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BGonaSTICK · 05-07-07, 02:32 PM

People who fail to pay their tax bills could see the money taken directly from their bank account without a court order under new government plans.

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) said the new powers would let it recover unpaid tax more quickly to stop evaders hiding their money and assets.

"In some cases, the time that the process takes allows the determined late payer to put assets out of reach before the order is made," it said.

Taking money from accounts may be less disruptive than seeking county court judgements against people and taking items from their homes, it said in a report.

Tax authorities in France, Australia, Ireland and Canada already have similar powers, HMRC said.

About 200,000 non-payers are pursued through the British courts each year. In March 2006, there was 22 billion pounds of unpaid taxes.

The proposed changes would give tax collectors the power to stake a claim on a property, so they could recover unpaid taxes when the house was sold.

Banks, mobile phone companies, estate agents and utility firms would be forced to disclose up-to-date addresses for people who can not be tracked down.

Tax experts said any changes must include safeguards to protect people refusing to pay disputed bills and those who share an account or house.

"If you have a joint bank account, if you've got jointly owned assets, you need the protection because it may not be your money that the Revenue are looking at," John Whiting, tax partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers, told BBC radio.

The proposals would require new legislation.

HMRC asked for people's views on the plans, outlined in a consultation paper on its Web site.

The department collected 400 billion pounds in taxes in the year to March 2006, nearly half of which was taken from employers through the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) system.

BGonaSTICK · 05-07-07, 02:39 PM

Whilst I'm totally against blatant tax evasion - no matter how unfair the taxes are - this is yet another piece of legislation that would negatively impact our civil liberties.

I wonder if it would allow them to dip into your overdraft facility?!?! >

It just means that tax dodgers will either open offshore accounts or go back to stuffing their cash under the mattress :

05-07-07, 02:32 PM	#1 (permalink)
BGonaSTICK Dodgy Geezer Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Brighton Posts: 9,718 Thanks: 3 Thanked 166 Times in 60 Posts	Taxman may seize unpaid bills from bank accounts People who fail to pay their tax bills could see the money taken directly from their bank account without a court order under new government plans. HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) said the new powers would let it recover unpaid tax more quickly to stop evaders hiding their money and assets. "In some cases, the time that the process takes allows the determined late payer to put assets out of reach before the order is made," it said. Taking money from accounts may be less disruptive than seeking county court judgements against people and taking items from their homes, it said in a report. Tax authorities in France, Australia, Ireland and Canada already have similar powers, HMRC said. About 200,000 non-payers are pursued through the British courts each year. In March 2006, there was 22 billion pounds of unpaid taxes. The proposed changes would give tax collectors the power to stake a claim on a property, so they could recover unpaid taxes when the house was sold. Banks, mobile phone companies, estate agents and utility firms would be forced to disclose up-to-date addresses for people who can not be tracked down. Tax experts said any changes must include safeguards to protect people refusing to pay disputed bills and those who share an account or house. "If you have a joint bank account, if you've got jointly owned assets, you need the protection because it may not be your money that the Revenue are looking at," John Whiting, tax partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers, told BBC radio. The proposals would require new legislation. HMRC asked for people's views on the plans, outlined in a consultation paper on its Web site. The department collected 400 billion pounds in taxes in the year to March 2006, nearly half of which was taken from employers through the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) system. __________________ Dreambox 7000, Skystar2 PCI, Skystar USB, Fibo 90cm on Moteck SG2100, Triax TD110 multi-LNB. Sky + ART cards. 45.0°E - 58.0°W

05-07-07, 02:39 PM	#2 (permalink)
BGonaSTICK Dodgy Geezer Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Brighton Posts: 9,718 Thanks: 3 Thanked 166 Times in 60 Posts	Re: Taxman may seize unpaid bills from bank accounts Whilst I'm totally against blatant tax evasion - no matter how unfair the taxes are - this is yet another piece of legislation that would negatively impact our civil liberties. I wonder if it would allow them to dip into your overdraft facility?!?! > It just means that tax dodgers will either open offshore accounts or go back to stuffing their cash under the mattress : __________________ Dreambox 7000, Skystar2 PCI, Skystar USB, Fibo 90cm on Moteck SG2100, Triax TD110 multi-LNB. Sky + ART cards. 45.0°E - 58.0°W