A laugh in this stressful time
Not only is there now just over a month to get the tax returns in but it’s also about to be Christmas! A double helping of stress. Here’s a few words of wisdom from Dan and Dan about how to get the best from your tax return.
Let's make it interesting – £1,000
Dear HMRC
It’s been another tough week, hey who likes to loose in the Court of Appeal? (details here http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/law/article2737778.ece)
Let’s end the week on something upbeat! For those not in the know: over the last two years HMRC has been investigating my income (I work as a freelance journalist). They have now sent me their final notices: it’s a grand total of £4,800.
The investigating officer Jacqui Lamper (01273 225465) seems convinced that she has a rock-solid case, her direct boss Peter Meekings (peter.meekings@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk) says, “I fully support Mrs Lamper” and the complaints’ officer, Dave Thomas (dave.p.thomas@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk) is also giving J Lamper his full support. Your overall director Paul Gray (paul.gray@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk) has been made aware of the case too.
J Lamper says the figure of £4,800 is being offered, “in order to resolve this without recourse to the Commissioners” and so the suggestion is that the final figure will actually be higher if indeed it does go to the Commissioners.
I believe J Lamper has handled this case poorly and that her figures are based on little more than wishful thinking. And I’m so convinced by this I’m willing to put my money where my mouth is: I’m willing to bet any single member of HMRC £1,000 that when this case is finally resolved it will be UNDER J Lamper’s figure.
So step up to the bar, email me and take my money!
Nick Morgan
Go somewhere warm this winter: www.tax-hell.co.uk
You can read a summery of events here: http://web.mac.com/nickmorgan/iWeb/HMRC/schedule.html
Letter to Paul Gray (HMRC Boss)
Dear Paul Gray
I have now seen strong evidence to suggest that J Lamper used Discovery Powers without having made a Discovery and that she habitually told untruths throughout the entire two-year investigation.
Will J Lamper now be suspended pending further investigation? If this is not the case what action will you be taking?
Sincerely
Nick Morgan
Letter to David Thomas
David Thomas
I’m still mystified by the area of discovery.
The strange thing is that when I asked first asked J Lamper if she’d made a discovery in December 2006 she said somewhat cryptically “I am unable to see where I have referred to discovery” and she seemed very reluctant to give a clear ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer, but she did eventually say that she had indeed made a discovery.
Then, when you listen to the clip at http://web.mac.com/nickmorgan/iWeb/HMRC/discovery.html – recorded in February 2007 J Lamper categorically states that she has made discoveries and she attempts to list them. However there are parts of the conversation where J Lamper appears to be struggling to breath – she is clearly very uncomfortable.
Yesterday I received a letter from J Lamper saying, “I signed the resulting [discovery assessment] notices on 6 September 2007.” That date – of course – is well after J Lamper used discovery powers.
I’m not a trained accountant so I don’t know exactly what’s gone wrong here (and we both agree that a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing) but I know enough to see all is not as it should be.
Are you in a position to state for the record - categorically – that as far as you and HMRC are concerned there has been no wrongdoing regarding discovery and the use of discovery powers?
I’ll be frank: you can either answer questions now or you can answer them before the Special Commissioners.
Nick Morgan
Go somewhere warm this winter: www.tax-hell.co.uk
See http://web.mac.com/nickmorgan/iWeb/HMRC/schedule.html for the full Schedule.
dave.p.thomas@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk
