LONG ARM OF TAX COLLECTOR

Greymouth Evening Star, 10 December 1937, Page 10

LONG ARM OF TAX COLLECTOR

ANGLO-US. EXCHANGE.

LONDON, October 25.

Mr. J. M. Rubens, of. Rubens, Pole and. Co., accountants, of Bishopgate, E.C., has been explaining to Hollywood taxpayers what they may expect when they come to England.

One interviewer quotes him as saying that the British and United States revenue officials have come to an agreement to “dig out hidden wealth in the two countries and exchange all infor'mation bearing on income-tax and surtax affecting the nationals of the two countries.”

Mr. Pole, his partner, said yesterday that he thought Mr. Rubens must have been misquoted.

“There is no doubt,” he said, “that in certain cases information is exchanged. If an American film star or director worked in this country and ’tried to dodge payment of taxation at home, I do not doubt that Washington would be supplied with the necessary information. Our officials, of course, take similar measures. Defaulters cannot obtain another permit to work until they have settled with 'the Inland Revenue. We usually avoid trouble by paying visitors’ taxes in advance. I would not, however, go soj far as to say that all information is pooled by the English and American authorities. I imagine that each case is deal with on its merits.”

One.of the many Englishmen at loggerheads with the United States revenue authorities at the moment is Mr Rafael Sabatini, the author. He is appealing against Washington’s assessment on his American earnings as a non-resident alien.