New tax task forces

HMRC has announced its latest taskforces to combat tax evasion, reports Harris & Co Accountants Northampton. 

Taskforces are specialist teams that blitz specific high-risk trade sectors and locations in the UK. The teams may visit traders to examine their records and carry out other investigations; but HMRC should only visit taxpayers where it has evidence of a high risk of tax evasion and fraud. HMRC has launched 35 taskforces since this initiative began in May 2011. 

There are four new taskforces, aimed at: 

• Tax evasion in Northern Ireland.
• Fast food outlets in East Anglia.
• People who make fraudulent tax refund claims in London and the South East.
• The jewellery trade in the Midlands.