HMRC names and shames tax dodgers

NORTH West companies and business owners feature prominently in a list of tax dodgers published for the first time by HM Revenue and Customs.

The list of “deliberate defaulters” includes cases where tax of more than £25,000 has not been paid.

Those included have already faced penalties for deliberate errors in their tax returns and deliberately failing to comply with tax obligations.

The list has nine names, five of which are based in the North West. The largest fine was £291,830 for a Mobberley wine merchant called The Trade Beverage Company.

Others included were Southport bar and club owner, Southport Leisure; Liverpool hairdresser Joseph Tyrrell; Liverpool pipework specialist S Stewart; and Bolton coach operator Brian Tattersall.

Treasury minister David Gauke, said: “HMRC is dedicated to clamping down on the small minority of people who break the law, and finding and taking action against tax cheats who try to evade their responsibilities.

“The publication of these names sends a clear signal that cheating on tax is wrong and reassures people who pay their taxes – the vast majority – that there are consequences for those who refuse to tell HMRC about their full liability. It also encourages defaulters to make a full and prompt disclosure and cooperate with HMRC to avoid being named.”