Well, now I've grabbed your attention with a sensationalist headline, I have to admit that the option to tax is not forever gone (more is the pity I hear some of you say!), however, the title does bear some relevance to something I overheard today.
The most common query we ever receive is whether an option flows with a building or not. It's a common misunderstanding, but as my colleague put it so well today, 'the option to tax dies with each separate person's interest'. (Isn't it hard not to earwig into other people's conversations in an open plan office!)
Dramatic description, but certainly gets the point across!
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Friday, April 17, 2009
Where has Winne the Pooh's Honey gone?
A recent Tribunal case made us laugh in the office (yes, even VAT and Customs Duties can be amusing at times!).
The case concerned a jar of honey, posted from Australia to the UK Appellant as a gift, the weight of the jar of honey was 1.8kg.
Unfortunately for the Appellant, the legal import or honey is only 1KG - therefore what did Customs do - seized it!
The Appellant therefore appeals, wanting his jar of honey for his toast no doubt and in no doubt that he was not going to let the Customs Officer have honey on his toast instead.... The Chairman, whilst acknowledging that Customs acted within the law, stated:
"I also confess to having found it somewhat bewildering that a case, that generated a weight of paper very significantly in excess of the weight of honey, was occasioned simply by the personal importation of one quantity of honey being unproblematic, whilst importation of the same honey involved the destruction of the honey"!!
Winnie the Pooh will now make sure his Uncle sends his honey in 1KG jars in a number of unconnected gifts - good to know our taxes pay for such relevant and productive cases!
The case concerned a jar of honey, posted from Australia to the UK Appellant as a gift, the weight of the jar of honey was 1.8kg.
Unfortunately for the Appellant, the legal import or honey is only 1KG - therefore what did Customs do - seized it!
The Appellant therefore appeals, wanting his jar of honey for his toast no doubt and in no doubt that he was not going to let the Customs Officer have honey on his toast instead.... The Chairman, whilst acknowledging that Customs acted within the law, stated:
"I also confess to having found it somewhat bewildering that a case, that generated a weight of paper very significantly in excess of the weight of honey, was occasioned simply by the personal importation of one quantity of honey being unproblematic, whilst importation of the same honey involved the destruction of the honey"!!
Winnie the Pooh will now make sure his Uncle sends his honey in 1KG jars in a number of unconnected gifts - good to know our taxes pay for such relevant and productive cases!
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
ITV - Taking on the Taxman
Did anyone watch the programme on Monday night? In the main those sensationalist ITV programmes are switched off in my house - but this had to be an exception!
It was good to finally see the problems our clients face being given the airtime they deserve. Of course, as HMRC said, these are only the odd mistakes of theirs and not the norm - but I am sure we all know someone who has suffered at the hands of the these small odd mistakes!
What really intrigued me is, apparently HMRC receive letters of thanks for their efforts and help - go on then, hands up those who had the time to write to them, let alone didn't get 3 different answers every time they called the National VAT 'Helpline'??!!
It was good to finally see the problems our clients face being given the airtime they deserve. Of course, as HMRC said, these are only the odd mistakes of theirs and not the norm - but I am sure we all know someone who has suffered at the hands of the these small odd mistakes!
What really intrigued me is, apparently HMRC receive letters of thanks for their efforts and help - go on then, hands up those who had the time to write to them, let alone didn't get 3 different answers every time they called the National VAT 'Helpline'??!!
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