Someone I know very well not paid a penny in tax in years

[mrsmusic]

Not really an AIBU... I have recently found out that BIL, who has been running two small businesses for a few years, has never registered these businesses, never had any books etc. It makes me so mad! We pay thousands in tax every year and to me it's stealing from society and making a mockery of those who do put in and contribute. If it wasn't someone so close, I'd have been on the phone to the tax people by now. I asked a close friend for their advice and it was to leave it, as what goes around comes around (e.g. he'll never be able to get a mortgage) and the tax office will catch up eventually. And I've nothing to gain from it, so I won't. WWYD? Honestly?

Its really interesting that there is no big campaign by the government to shop tax fraud

I expect in costs them more in lost revenue than benefit fraud ever does

Do all of those who think the BIL shouldn't be reported also think that Phillip Green of topshop fame is right to use all legal tax loop holes he can to pay as little tax as possible?

Self employed people have generous rules on tax deductions so even if he was legit he may not have to pay a great deal of tax.
Its proportionate to his income if he doesn't earn a lot he won't pay a lot. But he should pay something.
Ask yourself does he use the nhs, get his bins emptied, have, had or potentially in the future have children in school, will he expect the police/fire Service or ambulance to come if he needs them, is he expecting to get a pension when he is older? If any of these is a yes then he should pay tax.
To people who say leave him alone it's not much he's family etc I would ask if they use public services and how they expect them to be financed if everybody had the same view?
Report him.

Comrade- ime some people have a weirdly hypocritical approach to this, and condone fraud but are critical of legitimate ways of reducing tax bills!

Go online and shop him, the only personal info about yourself you need to give is an email address.
I reported a family member at the weekend, and to be honest I felt a huge burden lift from my shoulders.

I get pretty annoyed when I see people pick and choose which level of income they want to declare (or not) whilst taking all the service benefits that honest tax payers fund.

I would not tell on him. You have no idea of the implications and full consequences of those actions or the effect it may have on your whole family a whole.
I understand that it's really really annoying. I sort have have the same situation with a relative and argue about NHS, schools, contributing to society. But not for one second would I consider telling the authorities. Are you sure you can live with the full consequences of your actions? Could you go to family events and look him the eye with him not knowing it was you who told HMRC? Or would have the courage to tell him to his face?

'Live & let live'? WTF? It is stealing. Just not as obvious as someone breaking into your home and robbing your possessions but it is still basic theft.

To vanilla, the responsibility for what might happen to him/ his family if he was found out is HIS. He took the decision not to set his business up legit.
We don't know what he does or his customers but it's possible that either he comes into contact with the HMRC through his customers /?suppliers, or he get an upset customer client or supplier who does it instead. Any one could do it any time the consequences will be the same, just because the op doesn't do it it doesn't mean it won't happen.
If he is that foolish then he deserves what happens, it's not a case of waking up one morning and remembering ..oops I forgot it's football after school or what ever not ... Oops I accidentally havent been paying tax.

Im not getting back into discussing the rights and wrongs hammy02. Just making the point that im sick of people thinking they can casually call somebody a wanker just for disagreeing with them. Would they do that in real life? I doubt it.

I am a Self Employed CM and I declare every penny, including cash payments. I only claim back legitimate expenses and pay a ridiculous amount of tax.

It makes me really cross when other people do not pay, but still expect to receive all their benefits. I hope he is not also claiming Council Tax relief, Job Seekers Allowance, or anything else, which would mean he is effectively being paid to not declare his earnings!

You have no idea of the implications and full consequences of those actions or the effect it may have on your whole family a whole.

See this scares me.
It's been going on about 8 years. He still lives at home with his parents; they helped him 'set up' his businesses.

0800 788 887

Tax evasion hotline. You can call up without giving your details.

If he isn't paying tax or NI then like the other posters I assume he's mot claimimg benefits of using the tax funded resources of this country.

I'm with Peachy, HSMM and others. Everything goes through DH's books whether cash or cheque. He doesnt have much tax to pay but pays his share and also pays his NI.

Personally I would shop anyone who cheats or scrounges. It is stealing.

'If he isn't paying tax or NI then like the other posters I assume he's mot claimimg benefits of using the tax funded resources of this country'. I don't understand this. You don't get asked for your tax/NI details when enrolling a child in school, going to the hospital/GP etc. I would imagine it is fairly impossible to live in this country and not use a single service provided by the taxpayer.

I'm on PAYE. OH works for himself and everything's through the books.

Well it's not going to get any better the longer he leaves it. As I already said, all it needs is one pissed or malicious off customer or supplier, ex friend ex gf anyone with a grudge, to fire off a few letters / nasty phone calls.
Where I work (a large organisation) we get anonymous reports of employees wrong doing all the time. Mis use of vehicles, fiddlibg expenses overtime stealing you name it. Some are incorrect some are on the button.

If he is investigated whatever happens to him is his responsibility nit your for reporting it.
Here is a slightly different scenario
Child killed by a hit and run driver, driver wasnt initially identified, he has now been found and arrested. I am assuming that a family member or friend took the very difficult but morally right view and reported him. Is it their fault he is under arrest and facing a court case . No it's his for driving dangerously and leaving.

Same thing it's whatever happens isn't your fault for reporting it it's his for doing it in the first place.

So your BIL steals from you.

Next time you feel irate at any one of the million cuts facing you, your kids, the old, the sick, the disabled, the poor, do save a hefty bit of anger for the sponger in the family, won't you? He's helping make it a little bit more difficult for all of us. Way to go, BIL!

I am not on PAYE, but I file tax return and declare all my income. Others pay through PAYE.

If one does not agree with the tax system, one can always try to vote in a party that will reflect their views/interests and hope for the change or fuck off to live elsewhere more palatable tax-wise. If they live in the UK, they must adhere to our current system. Or pay accordingly in fines and jail time.

I have a tiny thing that makes no profit and isn;t even running properly atm for avrious reasons and yet is fully declared to Carers, HMRC, etc. I don;t pay tax but I do have to pay class 2 NI. So if I had not registered on the profit basis I would be cheating no?

They will find out; a back audit by HMRC will pick up leads they check from customers, and whilst it may be ahrd if he calls them and says I screwed up, being found out will be worse.

WRT to cah at checkout isnt one budget advice thing to get all your moeny for the week after bills etc in cash then you can see what you have left?

I wonder how many people who disagree with tax evasion are happy to pay the tradesman in cash if it saves them 20% ?
I refuse to pay cash on the grounds that it's aiding and abetting theft.