HMRC

HMRC was forced to ramp up its tax investigations in 2020 and as the furlough scheme comes to an end, some expect the Government to focus on prosecutions. Those who are caught out by this may be hit with costly tax bills.

https://www.express.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/1482952/hmrc-tax-fraud-investigations-furlough-fraudsters

HMRC civil investigations into suspected tax evasion have fallen during the pandemic compared to pre-pandemic levels, according to FOI data obtained by national accountancy group UHY Hacker Young.

https://www.cityam.com/civil-investigations-by-hmrc-fell-during-lockdown/

A Liverpool takeaway boss who failed to declare his true income to evade a £103,551 tax bill has been jailed for two-and-a-half years.

https://www.thecaterer.com/news/hospitality-vat-fraud-jailed-liverpool-hmrc

Mike Kiersey, Principal Technologist, Boomi, details how HMRC can modernise their IT systems to help recoup the billions lost in furlough fraud

https://www.openaccessgovernment.org/furlough-fraud-can-it-modernisation-help-find-hmrcs-lost-27-billion/115880/

A fraudster who stole nearly £1.9 million of taxpayers’ money to fund a lavish lifestyle, including buying three Spanish villas, has been jailed for five-and-a-half years.

https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/crime/2021/08/04/fraudster-who-funded-spanish-villas-with-stolen-money-jailed/

The UK tax authority has opened almost 13,000 probes into businesses that may have abused the government’s coronavirus business support schemes.

https://www.cityam.com/hmrc-launches-13000-investigations-into-potential-covid-support-scheme-fraud/

The number of HMRC-branded phishing scams surged 87% in the past 12 months, according to latest revealed figures

https://www.computerweekly.com/news/252503144/HMRC-branded-phishing-scams-surge-despite-protections

Over £1bn of fraudulent or mistakenly claimed furlough cash is set to be recovered over the next two years, HMRC has said.

https://www.cityam.com/hmrc-set-to-recover-1bn-of-fraudulent-furlough-cash-over-two-years/

The boss of a payroll business has been banned from operating as a company director for 11 years for orchestrating what the government said was a multi-million pound tax avoidance scheme.

https://www.business-live.co.uk/professional-services/accountancy/leicester-company-boss-banned-multi-20782462

Tax credits customers should be vigilant and alert to potential scams, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has warned, as the remaining annual renewal packs will arrive in the post this week.

https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/alert/scams-warning-for-tax-credits-customers