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26 Oct 2011
AFTER A TUMULTUOUS couple of weeks for HMRC permanent secretary for tax Dave Hartnett, is now the right time for him to leave?
Take part in Accountancy Age's poll, asking whether the permanent secretary for tax should stand aside.
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Visitor comments Add your comment
Harnett to stay please
I'd like Hartnett to stay. We need tax people who understand tax, and are prepared to say unpopular things. The unpalatable alternative is more "Sir Humphreys"
Posted by: Nick Tiley, 26 Oct 2011 | 11:24
Group Financial Director
In the dim and distant past, erring generals fell on their sword.Apart from the £8m lenience to Goldman Sachs, and misleading the House, a significant number of expensive overses trips have been made which have not been justified.
My sword is being sharpened as I write!
Posted by: Nigel Collin , 26 Oct 2011 | 11:35
TIME TO GO, MR.HARTNETT
Dave Hartnett had a difficult hand to play at HMRC . However , he has led a concerted drive to make the operation of HMRC as ruthless and single minded as it has ever been .He has pushed for well-nigh dictatorial powers for HMRC.He has laid plans to use the SME sector as the scapegoat for the UK Tax "Gap". At the same time he is still letting" Big Fish" swim through the net !
Fresh approach required ! HMRC must collect the Public Revenue due , firmly but also FAIRLY!
Posted by: V.C.W.R.CLEMENT C.A., 26 Oct 2011 | 15:24
No Scapegoats thank you
My objection to Dave concerns his view of tax avoidance as sin. But he bucks the civil service trend in knowing a great deal, as opposed to the usual nothing, about the subject he administers. I thought his performance before the PAC was infinitely better than theirs. Like Davie Moyse he's doing his best.
Posted by: Jack Harper, 27 Oct 2011 | 10:19
Should be fired not 'step down'
He may be 'doing his best' but if he is then his best isn't good enough. I thought his recent performances giving evidence to parliamentary select committees were woeful, 'shifty' and self serving.
The amount of tax 'legitimately' avoided by multinational corporations and wealthy individuals is scandalous but when such corporations or individuals are found to have claimed to avoid tax illegitimately and they are STILL let off paying interest and/or penalties and sometimes not even required to pay the full amount of tax due on settlement it is disgraceful.
Mr Hartnett shouldn't step down, he should be fired. He has admitted 'making mistakes' and I'm sure there are more 'mistakes' made which he hasn't admitted. The loss of revenue to the exchequer (taxpayers) from even the admitted 'mistakes' both by him personally and also on his watch should be a sacking offence.
Posted by: Philip Winter, 28 Oct 2011 | 12:06
Harnett must go
HMRC are in chaos. Service is at an all time low and increased pressure on the tax payer through a fine based collection service has not been matched by an equal emphahsis on the tax office's own performance. Harnett is only one civil servant amongst many others that should be removed from office for lack of performance. The "saved" salary could be better used holding on to a few experienced staff to enable the smooth processing of our client's tax affairs.
Posted by: jon faux, 29 Oct 2011 | 11:49
He should go!
I once had occasion to write direct to Mr Hartnett with several detailed examples of HMRC incompetence. He had effectively invited such correspondence in claiming that accountants never came forward with the evidence to support their complaints. I did not receive a reply, whether from him or any HMRC officer on his behalf. This smacked of the arrogance of which he has been accused by others more recently.
Posted by: David Jeffreys, 01 Nov 2011 | 10:00