Tax avoidance: simplification not vilification

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: