Government response

HMRC responds to BBC Panorama tax allegations

HM Revenue and Customs has issued a statement in response to this evening's Panorama broadcast

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has issued an official response to this evening’s upcoming BBC Panorama broadcast.

An HMRC spokesperson said:

We do not discuss the confidential tax affairs of identifiable individuals or businesses.

The settlement of all disputes is governed by HMRC’s published litigation and settlement strategy, which ensures that we only settle for the tax that is owed and which would otherwise be achieved through litigation.

The way in which HMRC settles and assures tax disputes has been completely overhauled in recent years, making the process more transparent. The effectiveness and propriety of such settlements is overseen by a Tax Assurance Commissioner, who publishes an annual report covering all large settlement cases.

Published 28 April 2014