Tax avoidance: simplification not vilification
23 July 2012
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Mark Littlewood comments on government plans to reduce tax avoidance
Commenting on announced government plans to reduce tax avoidance, Mark Littlewood, Director General at the Institute of Economic Affairs, said:
“The government needs to look at the roots of tax avoidance rather than focusing on the morality of the issue. Naming and shaming will have little tangible effect and is grossly unfair, given this activity is legal. Taxpayers are entitled to knowingly prevent the depletion of their income in such a manner.
“Tax avoidance occurs because our system is overly complex and because rates are far too high. If the government wants to reduce tax avoidance it should reduce and simplify taxes.”
Notes to editors:
To arrange an interview with an IEA spokesperson, please contact Stephanie Lis, Director of Communications: 020 7799 8909, slis@iea.org.uk
The mission of the Institute of Economic Affairs is to improve understanding of the fundamental institutions of a free society by analysing and expounding the role of markets in solving economic and social problems. The IEA is a registered educational charity and independent of all political parties.
“The government needs to look at the roots of tax avoidance rather than focusing on the morality of the issue. Naming and shaming will have little tangible effect and is grossly unfair, given this activity is legal. Taxpayers are entitled to knowingly prevent the depletion of their income in such a manner.
“Tax avoidance occurs because our system is overly complex and because rates are far too high. If the government wants to reduce tax avoidance it should reduce and simplify taxes.”
Notes to editors:
To arrange an interview with an IEA spokesperson, please contact Stephanie Lis, Director of Communications: 020 7799 8909, slis@iea.org.uk
The mission of the Institute of Economic Affairs is to improve understanding of the fundamental institutions of a free society by analysing and expounding the role of markets in solving economic and social problems. The IEA is a registered educational charity and independent of all political parties.
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