AIBU to be cross when self employed people use accountants to manipulate their earnings?

[donkeyderby]

Like the people I know who manage to get free prescriptions and free school meals, thanks to clever accounting, while living in swanky houses in nice neighbourhoods. One partner is the self-employed person, the other becomes 'company secretary'. The wages supposedly get ploughed back into the business, which necessitates the purchase of laptops, i-phones, gardeners, cleaners etc., etc., all through the business, yet none of it really used in the business.

And all those builders etc., who ask to be paid in cash to avoid tax.

Surely the tax avoiders and evaders must be stopped as much as the benefits cheats?

Basically most contracts are not fully investigated so cases like I and Georgina mentioned are not challenged.

again - agreed.
and the majority of people putting their gardeners and such like through the business are not investigated.
It doesn't make it lawful though.

whereas other things that you can do are lawful.

OP, you do realise that the 'people in swanky houses' may have used said house to secure their business, may have a massive charge registered against it by the bank. You know that, don't you?

Crikey, a little knowledge is indeed a dangerous thing.