigation Insurance is a tax-fee protection service that will pay up to £75,000 towards your accountant's fees in the event of an HM Revenue & Customs full enquiry or dispute.
To find out more, please use this link Solar Tax Investigation Insurance
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"
Wednesday 15 January 2020
Online Filing Deadline Reminder
As we approach the 31 January online filing deadline for self assessment tax, I am sure I don't need to remind loyal readers that if you miss the deadline by even one day you will be liable for an automatic £100 fine.
I am sure I don't need to remind you of this!
However, consider yourselves reminded!
Tax does have to be taxing.
Professional Cover Against the Threat of Costly TAX and VAT Investigations
Insurance to protect you against the cost of enquiry or dispute with HMRC is available from several sources including Solar Tax Investigation Insurance.
Ken Frost has negotiated a 10% discount on any polices that may suit your needs.
However, neither Ken Frost nor HMRCISSHITE either endorses or recommends their services.
What is Solar Tax Investigation Insurance?
Solar Tax Investigation Insurance is a tax-fee protection service that will pay up to £75,000 towards your accountant's fees in the event of an HM Revenue & Customs full enquiry or dispute.
To find out more, please use this link Solar Tax Investigation Insurance
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"
Tuesday 14 January 2020
Beware The Scammers!
🔉 Scam warning: genuine recording.
— Which? (@WhichUK) January 12, 2020
With tax return season now upon us, January always sees a rise in attempted HMRC scams.
Which? has obtained two scam voicemails of fraudsters purporting to be from @HMRCgovuk
.
We explain how the scam works so you can spot it.
Please RT pic.twitter.com/jUuHGPe5kr
Tax does have to be taxing.
Professional Cover Against the Threat of Costly TAX and VAT Investigations
Insurance to protect you against the cost of enquiry or dispute with HMRC is available from several sources including Solar Tax Investigation Insurance.
Ken Frost has negotiated a 10% discount on any polices that may suit your needs.
However, neither Ken Frost nor HMRCISSHITE either endorses or recommends their services.
What is Solar Tax Investigation Insurance?
Solar Tax Investigation Insurance is a tax-fee protection service that will pay up to £75,000 towards your accountant's fees in the event of an HM Revenue & Customs full enquiry or dispute.
To find out more, please use this link Solar Tax Investigation Insurance
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"
Monday 13 January 2020
Do Not Create Fear In Others!
Happy 3months (almost) anniversary of full & unfettered intranet access, @jimharra 💋:— HMRCon_Intranet (@HmrconI) January 10, 2020
Let's celebrate with your "commitments" to staff!🙄
How you got the audacity to putting this on your intranet, after what you collectively did to #LoanCharge victims, is beyond us?@BaloPig pic.twitter.com/Rm3UGZFDmQ
It beggars belief that HMRC have to tell their staff not to create fear in others!
Tax does have to be taxing.
Professional Cover Against the Threat of Costly TAX and VAT Investigations
Insurance to protect you against the cost of enquiry or dispute with HMRC is available from several sources including Solar Tax Investigation Insurance.
Ken Frost has negotiated a 10% discount on any polices that may suit your needs.
However, neither Ken Frost nor HMRCISSHITE either endorses or recommends their services.
What is Solar Tax Investigation Insurance?
Solar Tax Investigation Insurance is a tax-fee protection service that will pay up to £75,000 towards your accountant's fees in the event of an HM Revenue & Customs full enquiry or dispute.
To find out more, please use this link Solar Tax Investigation Insurance
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"
Friday 10 January 2020
HMRC Multiple Systems Crashes
It seems that HMRC's systems (the ones that taxpayers use) have been up and down like yoyos this week.
Given that January is the time when many file their tax returns, this is not the best time for this sort of shenanigans!
Apparently the HMRC systems are just down for Agents i.e. Accountants— Elaine Clark - CheapAccounting.co.uk expert (@cheapaccounting) January 9, 2020
I know HMRC don't like accountants but preventing us from doing our job is a bit extreme
Perhaps we should sue them for "Discrimination Against Accountants" https://t.co/FbUbjtkEU1
Does anyone know why this is happening?HMRC and the 650 journeymen in the Commons are taking the p**s. The HMRC website has stopped working for the THIRD time this week. Time for @sajidjavid to step up to the mark and cancel late filing penalties for 31 January 2020. #hmrc— Stuart Jones (@StuartJones) January 9, 2020
Tax does have to be taxing.
Professional Cover Against the Threat of Costly TAX and VAT Investigations
Insurance to protect you against the cost of enquiry or dispute with HMRC is available from several sources including Solar Tax Investigation Insurance.
Ken Frost has negotiated a 10% discount on any polices that may suit your needs.
However, neither Ken Frost nor HMRCISSHITE either endorses or recommends their services.
What is Solar Tax Investigation Insurance?
Solar Tax Investigation Insurance is a tax-fee protection service that will pay up to £75,000 towards your accountant's fees in the event of an HM Revenue & Customs full enquiry or dispute.
To find out more, please use this link Solar Tax Investigation Insurance
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"
Thursday 9 January 2020
HMRC Failures "Mind Boggling"
This Is Money reports that HMRC refused to warn people it had
launched investigations into the administrators of fraudulent pension
schemes registered with it, enabling the scammers to continue to fleece
hundreds more victims.
Some lost nest
eggs worth more than £200,000 after unwittingly transferring them into
the rogue schemes, even after the swindlers running them had been
arrested by HMRC officers.
