Funding boost could push tax evasion prosecutions to 800
Can HM Revenue & Customs increase tax evasion prosecutions fivefold?
Criminal convictions for tax evasion could leap to 800, if
HM Revenue &
Customs increases its prosecutions by fivefold.
The Treasury
announced this week that it intends a fivefold increase in prosecutions through
a £900m boost to the fight against tax evasion.
HMRC prosecuted 157 individuals for tax evasion in the year ending 30
September 2009.
“This announcement by the Treasury represents a complete u-turn,” said
McGrigors
partner Jason Collins. “HMRC has been putting forward fewer cases for
prosecution in recent years, and recently reiterated that it would contest fewer
cases in the courts.”
“However, HMRC’s record in taking tax criminal investigations all the way to
court and securing convictions is lamentable. It’s a big ask to expect HMRC to
improve its success rate by 500 per cent, without it making many more mistakes.
”
Further reading:
Lib
Dems launch avoidance crack down
CIoT
says advisers will welcome Lib Dem tax evasion crackdown