chyperie
Free Member
- Messages
- 22
Interesting, I was just going to say that when I retired from Local Government 20 odd years ago Council's had some of these powers to check Housing/Council Tax benefit claims against HMRC data. HMRC do have "impressive powers" or should that be frightening powers.These powers have been in force in a non digital way and were being used when I worked in the Inland Revenue back in the early 1970s. A good example being the requirement of banks and building societies to supply details of interest paid to individuals to HMIT. On the self employed side, a percentage of individuals would be expected to supply paper details of payments and invoices etc for closer scrutiny. Suspected evasion cases were interviewed and could be expected to supply details of amounts of money paid for holidays, spend at Christmas, tobacco consumption, alcohol etc and could build a very detailed picture of income with quite heavy fines and interest if fraud was detected, although plea bargaining could occur. So the system is simply being brought into the 21st century.
How very unfair I hear some say, but think of it in Motorhome terms, a minority of people who cannot or will not comply with how the hobby should be pursued, bringing down restrictions and more rules on the compliant majority.
Did you know that HM Customs and Revenue can enter your property without a warrant.
And I will add, before somebody gurns, I believe these powers would be better used against millionaire tax dodgers than those on benefits, although no one should be above the law.
The Revenue probably uses Linux, so Trev will be top of the list when they scan this forum!
Davy
I agree that far more scrutiny should take place over the millionaire tax dodgers!
Nothing for us ordinary folk to worry about unless we are trying to cheat the system. HMRC can look in my bank account anytime they want they'll find it very boring and a waste of there time!
