A Manx business is facing a bill of almost ?43 million from the UK’s taxman.
Island Contract Management, registered in Millennium House in Victoria Road in Douglas, helped builders dodge tax for eight years.
The payroll firm dealt with thousands of self-employed workers in the UK construction industry between 2002 and 2010, and HMRC says its tax scheme cost the UK tens of millions of pounds.
Chartered accountant David Boothman had appealed decisions made by the UK taxman in 2008 and 20010.
Judge Timothy Herrington of the First Tier Tax Tribunal heard the appeal in London over three days in October last year.
He described Mr Boothman’s evidence as unsatisfactory, vague, contradictory and inconsistent – saying he gave evasive or over complicated answers to straightforward questions.
Mr Boothman claimed because his company was based in the Isle of Man, it was outside HMRC’s jurisdiction.
The judge disagreed and upheld the notices of determination from the taxman which demanded a total of ?42.75 million.
