However, in an unusual intervention, HMRC told The Daily Telegraph on Tuesday night that MPs were not exempt from tax laws and that tax must be paid on some expenses.
In a statement it said: “It’s a general principle of tax law that accountancy fees incurred in connection with the completion of a personal tax return are not deductible.
“This is because the costs of complying with the law are not an allowable expense against tax. This rule applies across the board.”
It also emerged that MPs had already been given specific guidance by HMRC prohibiting such tax- free claims, which accountants say constitute a “benefit in kind” and should be taxed.
Issued in 2005, the guidance states that “accountancy fees incurred in the
preparation of the self assessment tax return or related expense claims” are
“not allowed” as tax expenses.
That is forty ministers who will need to pay tax back in public. Make sure that is at a penal interest rate with additional penalties. And then sack these serial tax evaders.