Should tax evaders be named and shamed?

John Fitzsimons
by Lovemoney Staff John Fitzsimons on 16 August 2012  |  Comments 13 comments

As the taxman publishes details of its most wanted tax evaders, we ask whether going public is the best way to bring them to justice and crack down on tax evasion?

Should tax evaders be named and shamed?

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has published a gallery of 20 of the nation’s most wanted tax evaders.

The taxman reckons these individuals – many of whom are believed to be living outside the UK – are responsible for £765 million of tax evasion and fraud. It believes that by publishing this information, members of the public may help them track down the tax fugitives.

The pictures have been published on the HMRC’s Flickr account. The people featured include those who have already been found guilty of crimes such as money laundering and smuggling, while others have outstanding warrants for their arrest.

It’s important to note that these people have committed tax evasion, which is illegal, unlike tax avoidance, which is what celebrities like Jimmy Carr were slammed for earlier this year.

So do you think the taxman is right to go public in this way?

 

 

More on tax:

Why Britain needs a worldwide tax

How to get a tax refund

Are 'cash in hand' payments morally wrong?

Talking about your inheritance is not evil

How a Robin Hood tax would benefit you

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Comments (13)

  • Tanni
    Love rating 91
    Tanni said

    @ electricblue, yes they must be named and shamed and yes the law needs to addressed.

    PayPal eBay are based abroad, but why are 90% of the banks in London not paying full rates of tax. London has more tax dodgers than most and most of these work in the city. Do not forget the many illegals evading tax but when you compare to what the banks getaway with it is tiny in comparison but easy to blame illegals rather then the bank rolling crooks; the banks. It's all about who and what you know. These firms employ a herd of lawyers and accountants who bend over backwards to ensure savings are made by not paying tax.

    Report on 18 August 2012  |  Love thisLove  0 loves
  • Henry-GBG
    Love rating 46
    Henry-GBG said

    Change the system. Nobody evades paying property tax. Why are people so against taxes that cannot be evaded? We ask for trouble and are then surprised when it comes-.

    Report on 11 January 2013  |  Love thisLove  0 loves

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