Reform dragged into tax row by Richard Tice's unpaid £100,000
The party’s deputy leader says he will ‘pay what is owed if numbers need rechecking’ after more revelations from The Sunday Times.
ground.newsHere’s what’s circulating about Richard Tice and tax:
- Recent reporting in April 2026 alleged that Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice and his property-related entities reportedly avoided paying roughly £91,000–£100,000 in corporation tax between 2020 and 2022 by classifying income in a way that reduced his tax liability. Several articles frame this as a potential tax avoidance issue, with Labour calling for HMRC to review the arrangements.[1][3][8]
- The coverage notes that Tice’s firms used structures described as shell or dormant entities and a REIT-like setup to channel profits, prompting questions about compliance and potential penalties if HMRC finds wrongdoing. Tice and Reform UK have disputed or downplayed the significance, emphasizing legality and accuracy in their filings.[2][4][8]
- Responses to the reports vary: some outlets describe it as a minor administrative matter, while others, including Labour’s chair, advocate formal investigations. The framing ranges from calling for scrutiny to defending the legality of the arrangements.[3][8][2]
What this means if you’re following UK politics:
- The story centers on whether the tax arrangements were legal but aggressive in minimizing liabilities, and whether HMRC will investigate or reassess the structures used by Tice-related entities. Expect ongoing political rhetoric and potential official inquiries as the HMRC reviews or responds to the allegations.[8][2][3]
- It’s important to distinguish between legal tax avoidance (permitted by law, though often controversial) and illegal tax evasion. The current coverage emphasizes the former but notes calls for closer scrutiny and possible enforcement actions if anomalies are found.[3][8]
Illustration
- Timeline snapshot: Sunday Times reports in March–April 2026 about nearly £600k avoided via REIT-like status; subsequent outlets discuss £91k–£100k in corporation tax that may have been underpaid; Labour calls for HMRC investigation while Reform defends legality.[1][2][8][3]
If you’d like, I can summarize the exact figures and the specific structures mentioned (e.g., REIT-like status, offshore/dis dormant entities) from each article, or monitor for HMRC statements and any official investigations as they develop. Citations, , , .