Only 1,500 declare under health tax amnesty

Only 1,500 doctors and dentists have applied to enter the taxman's scheme to declare £9m of untaxed income.

The taxman believes there are a potential 28,500 GPs, dentists and health professionals who have undeclared earnings. The deadline for the Tax Health Plan expired on 30 June, and provides a set 10% penalty in return for disclosure.

"We are surprised at the lack of response and those wanting to bypass the threat of prosecution should come forward immediately," said RSM Tenon tax director and CIoT's taxes management committee chairman Gary Ashford.

"This is the first of HMRC’s sector focused schemes so we imagine the next one may look a little different to try to increase its effectiveness," he added.

The highest value disclosure so far is in excess of £1m by a doctor, and more than £300,000 from a dentist.

“We are very happy with the response to the campaign," said an HMRC spokesman.

"We didn’t have a target in mind but nonetheless the campaign has resulted in millions of pounds of tax that might otherwise have been lost being paid to HMRC as required by law.

“Anyone who has been evading tax should talk to us as a matter of urgency as voluntary disclosure always makes financial sense.”

Further reading:

Dentists included in doctors' amnesty plan

Doctors' tax amnesty 'unfair'