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I work in a fairly senior role, and manage a finance department. It’s a medium sized company
My immediate boss, the Finance director has asked me to ‘fiddle’ our tax return to pay less tax, something I am not at all comfortable with, mainly to save face as he didn’t understand benefit in kind rules, and hence has not been paying tax correctly for a while
If this were you, would you leave the job? Or just suck it up as it being part of the role? There are sometimes other things I have to manipulate, although they are not as bad, mainly from an internal reporting perspective, nothing external
Try to explain why it’s important that he pays the correct amount of tax and that you are not prepared to risk your own qualification by manipulating the figures. Remember, this is years of your life that you are being asked to risk – years of studying, years of effort, your reputation, your future employment prospects, your own self-esteem.
Politely and gently tell him that it’s not possible. Explain that he WILL be found out – maybe not for many years, but he WILL be found out and when that happens there will be unbelievable amounts of s–t that he will find thrown at him ….. and it will be immensely expensive. It could ruin his own life as well as his own reputation.
And he’s asking you to help him commit a crime? And you’re even thinking about it?!!!!!!
I think I’ve made my point!
Thanks for the reply Mike, its good seeing it spelled out in black and white like that, really hits home the severity of the situation
I will consider the above approach, but i know it wont go down well and I will be made out to blowing things out of proportion, it will also make for a very uncomfortable work life
But like you say, this is a question of a criminal act, so there is nothing to consider really
Carl
I’m presuming you are in the UK.
I recently had a tax inspection from HMRC and the first thing they looked at was benefits in kind in particular Christmas party and other stuff to check if it should go on P11D.
We do pay all our tax and had no problems but the lady who did the inspection said they have been told to look particularly at this kind of stuff. Remind him if you are caught you will get a fine as well.
Thanks amcterna, im glad to see the inspections take place
I imagine this is a key area for HMRC, as there is a distinct lack of understanding in business about BIK, especially smaller ones
I had a meeting with the CEO today, I was briefing him on the BIK situation for the company anyway, but I made a point of the severity of the situation, and that we cannot falsify records. He was fully in agreement, so I am happy that even if my boss isnt, at least I have his backing
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I would contact your professional body and explain the circumstances to them – they may be able to provide guidance.
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