When Good Advice Isn’t Enough: Miquita Oliver, Tax, and the Limits of Professional Responsibility

At The Tax Faculty, we pride ourselves on staying in tune with stories that go beyond the numbers – the human side of tax, finance, and everything in between.

So when Miquita Oliver opened up on her podcast Miss Me? about going bankrupt at 27 after ignoring her tax bills, it struck a chord with many of us in the office – both as advisors and as people who care about financial education.

Her story isn’t unusual. But it is honest.

Refreshingly Transparent

“I knew nothing about tax – absolutely nothing,” she admitted. “I come from parents who know nothing about tax. They didn’t think to ask me whether I was paying tax on the money that I was earning, and I was earning a lot of money. I didn’t ask.”

Despite sound advice from her accountant to set aside money monthly for her tax bill, Miquita admits she buried her head in the sand. The result? A £170,000 tax bill, bankruptcy, and selling personal belongings to try and recover. What struck us most was her clarity on one point: this wasn’t her accountant’s fault.

So where do our responsibilities as advisors end?

This story raises a question we often ask ourselves as tax professionals: how far does our duty of care extend? We advise, educate, and encourage. We might even remind clients with monthly emails, dashboards, and budgeting tools. But can we actually make them take action? And should we be held accountable when they don’t?

The answer, of course, is complicated.

It’s easy to say, “Well, she should have listened to her accountant,” but we know better than most how complex the relationship between advice and action can be. Clients are human – they procrastinate, get overwhelmed, and sometimes avoid financial realities out of fear, shame, or a sense of helplessness. And that doesn’t make them bad people. It makes them normal.

Does a Gap Exist in Financial Education?

Miquita’s story also hints at something a little deeper and more systemic – is raises the question "Is there a gap in financial education?" Are we failing to prepare people for their future financial obligations?

As Miquita said, “This tax and VAT stuff is starting to intimidate me and scare me and I don’t understand it – so I’m just going to start not paying it and hiding from it.” That fear? That confusion? It’s not rare.

This isn’t just about personal responsibility. It’s about the collective failure to equip people – especially young people – with the knowledge and confidence to manage tax effectively. So many young adults say they didn’t learn about tax at school; it’s no wonder so many people find themselves lost when that first HMRC letter lands.

What can we, as tax professionals, do?

We can’t force clients to follow our advice, but we can do the following:

• Create more touchpoints – check in more frequently and make those check-ins accessible and unintimidating.

• Speak their language – simplify the jargon and personalise the message.

• Provide financial education – not just to the wealthy or self-employed, but to anyone who wants to learn

Most importantly, we can remember that good advice is only powerful when it's heard, understood, and acted on. That requires empathy, patience, and sometimes a creative rethink of how we deliver that advice.

Final Thoughts

Miquita’s story might feel extreme – most of us don’t make significant earnings in our early twenties – but the emotions behind it are deeply relatable. The confusion, the fear, the avoidance. It’s a reality many face when the financial world feels distant, complex, and intimidating.

It reminds us that being a good accountant or tax advisor isn’t just about understanding the system – it’s about understanding people. And that means leading with clarity, compassion, and patience.

Because sometimes, even the best advice isn’t enough. But how we deliver that advice? That can make all the difference.

—The Tax Faculty Team

Capital Gains Tax Expertise: The Tax Faculty LLP Managing Partner Charles Tateson Named UK Capital Gains Tax Advisor of the Year 2023

The Finance Monthly Taxation Awards recognises the achievements of tax professionals from around the globe.

Winning such an award is no small feat. It is a reflection of hard work, extensive knowledge, and an ability to navigate the intricacies of the UK tax system.

Read more about Charles and the award here.

Contact Us

Contact us today on freephone 0800 0016 878 for a free consultation on all tax issues, or fill out the handy form below and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.

Alternatively, you can email us at info@thetaxfaculty.co.uk or complete the form below.

(Please note, non-UK callers may need to call 0207 101 3845 if your line cannot connect to our 0800 number)

Feel free to contact us through WhatsApp - we accept calls and messages.

Simply click the WhatsApp button below: