This in from the HMRC, in their own words. Ed
The taskforce – targeted at individuals and businesses in South Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Dorset, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Surrey, Sussex and Wiltshire – aims to tackle people with offshore accounts and those living lifestyles beyond their obvious means through assets from undeclared income. This will recover £2.8 million.
Taskforces are specialist teams that undertake intensive bursts of activity in specific high-risk trade sectors and locations in the UK. The teams visit traders to examine their records and carry out other investigations.
“We will not tolerate tax evasion”
David Gauke, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, said:
“We are determined to support hardworking people who want to get on, but the people being targeted by these taskforces have no intention of playing by the rules.
“This Government has made it clear that we will not tolerate tax evasion and has provided HMRC with the resources to crack down on those who break the rules.”
HMRC has collected more than £100 million as a result of taskforces launched since 2011-12. It expects to bring in over £90 million a year from taskforces launched over the next three years.
“Do the right thing”
HMRC’s Jennie Granger, Director General of Enforcement and Compliance, said:
“Deliberately not declaring your income is serious. Our message is – do the right thing. If you haven’t already, come clean now. If you don’t, we will find you, investigate you and, not only could you face a heavy fine, but you may face a criminal prosecution as well.”
Other taskforces being launched today to tackle tax evasion will target:
- road transport industry in the South East and South
- VAT repayments in South Wales, North East and South West England
If you know anyone who is evading their taxes, you can tell HMRC by calling the Tax Evasion Hotline on 0800 788 887.
Image: Images of Money under CC BY 2.0
