Business leaders and Tory MPs attack HMRC for plan to issue fines of up to £3,000, while taking 'soft approach' to big firms
Tax officials have been accused by business leaders and Tory MPs of harassing small firms while taking a soft approach to the tax liabilities of major companies like Goldman Sachs.
"Despite the worsening economy, HMRC is launching this scheme regardless of the consequences," John Walker, national chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses, told the Independent.
The records checks also attracted criticism from Conservative backbenchers who pointed out that HMRC had recently let Goldman Sachs off part of its tax bill.
A parliamentary committee published a report last month expressing "serious concerns" about how tax officials agree large settlements with big business.
It came after campaigners took their first steps in a legal action to try to recoup £10m in tax from Goldman Sachs, the multi-national investment banking outfit. It follows the leaking of internal tax documents to the Guardian revealing that the bank had avoided interest payments thanks to a secret deal with the head of HMRC.
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