Market leading insight for tax experts
View online issue

Pákozdi v Hungary

Default surcharge and human rights

In Pákozdi v Hungary [2014] ECHR 1318 (25 November 2014) the European Court of Human Rights found that proceedings relating to the imposition of a default surcharge were criminal in nature.

Following a tax audit Ms Pákozdi had been found liable to pay personal income tax as well as an additional 50 % surcharge and interest when the Hungarian tax authorities dismissed her claim that a disputed amount was a loan from her father.

The Hungarian Supreme Court had found without holding an oral hearing that Ms Pákozdi’s assertions had fallen ‘short of being supported by credible evidence’; it had therefore found in favour of the tax authority.

Ms Pákozdi claimed that her right to a fair and public hearing under ECHR art 6 had been violated. Article 6 could only be in point if the proceedings were criminal.

...

If you or your firm subscribes to Taxjournal.com, please click the login box below:

If you do not subscribe but are a registered user, please enter your details in the following boxes:

Alternatively, you can register free of charge to read a limited amount of subscriber content per month.
Once you have registered, you will receive an email directing you back to read this article in full.
Please reach out to customer services at +44 (0) 330 161 1234 or 'customer.services@lexisnexis.co.uk' for further assistance.
EDITOR'S PICKstar
Top