Andy Agathangelou, from the Transparency
Task Force which is demanding a public enquiry into the scandal, said
the situation would be farcical if it weren't so tragic.
'Some of HMRC's failures are mind boggling and ordinary hard working people have paid the price for their failings by losing everything they have worked and saved for.'
Tax does have to be taxing.
Professional Cover Against the Threat of Costly TAX and VAT Investigations
Insurance to protect you against the cost of enquiry or dispute with HMRC is available from several sources including Solar Tax Investigation Insurance.
Ken Frost has negotiated a 10% discount on any polices that may suit your needs.
However, neither Ken Frost nor HMRCISSHITE either endorses or recommends their services.
What is Solar Tax Investigation Insurance?
Solar Tax Investigation Insurance is a tax-fee protection service that will pay up to £75,000 towards your accountant's fees in the event of an HM Revenue & Customs full enquiry or dispute.
To find out more, please use this link Solar Tax Investigation Insurance
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"
Tuesday 7 January 2020
Media Needs To Learn The Difference Between Evasion and Avoidance
The Scotsman gleefully reports that
Edinburgh is one of the top spots for UK tax avoiders, a new investigation has revealed.
That is all very well and dandy, until you read the article and discover that the writer was referring to a report which said:
"The capital is home to 145 people who have admitted underpaying tax from offshore investments last year...In other words, unless the underpayment was due to a genuine mistake, these underpayments were tax evasion NOT tax avoidance.
....
Colin Wright, chairman of UHY Hacker Young group, said: “HMRC’s crackdown on taxpayers offshore is prompting more individuals in Edinburgh to come in from the cold and make a voluntary disclosure.
“The growing resources at HMRC’s disposal means there is nowhere to hide for taxpayers with undeclared offshore interests. It, therefore, makes a lot of financial sense to make a disclosure as this can reduce penalties from up to 200 per cent of unpaid tax to less than 100 per cent.”
He added: “HMRC does not discriminate and will come down hard on all taxpayers with undeclared offshore interests – even if an error on a tax return arises from a genuine mistake. It is therefore important that taxpayers keep their affairs up to date.”
Therefore will the media and politicians please get it into their heads that avoidance and evasion are two entirely different things; one being legal, the other being illegal!
Tax does have to be taxing.
Professional Cover Against the Threat of Costly TAX and VAT Investigations
Insurance to protect you against the cost of enquiry or dispute with HMRC is available from several sources including Solar Tax Investigation Insurance.
Ken Frost has negotiated a 10% discount on any polices that may suit your needs.
However, neither Ken Frost nor HMRCISSHITE either endorses or recommends their services.
What is Solar Tax Investigation Insurance?
Solar Tax Investigation Insurance is a tax-fee protection service that will pay up to £75,000 towards your accountant's fees in the event of an HM Revenue & Customs full enquiry or dispute.
To find out more, please use this link Solar Tax Investigation Insurance
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Monday 6 January 2020
HMRC's Dodgy Pension Records
HMRC has vowed to overhaul how it deals with taxpayers investigating unexplained gaps in their state pension records following one woman’s 10-month battle to correct hers.
Lyndsey Jones, an FT journalist, noticed a missing year in her national insurance record when she checked her state pension forecast a year ago as part of her long-term retirement planning.
The gap left her one year short of the 35 years of qualifying contributions needed to get the full amount. Ms Jones disputed the gap, which dated back to 1988-89, when she was employed full-time as a reporter on the Egham Informer newspaper in Surrey.
However, HMRC could not find records for the disputed year, and said Ms Jones would have to provide evidence that the contributions were made on her behalf by producing payslips, P60s or bank statements from 30 years ago.
After Ms Jones lodged a formal complaint in October, HMRC contacted her to say it had traced the missing NI contributions and would be reviewing its training and working practices as a result.
HMRC told Ms Jones that the problem arose because the missing records had been kept on microfilm which had not been uncovered in previous searches.
HMRC is quoited by the FT:
“We are glad that we have been able to help Ms Jones achieve the right outcome. While most customers’ national insurance records will be correct, this demonstrates the value of the government service Check Your State Pension that enables customers to check their individual records and resolve any inaccuracies.Sir Steve Webb, director of policy with Royal London and a former pensions minister, said the case was “shocking” and should trigger a wider review.
It was only as further information came to light, as a result of our continued engagement with Ms Jones, that we were able to identify the specific errors in the employer’s payroll returns which had prevented Ms Jones’ contributions being allocated to her national insurance record.
Tracing missing records can be complex and span decades; there may also be errors made by employers that can delay our usual processes. This means the time to trace records can vary.
We continuously strive to improve the support we can offer our customers and welcome the opportunity to receive any feedback to enable us to inform this process.”
“It is shocking that members of the public have to do battle with HMRC to get what is rightfully theirs.Check your pension herehttps://www.gov.uk/check-state-pension.
It is hard to believe that this is an isolated case. HMRC should be proactively reviewing cases where they have been alerted to potential problems with NI records as well as understanding more systematically how these errors have arisen in the first place.”
Tax does have to be taxing.
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What is Solar Tax Investigation Insurance?
Solar Tax Investigation Insurance is a tax-fee protection service that will pay up to £75,000 towards your accountant's fees in the event of an HM Revenue & Customs full enquiry or dispute.
To find out more, please use this link Solar Tax Investigation Insurance
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"
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