Britons should pay as little tax as legally possible, Richard Tice says
Richard Tice has criticized the idea that people should “pay the maximum tax” they “can possibly pay” after dismissing reports of his own tax arrangements.
Speaking at a press conference in central London on Monday, Mr Tice responded to Labor calls for HMRC to investigate tax affairs following the tax incidents. Sunday Times He reported that he had “avoided around £600,000 in corporation tax” through his property company.
Asked whether tax work was “morally superior” he said: “The point is, there is no obligation. How many of your friends would voluntarily choose to pay more taxes than they are legally obligated to do?”
“The idea that we should pay the maximum tax we are morally capable of paying, therein lies the path to destroying the UK economy.”
Asked if he would encourage others to pay as little tax as possible, he said: “Yes, within the legal limits. That’s what you should do.”
“Do not morally or voluntarily give more taxes to incompetent, wasteful, far-left, socialist governments when they will spend in your name.”
The Boston and Skegness MP said his firm, Quidnet Reit Ltd, was “a UK company paying UK tax in accordance with UK law” and instead accused Labor of failing to pay tax on the income of his property company.
He said: “How much corporation tax do we think Labor Party Properties Limited has paid over 25 years? Any guesses? Zero. A big, fat zero.”
“Because property costs and management expenses coincidentally — I’m sure it’s just a coincidence — equaled or exceeded rental income.”
It is understood that Labor Party Properties Ltd’s accounts have been independently verified by auditors.
Responding to Mr Tice’s press conference, Labor leader Anna Turley MP said: “Richard Tice is playing the public for fools. He needs to admit to the British people why he went to such lengths to avoid paying £600,000 in tax.”
“Tice claimed special status for his company for two years and 11 months to avoid having to pay corporation tax. “The idea that this is the same as having an ISA or contributing to retirement is frankly ridiculous and Tice knows it.
“The reform seems to be on the side of the working class, but Tice knows that the extremes he is doing to pay less taxes are not normal at all.
“While Tice is making a fuss and making excuses about his own tax affairs, his party is busy raising council tax and cutting services despite promising to reduce council tax and waste. They can’t be trusted and they are not on your side.”
