Tax rules must apply to everyone, says MP
“HM Revenue & Customs has succeeded in creating the impression that it takes a softer approach to large and powerful firms while being tougher on small businesses. Whether accurate or not, this notion is toxic for HMRC’s relationship with the vast majority of taxpayers”.
Richard Bacon MP
Commenting on the Commons public accounts committee’s report on HM Revenue & Customs’ handling of tax disputes, South Norfolk MP Richard Bacon, a member of the Committee, said:
“HM Revenue & Customs has succeeded in creating the impression that it takes a softer approach to large and powerful firms while being tougher on small businesses. Whether accurate or not, this notion is toxic for HMRC’s relationship with the vast majority of taxpayers. If all taxpayers are to have confidence that they are being treated even-handedly, HMRC must ensure that its dealings with large corporations are not just beyond reproach, but seen to be beyond reproach. Everyone is equal before the law. The same rules and fair treatment must apply - and be seen to apply - to everyone.
“HMRC has failed to follow its own processes for settling some large tax cases, in one instance resulting in a loss of interest payable that could potentially be as high as £20 million. While there is a need for confidentiality to protect individual taxpayers, this should not be used as a cloak to avoid scrutiny. HMRC officials have refused to answer legitimate questions about HMRC’s handling of tax cases, despite their clear duty to assist Parliament in establishing that HMRC’s work provides taxpayers with value for money. It is troubling that it was necessary to compel an HMRC official to give evidence under Oath because MPs could not get straight answers to their questions”.
20 December 2011
See also:
PAC REPORT: HMRC: PAYE, tax credit debt and cost reduction
PARLIAMENT: HM Revenue & Customs has failed taxpayers, says MP
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