HMRC

Business Woman

HMRC has been inundated with calls from the general public over suspicions of tax evasion during the past 12 months, with this being attributed to the decision to set up a hotline for Covid-19 fraud cases.

Research undertaken by UHY Hacker Young shows that there were 107,000 reports about possible tax evasion made during that period. The company is suggesting that both the launch of the Covid-19 fraud helpline and the decision by HMRC to make it a 24-hour service account for much of this increased activity.

However, it has also acknowledged that the general public is much more aware of tax fraud since the last financial crisis and also much less willing to tolerate it. The company points out that there has been a rise in the numbers prepared to contact HMRC to report the issue as a consequence of that.

It can be very worrying for a business or individual to find themselves accused of tax fraud, but using an accountant that specialises in tax return services in Goole or wherever they happen to be based will reduce the risk of it.

Speaking to Accountancy Today, UHY Hacker Young partner Phil Kinzett-Evans said:

“Individuals that have been involved in tax evasion ought to make a disclosure to HMRC at the earliest opportunity and seek specialist advice in the process.”

Kinzett-Evans went on to add that the tax body would much less willing to be understanding towards those that took the opposite tack of staying silent and trying to cover up evidence of this behaviour.

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