Indeed.HMRC and IRS are no joke.
This is unbelievable and dystopian looking.Indeed.
Just happened to read a thing or two about HMRC, which made me re-evaluate the perceived risk of using nominee services, and here it goes:
What triggers over % of tax investigations in UK?
’Connect’ is a social network analysis software data mining computer system developed by HMRC that cross-references tax records with other databases.
It is a data matching and risking tool that allows HMRC to cross match one billion HMRC and third-party data items. Hence named ‘Connect’!
Connect identifies “hidden” relationships between people, organisations and data that could not previously be identified.
It was developed by BAE systems for applied intelligence for £45 million in 2009, but in total costs around £100m.
Connect has recovered more than £3bn in taxes since its launch. It uses predictive analytics and has dynamic benchmarking.
It is an extremely powerful software that has triggered more than % of tax investigations.
Connect is run by a team of HMRC specialists in the risk and intelligence service (RIS). About 3,000 staff across HMRC uses Connect.
HMRC states it is using the software to direct resources more effectively, increasing efficiency by improving case selection quality and strike rate for tax investigations.
There are more than 30 different databases available in Connect for analysis although HMRC does not disclose all its sources of information.
From September 2016, Connect has interfaced with financial information from British Overseas Territories known as tax havens.
From 2017 Connect has interfaced with around sixty other OECD countries. Resulting in larger number of HMRC nudge campaigns.
The databases include the following:-
Adverts on the internet e.g. Rightmove and Zoopla.
Tax returns (including VAT, PAYE, income tax and corporation tax returns).
Bank accounts and pensions.
Credit reference agencies.
Credit and debit card accounts.
Online payment providers such as PayPal.
Foreign tax jurisdictions.
Government agencies such as Companies House, the Land Registry and the Border Agency.
Online social networking.
Property websites such as Zoopla and Rightmove.
eBay, Amazon and other internet marketplaces.
Google Street View.
Council tax records.
Gas Safe Register.
DVLA records.
DWP records.
Electoral roll.
Insurance companies.
Charities Commission.
Flight sales and passenger information.
HMRC is looking to the future and exploring the use of new technology such as artificial intelligence (AI) , which will allow Connect to be used to make some of the more sophisticated decisions currently made by HMRC staff.
Lol, true. In reality, they are giving guns to a bunch of kids straight out of high school from what it seems. As if a tax bill is a reason to shoot someone.I imagine... the US IRS is the worst... likely to get shot also...
I wouldn't be suprised if most governments have some sort of similar software.’Connect’ is a social network analysis software data mining computer system developed by HMRC that cross-references tax records with other databases.
From personal experience, Swedish tax authoroties are suprisingly effective and precise. Try to save 1 cent and they'll drive you crazy with questions. I don't think I have experienced anything similar to that yet.The ones generally viewed as most effective as the usual suspects: Nordic countries (all of them), US, UK, Germany, Australia, Canada, and to an extent also Japan.
Then we have the mad ones: Spain, France, Italy, China, India, and probably UAE will be in this group by the looks of it. These are highly unpredictable tax authorities that miss a lot of stuff. But when they catch someone, they don't let go until there's no life left. Tax vampires, as opposed to tax police.
Yeah, Sweden, I mean they take most of your money, but my experience with them is that they are surprisingly competent and helpful. You can call them up, no waiting time, and get to talk to someone who really knows his/her stuff. And if you ask something complicated that they don't know straight away, they will figure it out/escalate and get back to you.From personal experience, Swedish tax authoroties are suprisingly effective and precise. Try to save 1 cent and they'll drive you crazy with questions. I don't think I have experienced anything similar to that yet.
From my personal experience reading court opinions and court transcripts, instead of books of fiction, over decades has brought me to the painful realization that ALL systems of government are this way! No exceptions!The court has unreasonable powers and discretion to determine what is "fair" and it becomes even more vague than the tax office. The ATO looks reasonable by comparison. There's some shocking court judgements out there and many lives ruined anecdotally you'll hear about from this. The issue is that the laws are not set in stone and leave it to the personal discretion of persons who may or may not have bias.
