Tax evasion and the State's finances.

[DeathKnell]

TBH - I am all for jailing tax cheats, but the mismanagement of this economy, the cheating politicians that are 'sheltered' under the Fianna Fail tent make me realise that its your duty, to save as much money from Public Service Incineration in the black hole....
I mean, where/what is the real 'black' economy, there hasn't been an accurate forecast out of the DoF for over a decade, so how are we to believe that they are spending the money on what they say..

I for one have a serious problem with giving MY money over to pay the likes of Beverly Cooper Flynn over 100k AND another 41000 tax free..

Ye can fvck off Cowen.....

[riker1969]

I agree that more tax Dogers should be jailed. It rarely happens. Two simple steps-start by a get tough policy that any person evading tax will at a minimum go before the district court. No deals will be cut until your court appearance is over.

Secondly-delay the first until after an Amnesty. Lets also keep in mind that not every small business has or is in danger of going bust. Very few expect unemployment to go above 12% in 2009 and you are naive if you think there is not a lot of money in savings accounts (perhaps abroad) that really belongs in the revenue's coffer.

[goosebump]

Why in The Bank Of IRE survey did 33,000 claim to be Millionaires in terms of income but the revenue only have records of 12,000?[/B] Our 'Bright' Minister for Finance recently asked for info on this!

Presumably, the Revenues records relate to income in a single year, whereas the BOI survey would have included people with retained income of €1m+?

[goosebump]

I for one have a serious problem with giving MY money over to pay the likes of Beverly Cooper Flynn over 100k AND another 41000 tax free..

Living in a democracy requires you to pay your taxes to whomever your peers (voters) decide you should pay taxes to.

If you have a problem with that, you should address it to said voters, or go and live somewhere else.

[kellsangel]

Everyone dragged to the District court can elect go have their case heard at the Circuit Court before a Jury.

Tax legislation is extensive and arbitrary in nature, leaving scope for appeals on the grounds of law and equity as well as the specific relevance of legislation to particular circumstances.

Even some of our senior judges have found themselves in a situation where in they have paid too little tax.


Appeals and due process must be extensive.

Determining an Actus Rea can be quite difficult.

Does it make sense to let violent thugs out of jail to imprison tax prisoners.

[riker1969]

Does it make sense to jail Petty Criminals whose loot might not even amount to €500 euro, but let tax dodgers who owe the state tens of thousands roam the street? Your petty thief might just have shoplifted and not taken his ill gotten gains by violence.

Surely, tax law could be simplified? Simplified that if there is direct evidence you were trying to hide money from the revenue-you go to jail. Like our poor miscreant above it would depend on his/her previous record.

Tax dodgers are taking money that could be spent on schools and hospitals. I work in a school where we have congealed fruit on the walls(thrown by kids) which cant be scrapped off and we cant afford to paint it. We have 8 year old computers.

[riker1969]

Presumably, the Revenues records relate to income in a single year, whereas the BOI survey would have included people with retained income of €1m+?

I wouldn't presume anything. Need to look it up.

[bagel]

given the gravity of the situation, i am inclined to agree with bertie ahern in that it would give me the greatest of pleasure to see tax cheats jailed;
good on ya bertie!