Untaxing

Episode

Title

First
Broadcast

Repeated

Comments

The Napkin That Changed The World

20250331

20250526 (R4)
20250707 (R4)
20250926 (R4)
20250927 (R4)

Albert Einstein called tax ‘the hardest thing in the world to understand' - but was he right? Tax expert and campaigner, Dan Neidle delves into the bizarre, brilliant and sometimes disastrous ways tax shapes our lives, our choices and the world around us.

A quick sketch over dinner in 1974 became one of the most influential ideas in economic policy. Art Laffer's curve promised that tax cuts could pay for themselves - but was it brilliant insight or a costly illusion?

Producer: Tom Pooley

A Tempo+Talker production for BBC Radio 4

Dan Neidle unpacks the bizarre, brilliant and unexpected ways tax shapes our world.

Is tax really the hardest thing in the world to understand? Tax expert Dan Neidle explores the surprising ways tax influences everything - from the economy to everyday life.

[LISTEN NOW]

The Beatles Clause

20250401

20250714 (R4)
20251003 (R4)
20251004 (R4)

Harry Potter star, Rupert Grint, thought he'd found a way to cut his tax bill, until an obscure law tripped him up. That law? One created because of The Beatles.

But why were the Fab Four so desperate to avoid tax? And how did their money-saving scheme end with them losing control of their own music? A story of rock, rebellion, and the long arm of the taxman.

Producer: Tom Pooley

A Tempo+Talker production for BBC Radio 4

Tax: complex, surprising and more powerful than you think. Dan Neidle unpacks its impact.

Tax isn't just about numbers, it's about power, politics and history. Dan Neidle explores how it shapes our world in ways you never imagined.

[LISTEN NOW]

Jaffa Cake Or Biscuit?

20250402

20250721 (R4)
20251010 (R4)
20251011 (R4)

A biscuit or a cake? That was the question that landed biscuit company McVities in court in 1991 - and the fate of the Jaffa Cake rested on the most unexpected piece of evidence.

But behind the absurdity lies a deeper issue - how the UK's messy VAT system distorts prices, creates baffling tax battles, and might just be costing us over £20 billion a year.

Producer: Tom Pooley

Music: Jaffa Cake Musical is by Gigglemug Theatre, with songs by Sam Cochrane, arrangements by Rob Gathercole, and Katie Pritchard singing 'Tax Man'.

A Tempo+Talker production for BBC Radio 4

Dan Neidle reveals the unexpected ways tax shapes our world.

From rock stars to rogue billionaires, tax has shaped fortunes and toppled empires. Dan Neidle unpicks its strangest and most consequential stories.

Albert Einstein called tax 'the hardest thing in the world to understand', was he right?

[LISTEN NOW]

The Porn Star Tax Lawyer

20250403

20251017 (R4)
20251018 (R4)

Think tax is boring? Dan Neidle asks you to think again.

Albert Einstein called tax 'the hardest thing in the world to understand', was he right?

[LISTEN NOW]

The Porn Star Tax Lawyer

20250403

20250728 (R4)

Think tax is boring? Dan Neidle asks you to think again.

[LISTEN NOW]

The \u00a310 Billion Fridge

20250404

20251024 (R4)
20251025 (R4)

A fruit and veg supplier installs a fridge. A tax advisor claims it's a scientific breakthrough, and urges a claim for R&D tax relief.

That fridge is just the tip of a £10 billion scandal. How did HMRC let it happen? And why is no one talking about it?

Producer: Tom Pooley

A Tempo+Talker production for BBC Radio 4

Dan Neidle unpacks the bizarre, brilliant and unexpected ways tax shapes our world.

Albert Einstein called tax 'the hardest thing in the world to understand', was he right?

Tax isn't just about numbers - it's about power, politics and history. Dan Neidle explores how it shapes our world in ways you never imagined.

[LISTEN NOW]

05 LAST

The £10 Billion Fridge

20250404

20250804 (R4)

A fruit and veg supplier installs a fridge. A tax advisor claims it's a scientific breakthrough. And the government hands over thousands in what's called R&D tax relief.

This is just one small example of a system rife with fraud, one that has cost taxpayers a staggering £10 billion. So how did HMRC let it happen? And why is no one talking about it?

Producer: Tom Pooley

A Tempo+Talker production for BBC Radio 4

Dan Neidle unpacks the bizarre, brilliant, and unexpected ways tax shapes our world.

Tax isn't just about numbers - it's about power, politics, and history. Dan Neidle explores how it shapes our world in ways you never imagined.

A fruit and veg supplier installs a fridge. A tax advisor claims it's a scientific breakthrough, and urges a claim for R&D tax relief.

That fridge is just the tip of a £10 billion scandal. How did HMRC let it happen? And why is no one talking about it?