Deleting your social media account where you post pictures of you and your life should be the tax advice most people here follow, whatever the jurisdiction they live in.Indeed.
Just happened to read a thing or two about HMRC, which made me re-evaluate the perceived risk of using nominee services, and here it goes:
What triggers over % of tax investigations in UK?
’Connect’ is a social network analysis software data mining computer system developed by HMRC that cross-references tax records with other databases.
It is a data matching and risking tool that allows HMRC to cross match one billion HMRC and third-party data items. Hence named ‘Connect’!
Connect identifies “hidden” relationships between people, organisations and data that could not previously be identified.
It was developed by BAE systems for applied intelligence for £45 million in 2009, but in total costs around £100m.
Connect has recovered more than £3bn in taxes since its launch. It uses predictive analytics and has dynamic benchmarking.
It is an extremely powerful software that has triggered more than % of tax investigations.
Connect is run by a team of HMRC specialists in the risk and intelligence service (RIS). About 3,000 staff across HMRC uses Connect.
HMRC states it is using the software to direct resources more effectively, increasing efficiency by improving case selection quality and strike rate for tax investigations.
There are more than 30 different databases available in Connect for analysis although HMRC does not disclose all its sources of information.
From September 2016, Connect has interfaced with financial information from British Overseas Territories known as tax havens.
From 2017 Connect has interfaced with around sixty other OECD countries. Resulting in larger number of HMRC nudge campaigns.
The databases include the following:-
Adverts on the internet e.g. Rightmove and Zoopla.
Tax returns (including VAT, PAYE, income tax and corporation tax returns).
Bank accounts and pensions.
Credit reference agencies.
Credit and debit card accounts.
Online payment providers such as PayPal.
Foreign tax jurisdictions.
Government agencies such as Companies House, the Land Registry and the Border Agency.
Online social networking.
Property websites such as Zoopla and Rightmove.
eBay, Amazon and other internet marketplaces.
Google Street View.
Council tax records.
Gas Safe Register.
DVLA records.
DWP records.
Electoral roll.
Insurance companies.
Charities Commission.
Flight sales and passenger information.
HMRC is looking to the future and exploring the use of new technology such as artificial intelligence (AI) , which will allow Connect to be used to make some of the more sophisticated decisions currently made by HMRC staff.
#This #FACT #Bingo!Deleting your social media account where you post pictures of you and your life should be the tax advice most people here follow, whatever the jurisdiction they live in.
And about the US IRS, guess many of us here have decided to deal with them voluntarily by having a US LLC as a "non-resident alien". Doesn't seem so bad when one isnt living in the US, and isnt a US citizen, and doesnt pay tax to the US. Wonder how often the IRS audits LLCs owned by non resident aliens.
For a non resident alien there is less to worry about in my opinion if you have 0 connection to the US besides for the LLC.Aside from from making sure that forms 5472 + 1120 are filed correctly (and fining you $25k if they aren't)...
What else could the IRS claim to a "non resident alien"? Provided that this NRA uses the LLC for a legit business that is not effectively connected to the US (e.g. consulting to US clients), and doesn't live in the US, or spends much time there?
I honestly cannot think of anything, but who knows.
That’s tinfoil hat territory.For a non resident alien there is less to worry about in my opinion if you have 0 connection to the US besides for the LLC.
But, I would add that if you ever publicly get in trouble(in the news etc...) don't be suprised if they will use the LLC to make the effective connection to the US, so that they can get a piece of the prosecution.
It's funny how HMRC sees their mission of tax parasitizing with advanced technology, as high added value to society.This is unbelievable and dystopian looking.
They want to tax the s**t out of you until you die and AI will be the one that will find you.
https://www.rd.com/list/conspiracy-theories-that-turned-out-to-be-true/That’s tinfoil hat territory.