Wednesday, October 25, 2006

Reflections on the way people prepare their tax returns

Have you ever wondered why
-people are quick to brag about their income, but refuse to list it all on their SA tax return?
-people refuse to drop a pound in the Salvation Army box, but are quick to list significant -miscellaneous cash donations when completing their Income tax returns.
-people refuse to share their age until they get an extra income tax deduction.
-someone refuses to discuss their weight - until they think that the cost of dieting can be considered a medical deduction.
- child support is such a contentious issue when everyone wants to claim everyone they ever knew as a dependant.

HOW strong is HMRC's case?

Years ago a senior official was talking about HMRC prosecution policy. He mentioned an occasion when he had lost a case and went back to his...