HMRC launches taskforce to crack down on West Midland restaurant fraudsters
HM Revenue and Customs has unleashed a taskforce to tackle tax dodgers in the West Midlands’ restaurant industry.
HMRC said it had seen an increased risk of fraudulent activity in the industry and the taskforce was expected to recover more than £3m in Corporation Tax, Income Tax and VAT.
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.
Jim Stevenson, Head of HMRC’s Enforcement and Compliance Taskforces, said: “The people being targeted by this taskforce have no intention of playing by the rules. HMRC has made it clear that we will not tolerate tax evasion and we have the resources to crack down on those who break the law.
“Our taskforces are deployed in sectors and areas where we’ve detected a high risk of tax evasion. If you haven’t declared all your income we will find you and investigate. This could result in a heavy fine and, in some cases, in a prosecution as well.”
HMRC has collected more than £213m as a result of 83 taskforces being launched since 2011 to 2012. A further 17 are planned during 2014-15, which are expected to recover more than £116m for the Exchequer.
