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In this dialogue, Margaret of the Inland Revenue has come to visit John Collar. She has a few questions about his company records. Listen to the conversation and answer these questions:
1. What false claims did John make on his tax forms?
2. What does John attempt to do to resolve the situation?
Margaret: Good morning. I’m Margaret Pennies of the Inland Revenue. You are John Collar, are you not?
John: Oh, hello. Who let you in?
Margaret: The door was open. Here’s my card.
John: Mmm… I really don’t think you can just walk straight in.
Margaret: Oh yes I can.
John: Oh, right, yes, erm, do sit down. Would you like a drink? Or some food perhaps? I’ve got some lovely biscuits, and I could make you a large, hot coffee…
Margaret: No. Now let’s look at your company records. Let me see, “Tomahawk Construction”. What was that?
John: That was a company that I set up then closed down shortly afterwards.
Margaret: Mmm... very suspicious. We have evidence, Mr Collar, that this company received 200,000 GBP for the construction of a municipal swimming pool. As far as I can see you failed to report this. I’ll just remind you that tax evasion is a crime.
John: Isn’t that a case of tax avoidance?
Margaret: No!
John: Oh right. Well, I’m sorry but I just forgot to mention it. Would it help things if I offered you this envelope?
Margaret: Envelope? What’s inside it?
John: Just a little “something” to show my appreciation for all the hard work you put into your job.
Margaret: Is this a bribe? Are you trying to bribe me?
John: No!
Margaret: I’ll have you know that attempting to bribe a government official is a serious crime. Look, Mr Collar. Frankly, you are in a lot of trouble: in March you say that you made a 10,000 GBP contribution to a charity called “Food for Thought”. We checked this out and this company is not a registered charity; and last year you filed a false tax return, claiming that your estate was worth just 50,000 GBP, when its estimated value is well over three million pounds. What have you got to say for yourself?
John: Erm, I think I need some fresh air. Would you mind
waiting here for a while? Ten years, perhaps?
(Mr Collar runs out of the office)
Margaret: Mr Collar… come back here… Mr Collar…
Answers
Did you hear the answers?
1. John failed to report 200,000 GBP for building a pool, he claimed to have made a contribution to a charity, and he claimed his estate was worth just 50,000 GBP.
2. John attempts to bribe the tax inspector. Finally, he just runs away.
Exercise
Now listen to some extracts from the conversation again. You will notice there are some missing words and a beeping sound. See if you can write the missing word. The answers are on the CD.
1. Now let’s look ______ your company records.
2. That was a company that I set ______ then closed down.
3. As far _____ I can see you failed to report this.
4. Just a little “something” to show my appreciation _______ all the hard work.
5. Frankly, you are ____ a lot of trouble. 6. Would you mind waiting here ______ a while?
GLOSSARY
the Inland Revenue n the government department that investigates tax (money that people pay to the government for services such as education, hospitals etc)
to walk straight in exp to enter a place without asking permission
erm exp this is a noise that people make while they are thinking what to say
do sit down exp this polite expression means: please sit down
to set up phr vb to establish and start
to close down phr vb to stop and to close
GBP abbr Great British Pounds
tax evasion n the crime of not paying tax that you should pay
tax avoidance n the legal / semi-legal activities that are designed to reduce the amount of tax you have to pay
a bribe / to bribe n & vb money you pay to an official or police officer to convince them to give you preferential treatment
to file a false tax return exp to complete a tax form with false information. |
