Introduction »

More Taskforces!

As widely reported in the press the Government have made an investment in HMRC of over £900m to crack down on tax avoidance, evasion and fraud with the aim of raising an additional £7bn each year by 2014/15.

One line of attack by HMRC to tackle evasion and avoidance is the use of taskforces. These bring together various HMRC compliance and enforcement teams for intensive bursts of activity targeted at specific sectors and locations where there is high risk of tax evasion. The first taskforce was launched in May 2011 and according to David Gauke, the Exchequer Secretary:

‘HMRC is on target to collect more than £50 million as a result of taskforces launched in 2011/12’.

The most recent campaigns are aimed at:

• The rag trade - expected to recover over £9 million they will target manufacturing, wholesale, retail and textile recycling in the Midlands, North Wales and the North West
• Rental property - expected to recover nearly £4 million in the rental property sector in the South East
• The alcohol industry - expected to recover around £4 million in Scotland.

If you have any concerns that you may be affected by these taskforces please contact us for further information.

Introduction »