FOI: When Is It A Crime to Pay Tax?

by Chris Coverdale

Dear Collector of Taxes, HM Revenue and Customs,

In 2000 and 2001 Parliament enacted two new laws making it a criminal offence for a person to pay money to another if he or she suspects that the money may be used for the purposes of terrorism or war. The legislation defines terrorism as the use of firearms or explosives endangering life for a political or ideological cause. 

In 2013 the UK Supreme Court stated that the definition of terrorism in the Terrorism Act 2000 appears to extend to military and quasi-military activity approved by the UK Government . This implies that whenever taxpayers pay tax, including council tax and business rates, knowing that some of the money (7%) may be used to fund military and quasi-military activity that endangers life, we unwittingly commit a criminal offence. 

To ensure that local residents and taxpayers know the laws governing the payment of taxes, and do not unwittingly commit serious criminal offences , we need to know: 

1. Those occasions in law when the offences in sections 15 – 18 of the Terrorism Act 2000 do NOT apply to the actions of UK taxpayers and tax collectors; 
2. If references to ‘money’ in sections 15 – 18 of the Terrorism Act 2000 exclude money paid to Councils, to businesses collecting VAT, to banks loaning money to HMG or to HMR&C; 
3. Whether the phrase ‘conduct ancillary to’ in section 52 of the International Criminal Court Act 2001 excludes the provision of money, weapons or supplies; 
4. Whether the provision of money to local authorities, the payment of taxes to HMR&C or the provision of high-explosive weapons to Governments, knowing that they may be used to attack and harm men women and children, is an offence under Article 25.3(c) of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court; 
5. When and in what circumstances it is a criminal offence to pay tax in the UK.

Yours faithfully,

Chris Coverdale

Join our mailing list

To receive up to date news and to hear about events in your area please sign up to our mailing list with your email address and the first part of your UK Area Postcode. You can always email us too, at info@probityco.com


THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE IS LAW

Follow us on our social channels:


ProbityCo is fully compliant with GDPR requirements for protecting our customers' personal data The content appearing on this website is not intended as, and shall not be relied upon as, legal advice. It is general in nature and may not reflect all recent legal developments. ProbityCo is not a law firm and an attorney-client relationship is not formed through your use of this website.