Is this fraud?

[anonymous-user]

BarryTone said:

In the 10 years since I've been with the OH I've rarely seen them offer their daughter a hand and this was quite nice for the wife, rather than relying on me to plug the gap

Isn't that what marriage is supposed to be, sharing life and responsibilities?
Plugging the gap sounds like you resent your wife having access to the family money

[Eric Mc]

Why can't the father just pay the bill personally - if he is so keen to help.

It sounds like he is an extremely selfish individual in that he is only willing to help if there is some advantage he can gain.

[mackay45]

OP this message may reach you too late but they are more than likely on their way to you as we speak, I'd say you have less than 30 mins so I'd grab your 'go bag' and make a break for it now before it's too late!

[TheRainMaker]

If it goes through his company, he could still take the money out as part of his salary or a dividend payment, ask him if you’re that worried

Take it as the gift it is, there will be no come back on you or the garage in anyway.

[Eric Mc]

If he processes the transaction so that he can (incorrectly) offset the cost as a business expense and reclaim the Input VAT, then his business is trying to obtain an advantage - which would be both a tax and VAT fraud.

[Marcellus]

OP if you're not comfortable with you FIL offer then tell him so nicely and explain your reasons why.... from what you've said you have a job where you have to be 100% squeaky clean in all financial matters and if you weren't and it came to light sometime in the future it could be game over for your career!

I think if I were in the same situation as your FIL and my SIL said similar to me I'd not take offence and accept his declining my offer... I might still pick up the tab anyway but not directly through the company!

[Europa1]

Eric Mc said:

If he processes the transaction so that he can (incorrectly) offset the cost as a business expense and reclaim the Input VAT, then his business is trying to obtain an advantage - which would be both a tax and VAT fraud.

To which OP's wife would be a party.

[RTB]

Does you mother in law know that your father in law is paying other people's garage bills? I admit that the most obvious reason is limiting how much it costs him by offsetting a bit of tax.

The other reason could be that having a big bill suddenly appear on a domestic bank/credit card statement could complicate things at home. By putting it through the business account he avoids any aggro from his Mrs.

Either way, unless you know for sure that his motives are fraudulent I wouldn't assume anything.

[Simpo Two]

dogz said:

Probably on champagne parties and having moats cleaned

I was thinking more of foreign aid, bennyfits for the feckless and civil service pension funds.

Eric Mc said:

It sounds like he is an extremely selfish individual in that he is only willing to help if there is some advantage he can gain.

It sounds like he's willing to help and get a discount too; he wins, family wins.

[Eric Mc]

Simpo Two said:

It sounds like he's willing to help and get a discount too; he wins, family wins.

To the extent that he is willing to commit tax fraud.

Burglars win, right up to the moment they get caught.

[Simpo Two]

Eric Mc said:

To the extent that he is willing to commit tax fraud.

Burglars win, right up to the moment they get caught.

Indeed, but once everybody is in prison the tax take will be £0.

[Eric Mc]

Simpo Two said:

Eric Mc said:

To the extent that he is willing to commit tax fraud.

Burglars win, right up to the moment they get caught.

Indeed, but once everybody is in prison the tax take will be £0.

Everyone except me.

[Simpo Two]

Eric Mc said:

Everyone except me.

Well you're an accountant

[227bhp]

Simpo Two said:

Eric Mc said:

Everyone except me.

Well you're an accountant

He talks like a wker, hopefully he'll get his licence taken from him for 5yrs when he does 2mph over the speed limit, because that's all this equates to.

[227bhp]

BarryTone said:

Maybe you hadn't heard but his country isn't exactly awash with public money.

If everyone takes the view that it's just a little bit here and there then it all adds up to a place that's worse for us all. It's called civic responsibility.

Yes and look what they do with it, i'm hardly feeling the benefit.

[Kewy]

227bhp said:

Simpo Two said:

Eric Mc said:

Everyone except me.

Well you're an accountant

He talks like a wker, hopefully he'll get his licence taken from him for 5yrs when he does 2mph over the speed limit, because that's all this equates to.

If he's an accountant, isn't his job to find and abuse the loopholes in tax law?

[oop north]

Eric Mc said:

If he processes the transaction so that he can (incorrectly) offset the cost as a business expense and reclaim the Input VAT, then his business is trying to obtain an advantage - which would be both a tax and VAT fraud.

Isn’t the phrase money laundering?

[limpsfield]

oop north said:

Isn’t the phrase money laundering?

no

[JulianPH]

Well, this has descended rapidly.

Eric has given the answer. Now (as the the messenger) he gets shot down.

TBH, the OP is making something out of nothing. The Father in Law has offered to pay and is wanting to put it through his business - rightly or wrongly (from a taxation perspective).

The OP (and his wife) have nothing to worry about and are making a mountain out of a molehill.

This is an incredible thread. Yes, the FIL should not be looking to offset this as a business expense.

OP - Ask your FIL to make a net contribution towards it if he wants to assist.

Alternatively you and your good lady could always politely refuse to accept his financial assistance in such a trivial matter.

[Zigster]

I’m with the OP on this.

If the OP is an additional rate tax-payer (I.e. income over £150k) and has been for years then he will have more than enough cash for a car repair.

Just tell the FiL thanks, but no thanks and that you’re happy to pay it yourself.