Press release -
Crackdown on the holiday industry
A taskforce tackling tax dodgers in the holiday industry in Blackpool, Lake District, North Wales, Devon and Cornwall, Isles of Scilly, Somerset and South Wales was launched today by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).
The taskforce will recover £5.5 million.
David Gauke, the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, said:
“We are determined to support hardworking people who want to get on in this industry and every other. However, the people being targeted by this taskforce have no intention of playing by the rules. The Government has made it clear that we will not tolerate tax evasion and we have provided HMRC with the resources to crack down on those who break the rules.“
HMRC has collected more than £80 million as a result of taskforces launched since 2011-12. It expects to bring in over £90 million per year from taskforces launched over the next three years.
HMRC’s Jennie Granger, Director General Enforcement and Compliance, said:
“Our message is clear - if you seek to evade tax or defraud the tax system, HMRC can and will track you down. You will face not only a heavy fine, but possibly a criminal prosecution as well.”
Taskforces tackling tax evasion in restaurants in Yorkshire and Humber, road hauliers in the Midlands and the fishing industry in Scotland were also launched today.
If you know anyone who is evading their taxes, you can tell HMRC via the Tax Evasion Hotline by phone, on 0800 788 887, by email or by post.
Notes for editors
- 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.
- HMRC has launched 43 taskforces since 2011. A further 27 are planned for 2013-14 and 30 for 2014-15.
- Taskforces have been made possible by the Government’s £917 million spending review investment to tackle tax evasion, avoidance and fraud from 2011-12, which aims to raise an additional £7 billion each year by 2014-15.
- Follow HMRC on Twitter @HMRCgovuk
- HMRC's flickr channel www.flickr.com/hmrcgovuk
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Issued by HM Revenue & Customs Press Office
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is the UK’s tax authority.
HMRC is responsible for making sure that the money is available to fund the UK’s public services and for helping families and individuals with targeted financial support.
