Revenue wins extra cash to chase the rich
The Inland Revenue will provide its tax inspectors with an extra £155m to help raise an additional £1.7bn revenue over the next three years.
The drive follows the success of a similar scheme launched last Budget, which earmarked £66m to raise £1.6bn, also over three years.
Chancellor Gordon Brown is reported to be so happy with the way the scheme has progressed that new cash was released.
Stephen Camm, a partner at Big Four firm PricewaterhouseCoopers, said: ‘Last year the Chancellor gave an extra £66 million to the Inland Revenue to strengthen its compliance strategy. Clearly Gordon Brown thinks this is money well spent as he has extended the programme this year.
‘The newly set up Complex Personal Returns and Ex-Patriate offices are the main targets this year. Wealthy individuals can expect the taxman to show even more interest in them from now on.’.