HMRC recovers £20 million from Tax Cheats in South Wales and South West England

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) today announced that two taskforces taking on tax cheats in South Wales and South West England have collected over £20 million in just three years.

Activity for both the Restaurant and VAT Fraud Repayment taskforces is ongoing.

Taskforces were first launched in 2011as part of HMRC’s compliance strategy to tackle tax evasion and fraud. Since then, over 120 taskforces have been launched bringing in over £300 million in additional tax.

Russ Casey, Regional Taskforce Project Lead, HMRC, said:

“Two taskforces in South Wales and South West England each reaching the £10 million milestone is fantastic. A small number of people still think they can cheat the tax system, this achievement proves we won’t stop tracking them down and taking back what they owe.”

Notes for editors

1. 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 work involves teams visiting businesses unannounced to examine their records and carry out other tax investigations.
2. The South West and South Wales Restaurants Taskforce has brought in £10,100,460 since being launched in July 2012.
3. The South West and South Wales VAT Fraud Repayment Taskforce has brought in £10,115,426 since being launched in November 2013.
4. The majority of money is recovered through civil processes.
5. HMRC’s Flickr channel www.flickr.com/hmrcgovuk
6. Follow HMRC’s Press Office on Twitter @HMRCpressoffice

Issued by HM Revenue & Customs Press Office