Taskforce to tackle tax dodgers

Two new taskforces to tackle tax evasion in the North West and North Wales have been announced by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).

The taskforces will target evasion amongst landlords who own and/or rent more than three properties, and construction traders who are self employed or who run their own company where suppression of sales or over-claiming expenses is identified.

Taskforces are specialist teams that undertake intensive bursts of compliance activity in specific high risk trade sectors and locations across the UK.

Mike Wells, HMRC's Director of Risk and Intelligence, said: “These taskforce will come down hard and fast on those who have chosen to break the rules and deliberately evade the taxes they should be paying. Honest businesses, however, have absolutely nothing to worry about.

“HMRC is clear – if you deliberately seek to evade tax we can and will track you down and you’ll face not only a heavy fine, but possibly a criminal prosecution as well.”

The taskforces come as a result of the Government’s £900m spending review re-investment to tackle tax evasion, avoidance and fraud from 2011/12, which aims to raise an additional £7 billion each year by 2014/15.

This taskforce follows the taskforce which tackled tax dodgers in the North West restaurant trade, launched in May 2011. HMRC is planning 12 taskforces in 2011/12, with more to follow in 2012/13.

If you are aware of someone who is evading their taxes you can tell HMRC via the Tax Evasion Hotline by phone on 0800 788 887, email or by post. Full details can be found at www.hmrc.gov.uk/tax-evasion/index.htm