header-logo header-logo

HMRC: a nudge too far?

25 September 2015
Issue: 7669 / Categories: Legal News
printer mail-detail

Department accused of pressurising taxpayers with “nudge letters”

A tax lawyer has accused HMRC of circumventing normal dispute resolution processes by using “nudge” letters to pressurise individuals.

Adam Craggs, tax partner at RPC, claims HMRC are sending “carefully crafted” letters directly to taxpayers who dispute their tax bill, warning, for example, that they win the majority of cases that don’t settle and that the taxpayer may attract adverse publicity.

Craggs says he has replied to HMRC on behalf of clients with appeals pending at the tax tribunal to ask them not to send any more letters, and HMRC gave a “short, unsympathetic response”.

He says: “My clients find it intimidating. There is an anomaly here, in that solicitors are under a professional duty not to write directly to individuals, but HMRC officers do not have the same obligation. They’re very effective. They spook clients, who get very worried.

“Not only is this a tactic designed to pressurise taxpayers into settling their dispute, it also demonstrates just how far HMRC is prepared to

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Birketts—trainee cohort

Birketts—trainee cohort

Firm welcomes new cohort of 29 trainee solicitors for 2025

Keoghs—four appointments

Keoghs—four appointments

Four partner hires expand legal expertise in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Real estate team in Yorkshire welcomes new partner

NEWS
Robert Taylor of 360 Law Services warns in this week's NLJ that adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) risks entrenching disadvantage for SME law firms, unless tools are tailored to their needs
The Court of Protection has ruled in Macpherson v Sunderland City Council that capacity must be presumed unless clearly rebutted. In this week's NLJ, Sam Karim KC and Sophie Hurst of Kings Chambers dissect the judgment and set out practical guidance for advisers faced with issues relating to retrospective capacity and/or assessments without an examination
Delays and dysfunction continue to mount in the county court, as revealed in a scathing Justice Committee report and under discussion this week by NLJ columnist Professor Dominic Regan of City Law School. Bulk claims—especially from private parking firms—are overwhelming the system, with 8,000 cases filed weekly
Charles Pigott of Mills & Reeve charts the turbulent progress of the Employment Rights Bill through the House of Lords, in this week's NLJ
From oligarchs to cosmetic clinics, strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) target journalists, activists and ordinary citizens with intimidating legal tactics. Writing in NLJ this week, Sadie Whittam of Lancaster University explores the weaponisation of litigation to silence critics
back-to-top-scroll