HMRC have announced 4 new taskforces that will investigate tax evasion in specific commercial and geographical sectors. The taskforces bring together various compliance and enforcement teams for what they term “intensive bursts of targeted activity”.
The investigations will focus on the following industies:
- Security guards, door staff and their employers in London and the South East (with fraudulent VAT repayment claims identified as an increased risk in this sector);
- Second-hand motor traders in the Midlands;
- Construction industry in London;
- Hidden wealth / “means” issues in the Midlands (they will be comparing lifestyles to known assets).
HMRC are hoping to raise about £30m from these investigations.
