Tax Avoidance - try this 'Reach the Peak' activity

So, tax avoidance is back in the news with the ongoing investigations surrounding the 'Paradise Papers'. Economics students will know the difference between tax evasion (which is illegal) and tax avoidance - the use of 'clever' accounting processes to avoid paying the maximum possible tax.

Avoidance becomes a useful evaluation topic for students. For example, it could be argued that progressive tax policies will have less impact if the very wealthy can employ people who are able to find loopholes and methods of avoiding their tax burden.

This 'Reach the Peak' activity uses 10 'famous' incidents of tax avoidance schemes undertaken by UK personalities. Let's be clear - no-one is accusing these celebrities of unlawful activities.

Use this as a 10 minute discussion piece with a screen or interactive whiteboard at the start of your next session or set as a quick individual task for those with access to mobile devices.