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How landlords are using 'snail farms' to avoid tax

Westminster Council say "unscrupulous traders" are claiming agricultural tax exemptions.

Boxes of snails have been found in Westminster offices by council officers investigating tax avoidance schemes.

Crates of snails have been discovered in what Westminster City Council described as "unscrupulous traders" trying to claim agricultural business tax exemptions by saying they were running snail farms.

Council leader Adam Hug says the recent discovery, "vividly illustrates an issue of business rates avoidance based on a ludicrous notion".

So how does this 'ludicrous' scheme work? And what need to be done to stop it?

(Image credit: Getty Images)

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