Cabbies suspected of rank tax affairs pulled up in Scotland

A taskforce set up by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to check that taxi operators and drivers have paid the tax they owe, has targeted 36 business premises across Scotland this morning as part of an investigation into suspected tax evasion.

HMRC officers, supported by colleagues from Police Scotland, visited the business premises across the country and uplifted business records for examination.

Michael Connolly, HMRC’s Taskforce Coordinator in Scotland, said:

“Tax evasion is a crime that costs society dearly. While over 90% of people play by the rules and pay their dues, our taskforces target areas where we see a risk that people won’t pay what they owe.

“By working with our partners in Police Scotland we will continue to target anyone evading tax. The public’s help in fighting tax crime is vital, and it can be reported to us on 0800 788 887.”

Detective Inspector Stevie Russell, Specialist Crime Division said:

“Police Scotland welcomes the opportunity to support HMRC in their investigation into suspected tax evasion by taxi operators and drivers. This operation is another demonstration of the multi-agency approach to tackle aspects of serious and organised crime in Scotland”.

Enquiries are ongoing and any evidence of tax evasion can be taken forward either civilly or criminally through the courts.

Notes for editors

1.Follow HMRC’s Press Office on Twitter @HMRCpressoffice

2.HMRC Interventions took place in the following local authority areas:

• Glasgow City Council
• Inverclyde Council
• North Lanarkshire Council
• South Lanarkshire Council
• East Renfrewshire Council
• West Dunbartonshire Council
• Aberdeen City Council
• Aberdeenshire Council
• Dundee City Council
• South Ayrshire Council
• Falkirk Council
• Dumfries and Galloway Council
• Perth and Kinross Council
• Fife Council
• Scottish Borders Council
• Edinburgh City Council

3.Photographs are available at HMRC’s Flickr channel: www.flickr.com/hmrcgovuk

4.This HMRC taskforce was set up to tackle taxi operators and drivers in Scotland not paying what they owe. Those caught out could face a penalty or even a criminal prosecution.

5.HMRC taskforces target specific high-risk sectors where there is a risk that some are not paying the tax they owe. Since Taskforces began in May 2011, over 100 taskforces have been launched, bringing in over £400m.

6.Taskforces bring together various HMRC compliance and enforcement teams for intensive bursts of activity targeted at specific sectors and locations where there is evidence of high risk of tax evasion and fraud. The teams visit traders to examine their records and carry out other investigations.

7.HMRC has recently launched a Hidden Wealth taskforce in Scotland aimed at uncovering undeclared assets or income.