The Gray Monk

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December 18, 2004

Santa in trouble with Customs and Excise

In a further complication to the ongoing Santa saga, the Department of Customs and Excise is examining evidence that Santa has been failing to pay import duties on goods imported into the UK and failing to pay VAT on goods manufactured and obtained in the UK for distribution. The Customs and Excise officers are currently preparing a submission for evasion of duty and VAT to bring before the High Court as soon as possible.

It is alleged that Santa has been, for some hundred and fifty to two hundred years at least, been smuggling in goods for which duty should have been payable. In the last thirty-five years almost all the goods Santa has delivered should have had VAT paid on them, even if obtained in the UK. Since Santa has failed to file any Importer Documentation and has filed no VAT returns since the inception of VAT (Sources at the Customs and Excise Section report that he has no VAT Registration or Exemption), he is now potentially liable for the immediate payment of several billion pounds of VAT and other Customs Duties. A demand for payment has been prepared and sent and no reply has been forthcoming. The Department is therefore briefing barristers to take the matter to the High Court.

If found guilty, Santa could be liable for the immediate payment of all outstanding tax and duty and could be imprisoned for a maximum of 25 years.

Posted by The Gray Monk at December 18, 2004 10:13 AM

Comments

Posted by: skipjack at December 18, 2004 09:18 PM