UK tax laws are too complex, say experts

LEGAL and tax experts from Guernsey and the UK are united in criticism over what they perceive as the UK's overly-complex tax laws.

Panellists at the Mourant Ozannes International Trusts and Private Client Forum also agreed that current interpretation of the UK laws, which is being blurred by the morality debate over tax, helped only to create uncertainty.

'What has morality got to do with the collection of tax?' said Carey Olsen partner Russell Clark, pictured.

'Ever since Robin Hood, the collection of tax has been an adversarial act – it always has been and always will be. Now the perception is everything you do should be taxed unless the taxman is gracious enough to let you keep some of your own money.

'Morality and tax have nothing to do with each other. Morality is right in setting laws, not in enforcement.'