As a whole I think that we’re far too lenient as a country. If you don’t file and pay your taxes in the US you get sent to prison!Unfortunately, and like every other civil service department, HMRC staff numbers have been dramatically reduced over the last decade. The UK tax system is entirely predicated on “process now / check later” and it is VERY difficult to track people who don’t engage.
There has been a lot of talk over the last few years about lazy civil servants who should get a real job, but we wouldn’t need so many if people took responsibility for certain aspects of their life!
Anyway I think that the accountant will be steeling himself for a trying day with Jack and her lever arch files!