BKL tax partner David Whiscombe comments via the UK200Group on news that HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has launched a consultation on changes to its data-gathering abilities in order to tackle the “hidden economy”.
“I have no problem with HMRC collecting data provided it is used responsibly and openly. I am thinking of a case where HMRC undertook a lengthy and expensive enquiry on the basis of information allegedly held only to close it down eventually when they were forced to admit that the information held was either incorrect or non-existent. There should be a sanction against HMRC for such abuse.”