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Google 'devious over tax bill'

Google was branded devious, calculating and unethical as furious MPs stepped up pressure on the internet giant over its efforts to shelter its multi-billion profits from UK taxes.

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HMRC staff are being bamboozled, says Hodge

Committee chairman Margaret Hodge has criticised HM Revenue and Customs chief executive Lin Homer over the way her staff interpreted the law in relation to companies like Google.

HMRC Chief Executive Lin Homer. Credit: PA

"It is an issue of judgment," she said. "I think your judgment belies common sense. We don't trust your judgment.

"I think your staff are being bamboozled."

Ms Homer, who was appearing after Mr Brittin, insisted that HMRC was better qualified than MPs to determine what taxes were due.

"That is a matter for the application of expert tax knowledge. I'm afraid that that is something I think we do rather better than a select committee," she said.

She added: "Unless and until you change the law, we cannot collect the tax people would like us to collect."

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