Investigations

J Smith (TC4392)

The government has seen a dramatic rise in the number of taxpayers facing scrutiny through a special initiative dedicated to combatting tax evasion.

A total of 6,051 individuals and businesses were referred to HMRC’s managing serious defaulters (MSD) programme in 2014/15, up 31% on the previous year’s 4,624, according to official figures released following a freedom of information request by accountancy group Baker Tilly.

The numbers show growth of 423% between 2013/14 and 2012/13 (1,094).

C Jordan, Upper Tribunal (Tax and Chancery Chamber)

Winnington Networks Communications Ltd v CRC, Chancery Division

Globetrotting businesspeople are increasingly under scrutiny from HMRC, with no sign of a let-up in the near future, according to legal experts.

There has been a 29% rise in the number of tax probes into globally mobile high earners in the past year, City law firm PC has reported. The Revenue’s personal tax international compliance unit investigated 764 cases during 2014/15, up from 593 in 2013/14 and 438 in 2012/13.

HMRC have curbed their use of private debt-collectors by half, according UHY Hacker Young.

Research by the accountancy group shows the Revenue spent £6.8m on retrieving money through third-parties in 2014, compared with a record £14.8m in 2013.

“Debt collection agencies are rarely the most appropriate way for HMRC to collect unpaid taxes,” said Mark Giddens, head of UHY Hacker Young London’s private client department

HMRC are reviewing their system of fines

The new penalties regime for offshore evasion

Couldwell Concrete Flooring Ltd (TC4340)

PAC also critical of reliefs cost data

Plan revived to tackle offshore evasion

Pitfalls that can arise for clients offered code of practice 9