[LISTEN NOW]

Episodes

Episode	Title	First Broadcast	Repeated	Comments
01	The Napkin That Changed The World	20250331	20250526 (R4) 20250707 (R4) 20250926 (R4) 20250927 (R4)	Albert Einstein called tax ‘the hardest thing in the world to understand' - but was he right? Tax expert and campaigner, Dan Neidle delves into the bizarre, brilliant and sometimes disastrous ways tax shapes our lives, our choices and the world around us. A quick sketch over dinner in 1974 became one of the most influential ideas in economic policy. Art Laffer's curve promised that tax cuts could pay for themselves - but was it brilliant insight or a costly illusion? Producer: Tom Pooley A Tempo+Talker production for BBC Radio 4 Dan Neidle unpacks the bizarre, brilliant and unexpected ways tax shapes our world. Is tax really the hardest thing in the world to understand? Tax expert Dan Neidle explores the surprising ways tax influences everything - from the economy to everyday life. [LISTEN NOW]
02	The Beatles Clause	20250401	20250714 (R4) 20251003 (R4) 20251004 (R4)	Harry Potter star, Rupert Grint, thought he'd found a way to cut his tax bill, until an obscure law tripped him up. That law? One created because of The Beatles. But why were the Fab Four so desperate to avoid tax? And how did their money-saving scheme end with them losing control of their own music? A story of rock, rebellion, and the long arm of the taxman. Producer: Tom Pooley A Tempo+Talker production for BBC Radio 4 Tax: complex, surprising and more powerful than you think. Dan Neidle unpacks its impact. Tax isn't just about numbers, it's about power, politics and history. Dan Neidle explores how it shapes our world in ways you never imagined. [LISTEN NOW]
03	Jaffa Cake Or Biscuit?	20250402	20250721 (R4) 20251010 (R4) 20251011 (R4)	A biscuit or a cake? That was the question that landed biscuit company McVities in court in 1991 - and the fate of the Jaffa Cake rested on the most unexpected piece of evidence. But behind the absurdity lies a deeper issue - how the UK's messy VAT system distorts prices, creates baffling tax battles, and might just be costing us over £20 billion a year. Producer: Tom Pooley Music: Jaffa Cake Musical is by Gigglemug Theatre, with songs by Sam Cochrane, arrangements by Rob Gathercole, and Katie Pritchard singing 'Tax Man'. A Tempo+Talker production for BBC Radio 4 Dan Neidle reveals the unexpected ways tax shapes our world. From rock stars to rogue billionaires, tax has shaped fortunes and toppled empires. Dan Neidle unpicks its strangest and most consequential stories. Albert Einstein called tax 'the hardest thing in the world to understand', was he right? [LISTEN NOW]
04	The Porn Star Tax Lawyer	20250403	20251017 (R4) 20251018 (R4)	Think tax is boring? Dan Neidle asks you to think again. Albert Einstein called tax 'the hardest thing in the world to understand', was he right? [LISTEN NOW]
04	The Porn Star Tax Lawyer	20250403	20250728 (R4)	Think tax is boring? Dan Neidle asks you to think again. [LISTEN NOW]
05	The \u00a310 Billion Fridge	20250404	20251024 (R4) 20251025 (R4)	A fruit and veg supplier installs a fridge. A tax advisor claims it's a scientific breakthrough, and urges a claim for R&D tax relief. That fridge is just the tip of a £10 billion scandal. How did HMRC let it happen? And why is no one talking about it? Producer: Tom Pooley A Tempo+Talker production for BBC Radio 4 Dan Neidle unpacks the bizarre, brilliant and unexpected ways tax shapes our world. Albert Einstein called tax 'the hardest thing in the world to understand', was he right? Tax isn't just about numbers - it's about power, politics and history. Dan Neidle explores how it shapes our world in ways you never imagined. [LISTEN NOW]
05 LAST	The £10 Billion Fridge	20250404	20250804 (R4)	A fruit and veg supplier installs a fridge. A tax advisor claims it's a scientific breakthrough. And the government hands over thousands in what's called R&D tax relief. This is just one small example of a system rife with fraud, one that has cost taxpayers a staggering £10 billion. So how did HMRC let it happen? And why is no one talking about it? Producer: Tom Pooley A Tempo+Talker production for BBC Radio 4 Dan Neidle unpacks the bizarre, brilliant, and unexpected ways tax shapes our world. Tax isn't just about numbers - it's about power, politics, and history. Dan Neidle explores how it shapes our world in ways you never imagined. A fruit and veg supplier installs a fridge. A tax advisor claims it's a scientific breakthrough, and urges a claim for R&D tax relief. That fridge is just the tip of a £10 billion scandal. How did HMRC let it happen? And why is no one talking about it? [LISTEN NOW]