In the UK, in contrast to some of the ClubMed nations such as Greece and Italy where tax dodging is a national disease, contributing to the greater welfare of the state is regarded as a civic duty. Is it any wonder then that we feel utter disgust when we discover that some of the individuals and corporations that are best able to pay their share of taxes because of their wealth decide they don’t have to?

 

These mercenaries – people, for example, such as the all-too-clever comedian Jimmy Carr, exposed as ruthlessly exploiting a highly aggressive but legal scheme to minimise his tax payments – use financial and legal wizards who specialise in tax avoidance and operate below the radar. Continue reading →