Should I shop 'em?

mufc689908

cford wrote: »

We have some friends - quite close friends to be fair - who have their own business... He does 95% of it, but she has a good income on her own...

However, his business is really taking off - can't say too much about it - but it's been going for about 3 - 4 years, and now is making some serious money...

We invited them round for a dinner party a couple of weeks ago, and it turns out that he hasn't even registered the company for VAT (and he's above the legislative threshold now), neither does the tax man know about his venture...

It doesn't appear the inland revenue will ever know either - if he's gotten away with it so far - how will he ever be found out?

Maybe jealousy is kicking in... Maybe I should just mind my own business... But when I see what I am paying - 10's of thousands each year in income tax - and I see them getting away without paying a penny, I just hate the fact that they can get away with it!!

Maybe it wouldn't be so bad if they weren't so smug about it - they have booked 3 fantastic holiday's next year - they didn't have one at all this year... And the designer clothes have now started as well... Like I say, it sounds like I am getting bitter - but it's more to do with my personal issue of having to PAY tax, rather than anyone not paying at all... if you get my drift...

Wouldn't want to say too much about their business other than it's quite unique, and is in such a market that means that it's difficult for anyone to really know it even exists (i.e. - it's not a shop!)

question is - should I advise the inland revenue of their company??? I am giving it some thought I must admit - just wondered what everyone else thought and whether I am on my own here - or whether I am just a jealous and twisted person without morals...

Some `friend` you are:rolleyes:

Like most bitter PAYE wage slaves cant you just be happy for him:question:

Davey2009

Well they can't be much of a freind if you want to report them, no matter how much you envy them.
Id leave well alone sooner or later the authorities will catch up with them & then they will really need your freindship.

MoneyMagnet

Nosht wrote: »

FWIW
America has started a whistleblowing scheme wherebye %ge awards are given if a successful conviction for tax evasion ensues.

Wow, that sounds a bit Orwellian! :shocked:


To the OP - I understand the bitter feelings, but if I was in your situation, I wouldn't shop my friends (assuming they're real friends). I would however point out to them that they're bound to get caught sooner or later, especially if they are talking about what they're up to. Chances are you aren't the only person they've told.

And as others have said, if you do report them, it would be wrong to continue with the friendship - if you go behind their back, you'd be just as dishonest as they are.

Mojisola

Davey2009 wrote: »

Well they can't be much of a freind if you want to report them, no matter how much you envy them.

If you knew that friends of yours were shoplifting, stealing cars or robbing houses, would you also keep quiet because they were friends?

MrCarrot

Mojisola wrote: »

If you knew that friends of yours were shoplifting, stealing cars or robbing houses, would you also keep quiet because they were friends?

I probably wouldn't remain friends with them. Although where do you draw the line? I don't consider tax evasion the same as stealing cars, the same way as most people wouldn't consider stealing a car to be the same as downloading a movie.

Mojisola

MrCarrot wrote: »

I probably wouldn't remain friends with them. Although where do you draw the line? I don't consider tax evasion the same as stealing cars, the same way as most people wouldn't consider stealing a car to be the same as downloading a movie.

I wonder why? Every time someone evades paying tax, others have to pay more so the theft is from lots of pockets, just the same as the costs of shoplifting have to be covered by the honest majority.

thistledome

Mojisola wrote: »

I wonder why? Every time someone evades paying tax, others have to pay more so the theft is from lots of pockets, just the same as the costs of shoplifting have to be covered by the honest majority.

So if the OP grasses up their "close friends" we will all pay less tax? What a load of crap.

Good way to justify being a spineless grass, though. A Grasses Charter.

melancholly

thistledome wrote: »

So if the OP grasses up their "close friends" we will all pay less tax? What a load of crap.

Good way to justify being a spineless grass, though. A Grasses Charter.

you know, i think telling the authorities about close friends is difficult, but the term 'spineless grass' is horrible. it's just not fair or appropriate. it's frustrating that someone feels like they are above paying tax, while using all the services that the rest of us pay for. it's scary that a post like this means that some people think this attitude is defensible!

anyway, the tax man always catches up with people. that's one thing none of us can avoid! OP - tell them what you think (perhaps sugar coat it a little!) and then decide if these are friends you want anyway... they don't sound so nice! i don't think i could shop them myself, but if they are gloating so much and earning so much, the system will catch them out and it will hurt.

Mojisola

melancholly wrote: »

you know, i think telling the authorities about close friends is difficult, but the term 'spineless grass' is horrible. it's just not fair or appropriate. it's frustrating that someone feels like they are above paying tax, while using all the services that the rest of us pay for. it's scary that a post like this means that some people think this attitude is defensible!

anyway, the tax man always catches up with people. that's one thing none of us can avoid! OP - tell them what you think (perhaps sugar coat it a little!) and then decide if these are friends you want anyway... they don't sound so nice! i don't think i could shop them myself, but if they are gloating so much and earning so much, the system will catch them out and it will hurt.

I certainly couldn't stay friends with people who were doing this, whether their theiving was reported or not.

MrCarrot

Mojisola wrote: »

I wonder why? Every time someone evades paying tax, others have to pay more so the theft is from lots of pockets, just the same as the costs of shoplifting have to be covered by the honest majority.

Why do I have a feeling that if every single tax evader started paying up, the rate of taxation would not actually come down?