News

In a press release issued by HMRC today it was stated that 5 arrests have been made and 600 civil investigations are underway following the amnesty for plmbers and other tradesmen, with some of the sums involved being reported as owing up to £150,000 in unpid taxes.

This announcement follows the start of co-ordinated action which is expected to be rolled out across the UK in the coming weeks including Yorkshire, Kent, cambridge, Tyne and Wear, South Wales and the Midlands.

John Pointing, Assistant Director, HMRC Criminal Investigation, said:

“These raids and arrests of ‘ghosts’ - people who have not declared income from the work they do - are the culmination of months of work by HMRC.

“We provided a chance for those we have arrested, and the 600 we are investigating, to come forward voluntarily and put things right. These arrests send a clear message that HMRC will take action against those who choose not to come forward and pay the tax they owe.”

Mike Wells, Director HMRC Risk & Intelligence Service, said:

“These arrests are just the start. HMRC is considering hundreds of further cases for criminal investigation in the plumbing and medical professions. Some people may have thought we were bluffing when we said we have information that we will use to prosecute tax evasion.”

It is not too late to come forward if you have under declared or not declared tax but the Plumbers Tax Safe Plan guaranteed terms are no longer available.