Brian Keegan: Linking tax and social welfare systems for the benefit of all

Brian Keegan, director of public policy at  Chartered Accountants Ireland.

Attitudes towards those involved in social welfare fraud versus those who perpetrate tax fraud can differ. While it should be hard to make any distinction from an ethical standpoint, some people seem to think that defrauding the State by taking money to which they are not entitled is in some way worse than defrauding the State by not paying what is due.

The motivation for fraud can muddy the waters yet further. Declaring income for tax purposes can often mean a loss of some if not all social welfare benefits.