What do you have in common with the greatest genius of the 20th Century?

When it came to the theory of relativity Albert Einstein knew his onions but what he knew about the complexities of income tax wasn’t worth a carrot.

Many of you will be able to identify with the self confessed income tax duffer who said, “The hardest thing to understand in the world is the income tax”.

Does Albert have a point?

Yes, a great many more of us need to know our way around the basic taxation rules than need to apply the formula E=MC2 on a fairly regular basis.

I joined HMRC (Inland Revenue as it was then) in 1974 and by 2009 had acquired much of the knowledge that Albert found so bewildering.

I have seen the results of a lack of understanding across many situations.

Sadly there are those who perceive lack of contact from HMRC as a very good thing and base this perception on the false premise that no news is good news and that everything must or is likely to be fine.

For some this blissful state of ignorance has been encouraged by well publicised press reports of HMRC oversights that have led to thousands upon thousands of taxpayers being approached and asked to repay considerable sums underpaid over the years. If the boot was on the other foot and the media reported that refunds were being made to the Great British taxpaying public, then HMRC would not be able to move for eager enquiries.

“Knowledge is power”

It was another very clever bloke who first made this observation (Francis Bacon) and the sentiment holds true when it comes to taxes and how they work. The UK tax legislation is amongst the largest and most complex code in the world. So, the questions that arise are, how do I tap into that knowledge – and do I really need to?

Well you could do what I did and join HMRC for a life of servitude dominated by legislation and process OR you can seek advice from someone who has been there and done that. I would not look to homemade remedies to address a toothache for example – despite my absolute dread of dentists, so why would you pay any heed to the bloke in the pub who is all-seeing and all-knowing on every subject under the sun!

It is a fact that there are people who get behind with their taxation affairs or who make bad business decisions (for whatever reason). The need for professional assistance best suited to individual needs applies equally as well to people who think that they are totally compliant as it does to those who at least suspect that their actions are either passively or deliberately contributing to the dubious reduction of the amount of tax they pay.

Anyone with issues involving HMRC would normally look for guidance. If this just happened to be you, you would look to professionals with experience in dealing with HMRC. You might think that it would be a good idea to look for representation from advisors that might possibly include amongst their number someone with a taxes background – In fact someone like me!!