HMRC and Google (Settlement) Debate

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Department: HM Treasury

HMRC and Google (Settlement)

Sammy Wilson Excerpts
Monday 25th January 2016

(8 years, 3 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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David Gauke Portrait Mr Gauke
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Not as yet, but we wait to see future developments.

Sammy Wilson Portrait Sammy Wilson (East Antrim) (DUP)
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At a time when the Government expect small businesses to do tax returns four times a year, does the Minister not understand that many of those small businesses will be outraged that a firm such as Google can get off with paying no tax for 10 years and then finish up with a paltry bill that includes fines and interest? At the same time, we have a refusal by the Government to show how that sum was raised. Surely, to avoid the feeling of cynicism among many taxpayers, we should at least have some transparency about how the figure was reached.

David Gauke Portrait Mr Gauke
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We are determined to ensure that all businesses pay the tax that is due. May I specifically address the hon. Gentleman’s point about quarterly returns? There will be a Westminster Hall debate on that matter in 25 minutes, and the point that I shall make is that there is no requirement for quarterly returns. Businesses should keep their information digitally and send summaries of that information on a quarterly basis. That is very, very different from quarterly returns.