HMRC Plans Evasion Crackdown with 30 New Taskforces

HMRC will launch 30 new taskforces to crack down on tax dodgers in 2012/13.

The taskforces will target specific business sectors in specific locations. The likely targets include the rag trade, the motor trade and indoor and outdoor markets.

HMRC expects to collect over £50m as a result of 12 taskforces launched in 2011/12 and, with 13 criminal investigations under way, this figure is set to rise. There are also plans to extend some of the taskforces from 2011 to different locations, including the scrap metal taskforce launched in Scotland in November.

HMRC’s director of local compliance, Richard Summersgill, said:

‘Taskforces only target people who are at high risk of breaking the rules and don’t pay the tax they owe. We know we’re going after the right people – some taskforces have hit rates of 100% so far.’

Taskforces come as a result of the government’s £917m spending review investment to tackle tax evasion, avoidance and fraud from 2011/12, which aims to raise an additional £7bn each year by 2014/15.

Full details on all 2012/13 taskforces will be announced later in the year.