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HMRC accused of 'bully boy tactics'
The HM Revenue & Customs who have been accused of "bully boy tactics" for sending high earners letters, asking why they are not paying more tax.
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HMRC taking a 'computer says yes' approach to tax
Mike Down, of accountancy firm Baker Tilly, said the HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) should be checking tax returns to see whether individuals had already explained their circumstances.
He told the Daily Telegraph that The Revenue is "adopting a computer says yes approach, rather than simply checking the tax returns".
One case involved an elderly widow whose effective tax rate was low because she was giving more than half her income to charity.
HMRC forms a 'trial to help people with mistakes'
The HM Revenue & Customs who have been accused of "bully boy tactics" for sending high earners letters ask why they are not paying more tax, have responded to the claims.
An HMRC spokeswoman said:
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HMRC accused of 'bully boy tactics' over tax letters
The HM Revenue & Customs has been accused of "bully boy tactics" for sending high earners letters asking why they are not paying more tax.
Around 1,000 letters have been issued to people who have an income of more than £150,000 but are paying less than 22% in tax.
The letters state: "We can see from your Self Assessment tax return... that your effective rate of tax is lower than the average for people in your income bracket.
"There may be reasons why your effective rate of tax is correct. But it could mean that there is something wrong with your self assessment."