Few absolutes in our tax system

In a recent blog I mentioned that all too often accountants cannot give definitive answers to certain questions eg: exactly what can be claimed as a deduction for use of home as office.

This often comes as a surprise to clients especially as most clients don't want advice that is hedged around with ifs and buts and maybes.

Sadly though there are dozens of examples across the tax system whereby there are no absolute hard and fast rules that accountants can rely on. In some cases HMRC have explained how they intend to apply the rules in a way that most accountants do not accept is justified by the tax laws. In other cases the laws are capable of more than one legitimate interpretation. As a result accountants are often forced to make a choice. To be honest (and explain that there are no hard and fast rules) or to attempt to give definitive advice.

I will comment further along these lines in my next blog.