UK tax authorities confirm 27 MPs under investigation
The UK tax authorities have today confirmed that 27 members of Parliament are currently under investigation regarding their expenses. Not only are MPs under pressure from an internal parliamentary investigation into expenses, but the tax authorities are also investigating whether any tax laws have been broken by the 27 MPs in question.
In a rather interesting development, the tax authorities have confirmed that only expenses which were "wholly, necessarily and exclusively" linked to their Parliamentary duties should fall under the expenses label. When you consider that some MPs have allegedly claimed for their moats to be clean, swimming pools to be installed and other "excessive" expenses, surely we can expect a number of MPs to be asked to clarify their actions.
Those who are found to have broken tax laws will be expected to reimburse the tax authorities with up to 40% of the value of the service or products involved. For many MPs who have claimed tens of thousands of pounds over the last few years, this ongoing tax investigation could have serious and damaging consequences. However, nobody has yet to confirm whether the so-called art of "flipping", which saw many MPs change the denomination of their main residence, in order to benefit from the expenses system, will be investigated further.
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