HMRC increases raids by more than a quarter in a year

HMRC is continuing to ramp up the number of raids on premises as part of its criminal investigations. Officers searched 761 properties in the year ending 31 March 2016 up 28% on the previous year when the Revenue conducted 593 raids.

According to law firm Pinsent Masons this is 53% more than five years ago when HMRC searched 499 properties. The continued rise comes as the department is under pressure to increase the number of successful prosecutions for tax evasion and has been given extra resources to pursue more cases.

Paul Noble tax director at Pinsent Masons said: ‘Criminal prosecutions for tax evasion can be notoriously difficult to bring to court so raiding property is a vital way for HMRC to get hold of the crucial evidence it needs.’

Further given that tax evasion investigations can be complex and time-consuming the only way to...