Customs moves on VAT dodgers

Black economy fraudsters are the target of new hit squads set up this summer by Customs & Excise.

Customs has created six new teams, comprising 50 officers, designed to tackle businesses underdeclaring VAT. They also have the specific task of identifying businesses whose taxable turnover is above the z47,000 VAT registration threshold, but are not registered.

Initial results of Customs’ war against VAT dodgers will be announced at the end of the month.

Chairman of Customs, Valerie Strachan, said the teams – in London, Bury, Glasgow, Wolverhampton, Colchester and Oxford – had the backing of the public, legitimate business and trade associations.

Major targets for the teams, which will liaise with bodies such as Government departments, local authorities and licensing authorities, include the construction, restaurant and tourism trades.

Strachan said: ‘Businesses which are trading above the registration threshold, but do not register for VAT, have an unfair advantage over those who pay the tax. Customs has a duty to ensure that businesses compete on an equal footing and is determined to tackle this illegal activity.’