Legal News
HMRC taskforces recover £109m from tax evaders (19 October 2015)
Date: 19/10/2015
A crackdown on tax cheats by HMRC has netted £109 million in the last six months – including £64.9m recovered in the first three months of this year, more than double the figure for the same period in 2014.
Between April and October 2015, HMRC launched 27 new taskforces, targeting sectors that are at the highest risk of tax fraud – including Income Tax Self Assessment (ITSA) Repayments, Retail, Hidden Wealth and Grocery sectors.
Figures show that one taskforce alone resulted in 22 arrests.
Taskforces were first launched in spring 2011 as part of HMRC’s compliance strategy to tackle tax evasion and fraud.
More than 100 taskforces have been launched since then, yielding more than £404m.
Speaking at the UK Tax Investigation Conference on Friday (16/10/15), Director General for Enforcement and Compliance at HMRC, Jennie Granger, said:
“The message is clear – if you try to cheat on your tax we are going to catch you.
“It’s only fair that we all pay what we should to fund public services.
“We have increasing amounts of intelligence – and are using state-of-the-art digital tools to help us to identify and target high-risk areas.
“This yield of £109 million – almost double the figure for the same period in 2014 – shows that our strategy is working.”
Duncan Lewis Business Crime Solicitors
Duncan Lewis business crime solicitors can advise at the start of an investigation into tax evasion, including before charges are brought.
There are Duncan Lewis offices nationwide – and a Duncan Lewis business crime solicitor can attend interviews with investigating agencies such as HMRC, SFO, FCA, BIS and City of London Police.
For expert legal advice on tax evasion charges, call Duncan Lewis business crime solicitors on 020 7923 4020.
For 24/7 help at a police station, call the Duncan Lewis Emergency Hotline on 020 7275 2036.