Escaping
#1
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 76
Escaping
If you haven't payed enough tax in the UK (and you don't have Google's lawyers), can you escape to Canada, or will they track you down?
Semi serious
Semi serious
#2
#3
Re: Escaping
I worked here with a bloke from Essex who'd fled the UK taxman. He'd also fled the South African tax man. Neither of them had found him and, when last seen, he was fleeing the Canadian taxman by taking a job in Australia. I suppose he'd be in Paraguay or Uruguay or Someguay by now.
#4
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 76
Re: Escaping
Good to know.
I'm facing a hefty late payment due to a crapy accountant, and wondering if it's worth paying if I'm leaving anyway.
I'm facing a hefty late payment due to a crapy accountant, and wondering if it's worth paying if I'm leaving anyway.
#5
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2008
Location: Toronto
Posts: 534
Re: Escaping
Realistically, it depends on how much money they think you owe them. If it's a lot, then they might put some effort into finding you and then enforcing any UK court judgement in Canada (that's possible and not that hard usually). Where the cut-off point is though, I don't know. I would guess the 5-10K GBP mark is probably where the cost of recovering the money from you starts to be worth the time to do it but they may well set it lower in order to set an example to others...
#6
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Joined: Dec 2008
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 1,497
Re: Escaping
They will catch up with you eventually.
I recieved a bill for £400 from them for money I owed for 1995 (unbeknownst to me) despite having moved 10 times in 10 years and spending 6 of those years in Australia before moving here.
I recieved a bill for £400 from them for money I owed for 1995 (unbeknownst to me) despite having moved 10 times in 10 years and spending 6 of those years in Australia before moving here.
#7
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 76
Re: Escaping
How on Earth did they find you through different countries?
I'm going to pay mine; it was just hateful rebelling against the late charges :/
I'm going to pay mine; it was just hateful rebelling against the late charges :/
#8
Re: Escaping
Worth remembering that the UK and Canada have bilateral tax agreements and I believe even a social security agreement so the fact that you are in Canada may at some point be fed back to HMRC from CRA.
I also think it is a legal requirement to inform HMRC when you are leaving the UK for tax purposes and if you don't they are likely to expect a tax return each year from you
I also think it is a legal requirement to inform HMRC when you are leaving the UK for tax purposes and if you don't they are likely to expect a tax return each year from you
#9
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Joined: Dec 2008
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 1,497
Re: Escaping
If they let the little amounts go then it's a slippery slope. People will hear about it and before you know it they are having to chase everyone for every penny.
Not worth the aggro - if you speak to them you can set up a payment plan.
If you are planning on staying here you do not want to have that kind of skeleton rattling around in your cupboard IMO.
#10
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 76
Re: Escaping
It's not that much; I can afford it
"If they let the little amounts go then it's a slippery slope"
I wish they applied the same rule with large amounts!
"If they let the little amounts go then it's a slippery slope"
I wish they applied the same rule with large amounts!
#11
Account Closed
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 0
Re: Escaping
CRA and the IRS certainly talk to one another, wouldnt be far fetched for Canada to be talking to other countries as well.
Worth remembering that the UK and Canada have bilateral tax agreements and I believe even a social security agreement so the fact that you are in Canada may at some point be fed back to HMRC from CRA.
I also think it is a legal requirement to inform HMRC when you are leaving the UK for tax purposes and if you don't they are likely to expect a tax return each year from you
I also think it is a legal requirement to inform HMRC when you are leaving the UK for tax purposes and if you don't they are likely to expect a tax return each year from you
#12
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Joined: Nov 2011
Location: Somewhere between Vancouver & St Johns
Posts: 19,840
Re: Escaping
So what is your plan of escape? Are you applying for PR status coming here working or just turning up and trying to live under the radar? Perhaps your escape might be blocked as soon as you arrive in Canada.
#13
limey party pooper
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 9,979
Re: Escaping
Anyway maybe the tax rebate you would be due on leaving the uk might be enough to cover it?
#14
Re: Escaping
Mind you, it might not be his.
#15
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Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 76
Re: Escaping
Failing that, I would catch a flight from Heathrow and use my Canadian passport to enter*
How could I be due any rebate on leaving?
*Sorry if that sounds flippant. I have every sympathy for those who have had to deal with the issues of visas/PR etc for themselves and family. I’ve been through it a few times and know how stressful it can be.