HMRC names tax cheats for first time
Having been encouraged to earlier in the week by MPs, HM Revenue & Customs publishes a list of deliberate tax defaulters
HM REVENUE & CUSTOMS have today published the names of tax defaulters on their website for the first time.
The publication is part of HMRC’s efforts to combat tax evasion and non-compliance and to ensure everyone pays the correct amount of tax.
HMRC has been allowed to publish the names in order to deter UK tax payers from deliberately avoiding their tax obligations. It is hoped the non-compliant will be encouraged to make a full disclosure at the outset of an investigation, as this would prevent their details from being published.
The publication has come soon after Margaret Hodge, Public Accounts Committee chair and Labour MP, claimed that a “name and shame” system would “discourage” deliberate tax defaulters.
David Gauke, exchequer secretary to the Treasury said HMRC is “dedicated to clamping down on the small minority of people who break the law” and finding and taking action against tax cheats who try to “evade their responsibilities“.
He added: “The publication of these names sends a clear signal that cheating on tax is wrong and reassures people who pay their taxes – the vast majority – that there are consequences for those who refuse to tell HMRC about their full liability.”
The first publication of deliberate defaulters can be found here.
HMRC will update the list of those published on its website each quarter.