Exposed! Carr caught up in tax avoidance row…

Jimmy Carr

Jimmy Carr has found himself at the centre of a tax avoidance row – with claims he shelters millions of pounds in an off-shore scheme.

This morning The Times began their investigation into tax avoidance with the exposure of a Jersey-based scheme that protects £168 million a year from the taxman. And comedian Carr, who performed for the Queen at the Diamond Jubilee celebrations earlier this month, has been named as the largest beneficiary of the legal loophole.

According to an accountant selling the tax scheme, Carr shelters £3.3 million a year through K2, which is used by 1,100 other tax avoiders. Roy Lyness, of Peak Performance Accountants, told a reporter that Carr “pays himself about £100,000 salary and puts £3.3 million through the solution.

“It’s a game of cat and mouse,” Lyness added. “The Revenue closes one scheme, we find another way round it.

“It’s like a sat-nav. I’m driving to Manchester, get a message saying there’s a smash at Stoke, press this button to re-route. That’s all we do with tax avoidance. The Revenue puts a block in, we just go round the block.”

When questioned by The Times, Carr’s lawyers denied any wrongdoing, arguing that the scheme is “in accordance with legal requirements.” However online reaction to the story is polarized.

Twitter user @jonners defended Carr, tweeting: “Seems the papers are using a big name to create a story when thousands of no-names do exactly the same with a lot more money.” @rhodri agreed, commenting: “TBH, the Times headline should really say ‘Jimmy Carr employs accountant’.”

However other users of the social networking website, including several comedians, have condemned Carr’s financial activity.

Robin Ince tweeted: “Oh dear, seems people are questioning Jimmy Carr, who will be my moral compass now?”

Stand-up Martin Mor also took to Twitter to share his views on the story, commenting: “Jimmy Carr tax avoidance story simply highlights the different laws for the rich than for the rest of us. Everyone should pay their fair tax.”

Last year Carr performed a sketch on Channel 4’s satirical comedy 10 O’Clock Live in which he lampooned Barclays Bank for paying just 1% tax. Watch the clip here:

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