When tax advice strays from planning to avoidance and evasion (1)

First of two articles

clock • 6 min read

With the tax affairs of so many VIPs once more in the headlines, Andrew Reid and James Hall consider what claims can be brought against the original advisers and what might be done to avoid that happening

Over the last couple of years barely a week seems to have passed without another high-profile exposé that has seen countless footballers and TV personalities named as participators/victims of what were often promised to be ‘guaranteed to work' or even ‘government-backed' tax mitigation schemes. Here we will consider whether, and when, taxpayers involved in such schemes might be able to bring a claim against their original advisers, what the key issues are in such claims, and what current advisers should aim to do to avoid such liability. When tax advice strays from planning to avoidan...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Tax planning

To share or not to share? Matrimonial and non-matrimonial asset sharing on divorce

To share or not to share? Matrimonial and non-matrimonial asset sharing on divorce

'The division of assets on divorce can be incredibly contentious'

Amy Walpole and Sophie Key
clock 18 July 2025 • 4 min read
Keir Starmer's refusal to rule out wealth tax labelled 'telling'

Keir Starmer's refusal to rule out wealth tax labelled 'telling'

Continued speculation around how the Labour govt might raise revenue

Isabel Baxter
clock 11 July 2025 • 2 min read
Business owners' estates: When cash can be a problem

Business owners' estates: When cash can be a problem

A complex, often overlooked threat

Andrew Aldridge
clock 11 July 2025 • 4 min read