Taking Stock: When tax is stranger than fiction
Sometimes you just can't make it up, TS finds
TS ISN’T AWARE of any times that ancient war dances have had any kind of impact on tax policy, or indeed anyone’s tax bills.
But, nonetheless, PR man Richard Hillgrove attempted just that when he, accompanied by his two children, performed the Moari Haka at Glastonbury Tor in retaliation for a tax evasion conviction he claims is a “stitch up”.
TS, it must be said, is baffled as to how the mighty Kiwi war dance is likely to affect the taxman.
Indeed, HMRC would not be drawn when we suggested a nominated champion perform a Morris dance in response, in what would have surely been the most bizarre dance-off of all time.
Although not Kiwi by birth or passport, Hillgrove said he is 1/16th Maori and 1/16th Danish – a “fierce combination”, he said and one that qualifies him to do the Haka at one of the UK’s most ancient sites of worship.
Hillgrove was last month found guilty of failing to pay £93,000 in VAT and NICs over a 12-month period. He is still awaiting sentence, but plans to appeal his conviction.