HOW MUCH TO PAY?

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 12869, 23 May 1936, Page 12

HOW MUCH TO PAY?

PUZZLES TN INCOME TAX

■'One of the most valuable servicy- s of the chartered accountant is s help in matters of income tax." remarked the president of the Bradford Chamber of Commerce at- a meeting of the Bradford Society of Chartered Accountants. “Tn that regard there is no doubt he puts many a business man.' on a sound footing—and there is equally no doubt that many a business man needs it.” flame comment on that matter was made hv Mr R. X. Carter, vice-presi-dent of the English Institute of Chartered Accountants. “T feel.” he said. “T cannot pass the suggestion made by Professor. .Tones, of Leeds Unirers,'hr—namely that accountants should not use their skill to defeat the In-* land Rorenue authorities on technical grounds. The subject h:is various aspects, but each of these aspects leads me to the same view. Assume it to be morally wrong—though, as a matter of fact, the judges have said iff is not—for anyone to take advantage of loopholes in the Acts; then if wo discountenance it the evil mav be so small that it is not worth a special provision in the Finance Act to deal with it and tho unscrupulous ‘gob

nAvav with if. If, however, avc as a. profession support it. then it becomes an important, matter and. if unfairness exists, it is dealt Avith by legislation. Again, if a client reads of in in tho Daily Hooter, ho calls on his accountant and asks if the accountant! knoAvs liis business, and if so, why has ho not named it to him. leaving hint tj decide for himself whether he will incur the obloquy—if any—which such action may be suggested ta carry with it. If he hears from a friend that tho friend’s accountant has told him of it, his inquiry is whether his own accountant, is as interested in him as his friend’s accountant is in tho friend! But finally, speaking of it. on tho lottos t level, wo have our living to make, A and must we neglect these opportune w itics of making friends of our clients ? Must not counsel, asked to defend j* prisoner, give his client every possible chance of escape from the clutches of the luav? Can he possibly say to himself, ‘Yes, I see a technical point; which would secure acquittal but tha man seems to have done the deed and should suffer the penalty therefor’? L do not deal with the suggestion o? not disclosing doubtful items iu rendering accounts. There cannot ho two opinions as to the impropriety of such a course.”