Should Tax Defaulters be Jailed?

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csirl

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The latest Revenue list of tax defaulters is in most of today's papers. Some of these people owed a lot of money. We often hear calls for a crackdown on white collar crime - that people should be jailed for it. Isnt tax fraud just another form of white collar crime? Shouldnt there be mandatory jail sentences for those who defrauded Revenue of significant sums?

I'd like to suggest that each defaulter receive 1 week in jail for every €1,000 they defrauded. Any views?
 
well are you saying they shouldnt have to pay it back but go to jail instead? Do they not have to pay interest/fines etc? It costs money to put people in jail
 
Given the current economic climate, it would make more sense for them to be fined - but heavily.

Use the CAB to treat them like common criminals - if they can't pay the fines confiscate any other assets and sell them off.
 
sandrat said:
well are you saying they shouldnt have to pay it back but go to jail instead? Do they not have to pay interest/fines etc? It costs money to put people in jail
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No, they should be jailed in addition to paying the interest/fines etc.
 
Ruam said:
For what crimes would you send people to jail? Any crime that is not white collar?

Ruam
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there are 600 odd people on the list out today and some of them got prison sentences some of them got fines of 13cent or 5 euro if the spreadsheet is to be believed. Repeated offenders should be sent to jail maybe but not someone who got done once for a miscalculation
 
I guess it is up to the judge if it goes to court but I don't like the idea of generalised sentencing
 
A point to remember but some of these people have made genuine mistakes for whatever reason e.g. interpretation of tax law. Do these people deserve to go to jail as well.

A friend of mine who worked as an Inspector of Taxes told me that there are a lot of genuine cases who make common errors depending on the class of industry that they work in.
 
boris said:
A point to remember but some of these people have made genuine mistakes for whatever reason e.g. interpretation of tax law. Do these people deserve to go to jail as well.

A friend of mine who worked as an Inspector of Taxes told me that there are a lot of genuine cases who make common errors depending on the class of industry that they work in.
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Revenue dont put people who made genuine mistakes on the defaulters list - this list is people who deliberately defaulted. My sources in Revenue tell me that when in doubt, you get left of the list i.e you are only included on it if they are absolutely sure you defaulted purposely - this is because they are worried about being subject of a defamation claim from someone who made an honest mistake.
 
I think they need to be fined heavily, however if they put these people in jail, it will cost more money. Heavily fined and named and shamed is the way to go, for the people who deliberately defaulted.
 
csirl said:
Revenue dont put people who made genuine mistakes on the defaulters list - this list is people who deliberately defaulted. My sources in Revenue tell me that when in doubt, you get left of the list i.e you are only included on it if they are absolutely sure you defaulted purposely - this is because they are worried about being subject of a defamation claim from someone who made an honest mistake.
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This is not true.

Revenue issue audit letter. Client thinks all is well so don't make a voluntary disclosure (put hands up and admit mistake/wrongdoing). Revenue comes out and says that something is wrong and an underdeclaration of tax has been made - often RCT issue in construction companies. Because no VD was made client can end up on list. I've seen it happen many times.
 
Define a tax dodger? how many people reading this when given a quote from a builder/plumber/electrician have asked what the price will be if they do it for cash?

each case should be judged on it's merits, certainly where large scale deliberate fraud has occurred, then jail could be merited. However it would be harsh to jail someone for hiring an incompetent accountant
 
Ham Slicer said:
This is not true.

Revenue issue audit letter. Client thinks all is well so don't make a voluntary disclosure (put hands up and admit mistake/wrongdoing). Revenue comes out and says that something is wrong and an underdeclaration of tax has been made - often RCT issue in construction companies. Because no VD was made client can end up on list. I've seen it happen many times.
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I agree with Ham Slicer. Having worked in a Tax Practice, I have seen many people who have made genuine mistakes be threatened with publication. A lot depends on the Revenue Official looking after your case. As with anywhere else, some are reasonable to deal with others are not.
 
In my opinion, those that partake in legalised theft should be jailed. I am referring to those who are:

- on bloated €100k pensions taken before they actually retire, even though they are already ridiculously overpaid.
- who take holidays when they are most needed to make decisions.
- who waste our money on jets, mercs and junkets.
- who arbitrarily help themselves to our money http://www.independent.ie/national-news/83643000-hike-for-tds-as--workers-pay-is-cut-1669838.html

These people are the real scourge of society.
 
A week for every thousand? So if someone defrauded 3,000,000 that would be 57 years in jail. Hardly makes sense.
 
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