HMRC to investigate MPs capital gains tax
HMRC to look at whether MPs owe CGT on sales of second homes
HM Revenue and Customs will investigate whether MPs have deliberately evaded
capital gains tax when selling their second homes, the Guardian has reported.
The news comes after a series of leaks about the way MPs have used Commons’
allowances for personal gain.
Home secretary Jacqui Smith registered the house she shared with her sister
in south London as her primary residence, which meant she could claim the
parliamentary allowance of up to £24,000 for her family home in Redditch.
Her actions were criticised in an article in the Observer by former chairman
of the committee on standards in public life, Alistair Graham. A spokesman for
Smith said she would be seeking legal advice following his comments.
