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24 May 2011
THE TAXMAN is clawing back "more money than ever", according to its permanent secretary for tax.
Dave Harnett (pictured) told the House of Lords Finance Bill Committee that HM Revenue & Customs' approach of targeting certain professions had brought in "huge amounts" on unpaid tax, according to the Citywire website.
Further reading
Hartnett said: "We used to talk to people one-to-one, now it's one-to-hundreds even one-to-thousands. But we have seen success dealing with offshore bank accounts and particular professions, such as the medical profession, has brought in huge amounts.
"I do not have figures but accounts will show that we have brought in bigger amounts that we have ever achieved by some margin."
HMRC has recently targeted plumbers by offering them lower penalty rates for disclosing unpaid tax; it is expected to offer similar amnesties for other trades. The Taxman has also set up special task forces to target the restaurant trade in London before rolling them out across the UK.
The government ringfenced £917m to tackle tax evasion, avoidance and fraud from 2011-12. HMRC is aiming to claw back £7bn each year by 2014-15.
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Visitor comments Add your comment
still missing
Still missing most of it though !
Posted by: Spike, 24 May 2011 | 11:46
comment
The most effective, and cheapest, way to increase tax take by HMRC would be to get rid of the entire top tier of management, including:
“Call me Dave” Hartnett, whose easy bedside manner with high value tax avoidance disputes costs us billions. First-class Hartnett is also not shy about us charging huge expenses either.
“Not Fit For Purpose” Dame Lesley Strathie - should henceforth be known as Lame Lesley Strathie.
The apparently appropriately named Mike Clasper failed, however, to hold on fast to taxpayer records on a number of occasions.
Posted by: roger, 24 May 2011 | 15:16
Clawing back or refusing to repay what taxpayers are owed?
In my experience they are withholding valid refunds, 'adjusting' accounts and then refusing to pay over money and demanding money they are not owed. In fact doing anything to refill the coffers today and leaving the complaints to be sorted out later.
Just like politicians really.
Posted by: Eleanor, 24 May 2011 | 16:20