Tax evasion?

1940sGal

I was told today by a member of my family that someone we know has never paid tax in his life. He is a plasterer/builder by trade and takes cash in hand for the jobs he does (at an extortionate amount from what relatives have said). Anyway yeah, cash in hand and never pays tax and apparently has never had a bank account, either.

How can this work? I mean, if it's true, how can he have gone so long without paying tax? He's late 40s, so he's not a young lad and has been doing the same job all his life.

I don't have any hard proof, of course. The relative in question mentioned something about him 'not appearing on the system', whatever that means. My relative knows because the person in question is his brother in laws brother, if that makes sense, and they spend a lot of time in each others company.

But would it be worth giving the tax evasion line a call? I know his name and where he lives but like i said, no hard evidence. If it is true it's a bit of p**s take!

What do you think?

Teahfc

1940sGal wrote: »

I was told today by a member of my family Anyway yeah, cash in hand and never pays tax and apparently has never had a bank account, either.


I don't have any hard proof, of course.

I know his name and where he lives but like i said, no hard evidence. If it is true it's a bit of p**s take!

What do you think?

Not a benefit or tax question so belongs in discussions.

A friend of mine told me once that big companies do not pay tax but I have no hard proof or evidence, so I keep my nose out of it

chris1973

I don't have any hard proof, of course

Then it stops there then doesn't it. All you have is hearsay and Chinese Whispers, and third hand Chinese whispers at that. Ask yourself why the people telling you these things haven't reported him themselves?.

We all know how stories and information passed down through others becomes muddled don't we......

"send three or four pence we are going to a dance"

lovinituk

chris1973 wrote: »

"send three or four pence we are going to a dance"

LOL, I had to look that up as had never heard it before. Very good :T

http://quoteinvestigator.com/2011/08/26/reinforcements/

McKneff

He said, she said. Forget it.

Why are you so bothered about it.

If he's fiddling he will eventually be caught one way or another.

dacouch

A friend who is a carpet fitter had never paid tax and was "not on the system", they caught up with him aged 40 and hit him for a six figure sum. He was to pay this back over a certain amount of years but went back to cash work and did not pay them. Last I heard he was looking at a spell at HMP

Notmyrealname

1940sGal wrote: »

I was told today by a member of my family that someone we know has never paid tax in his life. He is a plasterer/builder by trade and takes cash in hand for the jobs he does (at an extortionate amount from what relatives have said). Anyway yeah, cash in hand and never pays tax and apparently has never had a bank account, either.

How can this work?
What do you think?

Keep your nose out without hard facts. With a bit of clever accounting (clever, not illegal), it is perfectly possible to earn money and not pay tax on it.

My business needs a turnover of £50,000 a year, more if I am really particular about tax deductible expenses, before I have to pay a penny in tax.

dseventy

Just shop him in, all this "keep your nose out" and "no evidence" rubbish!

Report him online here with all the details you know.

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/tax-evasion/hotline.htm

or call them (details half way down here)

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/Taxes/ContactOrDealWithHMRC/DG_10010579

If he has nothing to hide, then no problem! Let him answer questions rather than you!

If he has a "clever accountant" that somehow removes him from tax, let him explain it!

D70

Heycock

DSeventy...I wouldn't say "no problem" if he's got nothing to hide. He will have a HUGE problem. BUT it will be his own fault for trying to impress the ladies and being the "Big I Am".
Even if he's squeaky clean which is doubtful if he works cash, then a report will set all sorts of bells ringing at HMRC Inquiries and Investigations. They'll check their records and even if he's on the level,everything in order, tax returns up to date, tax due paid,....they'll be wondering why he feels the need to boast otherwise and just might decide to dig deeper into his affairs.
If you have undergone investigation by HMRC or know someone who has then you will know what a waking nightmare it is.
Innocent till proven guilty doesn't apply with the taxman. Basically they take a stance and you have to prove THEM wrong.

dseventy

Heycock wrote: »

If you have undergone investigation by HMRC or know someone who has then you will know what a waking nightmare it is.
Innocent till proven guilty doesn't apply with the taxman. Basically they take a stance and you have to prove THEM wrong.

Oh please. Save the violins and the death march for someone else.

The country is shafted, it needs tax to keep going. Everyone should pay their due (as per the rules).

I have been investigated. It took up time and a lot of paperwork, but it was fine. The HMRC are actually quite good at helping.

But this guy is alledgedly doing cash in hand and boasting?!

Shop him in OP and ignore the "no proof" "keep your nose out" brigade. Or if you don't want to, PM me, I wills shop him in without a care in the world.

D70

Horseunderwater

There was a wreckers yard not far from us and they got done approx 5 years back now. Never registered as Self empl. or had NI numbers or bank accounts and they got raided by the police one day for stolen metal as someone had heard that they were processing lead and other stuff taken by theives. The father went to jail, they found £750k under a panel in his bath. I forget what they did the son mother and his best mate for. But they were huge sums. HMRC got involved. They are still in business - just now they are fully registered and paying what they owe back. That was purely on hearsay and the police getting lucky on finding all that cash.