Belfast Telegraph  Monday 10 March 2014  Our hairdressers are
cut above the rest, Mr Taxman  You'd think, when a top comedian
can get away with 1% tax and when hedge fund investors pay less
tax than their cleaners, there would be more appropriate targets
for HMRC than Madge and Doris down at Headz Up.  But hide your
curlers, perming lotion, dye and GHD straighteners, ladies, the
taxman cometh.  Bizarrely, while Revenue inspectors will be
bouncing into pubs in Scotland, cafes in Wales, and garages in
England, it's hairdressers in Northern Ireland who can expect to
see Hector's bowler hat bobbing into view.  Of course, everyone
should pay their fair whack but Mr Grabbit and Mr Run of HMRC
would do well to consult Mrs G and Mrs R before rushing to
judgement. Fact is, hairdressers do much more than tease the
province's strands.  They are the fourth emergency service,
rolling retail therapist, psychiatrist, girlfriend, wise woman,
confessor and life coach into one appointment.  Maybe that's it
- the misters can't