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AIBU?

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Original poster

To report her for tax evasion?

537 replies

hooveringhamabeads · 20/08/2017 12:32

I know of someone who is making around £1k a week, but hardly declares any of her income (she doesn't pay any tax at all so declaring less that £10k of it). She also claims tax credits.

I don't particularly like this person and am tempted to report her. Problem is, pretty much all the money she receives is in cash, so is there any way that the HMRC would actually be able to prove or disprove what she's earning?

OP posts:
Ketchup123 · 20/08/2017 22:00

Anyway, goodnight!

Winebomb · 20/08/2017 22:00

Any one purposely avoiding tax should and will meet the heavy hand of the law.

I was freelancing under an Ltd, and sacked my woefully shit accountant (think of a factory accountant for IT contractors), at the time my statement of intent was due.

Thankfully I wasn't trading at the time I noticed my business bank account had been seized, because My company had been made involuntarily discharged.

All my liabilities (as in tax) was in this bank account and because of my shit accountant who promised me he change my address, I had no idea it happened, because I received non notices.

But it was still an up hill struggle to prove I wasn't fishy! And that actually HC had all the money they needed..

anyone purposely thinking they can trade without reporting to HRMC, think again.

IfYouGoDownToTheWoodsToday · 20/08/2017 22:03

"Main point: Don't be a dick, we're talking a tiny amount if money, not enough to make a difference to anyone except the woman herself"

Are you on glue or just a bit thick?

mirren3 · 20/08/2017 22:04

HMRC have an address you can write to, print off the screenshots and send them everything you have, like where she'll be, car reg etc. I don't work all the hours I do to support someone like her.

PoorYorick · 20/08/2017 22:06

I thought it was past your bedtime already, Ketchup? Ach, what the hell. We all knew you were still lurking because you so conspicuously flounced. You'll be here till 3am.

I am genuinely sorry you didn't get the mild humour of 'so there', though. I threw it in there just for you, to appease your obsession and investment in words of one syllable. I was trying to be nice.

On another point, OP, if you have reason to believe this woman is committing tax evasion, you should report her even if you don't have honourable motives. Stealing from the public purse is a crime for a reason. People who commit crimes should be reported, even if they're a bit shit at it.

Ledbury · 20/08/2017 22:07

Ridiculous. If you think something criminal is occurring report it.

You have no way of knowing 100% of anything to do with her finances though.

Why post it here when you've already decided to do it.

PoorYorick · 20/08/2017 22:08

"Main point: Don't be a dick, we're talking a tiny amount if money, not enough to make a difference to anyone except the woman herself"

Are you on glue or just a bit thick?

I'm pretty sure it was the second one, but I'll check with the hamsters.

Coldkebab · 20/08/2017 22:10

Report her

cluelessnewmum · 20/08/2017 22:12

To me the tax evasion bothers me less than the claiming tax credits on top of it. It's one thing to wrongfully not pay into the system but it's a lot worse to do that plus also wrongfully take from the system.

If I found out a friend was doing that I'd struggle to be their friend as I'd lose all respect for them, but I don't think I'd report them.

If this person was an enemy I probably would report but only if it couldn't come back on me in anyway, ie if they'd work out it must have been me so then may want to get revenge on me / my family in some way.

I guess I'd think through the worse case scenario and work out if it was worth it.

MammaTJ · 20/08/2017 22:13

I need tax credits, due to my personal circumstances. I feel judged because of people like her, who cheat the system!

Report her, if you are sure of your facts!!

I highly suspect she may be into MLM though, where she tells the world she is earning shit loads, proving it by loading credit cards and actually tellling HMRC the truth!

OzziePopPop · 20/08/2017 22:15

Report. 100% absolutely, no question at all. For all of us genuine tax paying business people and so another cheat can be made an example of.

I run my own business and the first thing I do every month is tax and vat. Never ever get on the wrong side of the tax man.

I've been audited. It wasn't a big deal at all as my records were in order. If there's no problem with this persons business and she's compliant with the relevant laws etc then she will have no problem at all showing that. An investigation/audit will be a minor inconvenience that most likely she'll pass on to her accountant and job done. If she's running her business above board of course.

If she's not then that's one more freeloading individual shut down. Which benefits us all.

Report.

PoorYorick · 20/08/2017 22:16

I highly suspect she may be into MLM though, where she tells the world she is earning shit loads, proving it by loading credit cards and actually tellling HMRC the truth!

If that's the case, HMRC will check it out, see she's all above board, and nothing will happen. No harm done.

Summergarden · 20/08/2017 22:16

If you're certain then yes, report.
But YABU not to say what she does. I'm desperate to know! Please!!

OliviaStabler · 20/08/2017 22:18

Report her.

Poshjock · 20/08/2017 22:18

Rat, snitch. Makes not a bit of difference to me. I'd tell every day of the week - rather a snitch than a cheat and a criminal.

Middle Class crusader? Ha! Daughter of a miner, grand-daughter of a dockyard labourer and a lorry driver. My family worked long and hard hours to raise their children - but we are honest and law abiding.

This isn't about class. This is about obeying the law of the land. I live by our laws and I expect everyone else to. Again and for emphasis I have NO SHAME in reporting I've done it before and I'd do it again.

Middle class! if it wasn't so hilarious I'd be insulted.

ADishBestEatenCold · 20/08/2017 22:19

Who will look after her children if she gets a custodial sentence, OP?

If I were in your position and quite determined to report, that thought would bother me hugely.

Pippa12 · 20/08/2017 22:20

Report if your 100% sure- why not? We have to pay our taxes...

BR62Y · 20/08/2017 22:20

Is report her. I wouldn't report anyone I liked but as you don't it's ok!

Libitina · 20/08/2017 22:23

OP YANBU imo.

AmIthatbloodycold · 20/08/2017 22:26

Really Adish? It wouldn't bother me at all. It's her problem.

ginghamstarfish · 20/08/2017 22:29

Yes, report her. It's stealing from the pockets of those who do pay tax, and if she claims tax credits too then surely that's fraud (and again coming from the pockets of taxpayers.

SummerLovingGal · 20/08/2017 22:30

Someone I know was done for tax evasion. They ran a small farm and did b&b. Hmrc fined them according to the income they could have made, ie. it was impossible to say how many b&b guests they'd had, so they had to guess. The fine was tens of thousands as it covered a period of several years. No idea if they were reported or if hmrc worked out for themselves that something was amiss.
I say report her.

Cataline · 20/08/2017 22:34

Absolutely report her!

Why the fuck should some sneaky little tax avoider get away with paying no tax at all when the rest of us pay it without question?

People like this are absolute scum and deserve no special treatment of anyone looking the other way.

To those of you saying 'mind your own business', surely it's everyone's business if people are evading tax? Businesses and individuals who don't pay tax, make it so hard for those who are honest by keeping prices artificially and unfairly low for example.

Report her.

PoorYorick · 20/08/2017 22:35

If she is sentenced to prison and has young children who couldn't be cared for by anyone else for the duration, the court will take that into consideration and most likely give a suspended sentence.

All assuming she admits it or is found guilty, of course. Depending on the circumstances of the case, the penalty could be purely financial.

ethelfleda · 20/08/2017 22:37

Haven't RTFT but if absolutely report her. If she is earning £52k ish a year then that's over £14k per year in tax and NI that she isn't paying in to the system. That makes me so mad when there are cuts affecting the most vulnerable in society and yet this woman gets away with not contributing!
If say disliking the woman just makes it easier to report her.